Chief of Party I, Supporting Transformation for Afghanistan’s Recovery (STAR) Consortium

Position description

Supporting Transformation for Afghanistan’s Recovery (STAR) Consortium project:

STAR is a high-profile, multi-sectoral project implemented by a consortium of 6 INGOs led by CRS which aims to build the resilience of households in some of the poorest and most conflict-affected districts across Afghanistan. The initial, $20 million phase of the project took place from February 2021 – September 2023 and reached 110,323 direct participants (52% M, 48% F) and 605,392 indirect project participants across 324 communities in 9 provinces. The project team strengthened the food and livelihood security of community members through resilience-focused agricultural and livestock support, business training and value-chain activities, and skill-building and linkages to markets. The project also supported to improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene and helped improve child protection networks and well-being of children and youth.

CRS is preparing for an extension of the project that will focus on strengthening the resilience and capacities of civilian victims of conflict through livelihoods interventions. Through this $8.3 million, 15-month cost extension, STAR will finish up WASH activities and support an estimated 7500 new individuals across approx. 3 provinces to increase income, restore livelihoods and enhance resilience. The extension will build upon successes and learning from the first phase of the project. The program strategy will be informed by an in-depth conflict-sensitive livelihoods assessment and refined through a co-design process with USAID and other stakeholders. Additionally, the extension will have a strong focus on gender and protection considerations as well as local leadership and coordination with existing local actors, organizations, and groups.

Job Summary:

As Chief of Party I you will provide overall leadership, management, and technical oversight to this complex consortium project. The Chief of Party I will look for ways to advance local leadership and catalyze outcomes at scale in the way the consortium is structured and planning for results. The Chief of Party I will ensure that the management structure of STAR streamlines technical and operational oversight, supports local capacity building, and strengthens coordination and communication to enable quality program implementation and good stewardship of resources.

Your leadership, management, and technical skills and knowledge will ensure that the CRS and STAR implementing partners deliver high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of its resilience and recovery programming and advance the position of CRS as a leading agency in conflict-sensitive programming. As a senior leader you will proactively manage security and mitigate security risks.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the development, implementation, and consolidation of the STAR project, including sharing how the project contributes to the thought leadership of the industry. Provide management, guidance, and technical oversight of the USAID-funded STAR project throughout the project cycle to ensure project design, start-up, implementation, and close-out are in line with CRS quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices;
• Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID as well as public, private and non-government stakeholders;
• Ensure the project is designed and implemented to meet donor expectations in terms of timely and quality results and budget, including strategies for phase out and sustainability. Ensure coordination between program and operations leads. Ensure the CRS program quality standards are adhered to per MEAL policy and procedures;
• Oversee the design and implementation of a conflict-sensitive livelihoods assessment and lead a co-creation process with USAID, STAR implementing partners and other stakeholders to develop program implementation strategy based on findings;
• Coordinate with the MEAL team to oversee the design and implementation of the MEAL system for the entire consortium, using appropriate forms, procedures, and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting, and reporting outcomes. Coordinate with USAID’s Third Party Monitoring (TPM) organization on the preparation and implementation of TPM visits to program activities; respond to any findings that emerge from these visits;
• Lead collaboration, learning and adaptation for the STAR consortium – identify opportunities for learning, reflection, and adaptive management, ensuring integration of innovations and best practices. Coordinate any thematic working groups and learning initiatives for the consortium;
• Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations, including organization of review/planning workshops. Contribute to coordination of the roles and activities of staff from other consortium member organizations in implementation in line with CRS partnership principles;
• Effectively manage senior programming and operations talent. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching and mentoring. Strategically tailor individual development plans and complete performance assessments for direct reports. Oversee the development of staffing plans and the recruitment process of senior staff;
• Oversee technical assistance and capacity strengthening activities for the STAR Consortium, especially for the area of livelihoods for staff and partner organizations to enhance program quality and impact;
• Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures in line with financial plans and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources. Ensure compliance with the USAID cooperative agreement, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration, and reporting to USAID;
• Coordinate with consortium partners to manage and mitigate risk through monitoring national and regional issues that may impact staff and programming. Ensure all staff understand and adhere to CRS staff safety and security policies and plans, and ensure the updating of such plans;
• Promote, uphold and model a commitment to the efficient use of agency and donor resources. Ensure compliance with USAID grants, including financial tracking and oversight of partner budgets, finance, administration and reporting to USAID. Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors;
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing of ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies. Identify performance gaps and training opportunities for CRS and partner staff and ensure the design and delivery of high quality training and technical assistance;
• Oversee the development of communication strategies and materials, complying with donor and CRS’ branding and marketing requirements and procedures.

Required Languages:

• Very strong oral and written English language skills. Knowledge of Dari/Pashto a plus.

Travel:

• Position is based in Kabul but must be willing and able to travel to Herat and Ghor provinces where CRS implements STAR activities, and potentially to other provinces where consortium partners will implement activities, with up to 25% within Afghanistan.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• TBC based on revised management structure of the consortium. Likely direct reports will include the consortium MEAL Manager, Finance Officer, and Technical Advisors.

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Heads of Office, Head of Operations, Technical Advisers, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality (DRD/PQ), Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRD/Ops), and Finance Managers;
• External: Consortium INGOs, donor representatives, government representatives (national, provincial and district levels); other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions;
• Strong relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship;
• Team leadership abilities with diverse/multi-disciplinary teams. Coaching skills;
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences;
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications:

• Masters degree in International Development, International Relations or a relevant technical area. PhD preferred;
• 7 or more years’ relevant management and technical experience;
• 5 years experience managing donor funds, including multi country grants. Strong knowledge and experience in budget management;
• 5 years of staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment. Experience coaching senior program staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Recognized leader in sector as demonstrated by peer reviewed publications, conference presentations etc.;
• Demonstrated experience of successful program management, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics;
• Experience engaging partners and strengthening partnerships. Knowledge of CRS partnership strategy a plus;
• Ability to represent and present at high levels;
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.

Application instructions

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