Chief of Party, Localization Support Activity

Pact seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the USAID/Cambodia Localization Support Activity. The purpose of the Activity is to support USAID/Cambodia efforts to ensure that local actors are leading Cambodia’s development. Primary services under the prospective activity will cover the three categories: support for Mission staff to improve local partnership; monitoring, evaluation and learning; and capacity strengthening for local actors. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity (2024-2029).

The COP will supervise all activities related to this program and have overall responsibility for the technical assistance team’s successful performance. The COP will provide strategic leadership and bear primary responsibility for all administrative requirements of the award, ensuring that quarterly key performance indicators, objectives, and deliverables for the project are met.

The COP will be accountable for ensuring the project follows USAID regulations, the contract, and Pact policies. The COP will serve as the official representative of Pact for this activity and be primarily responsible for liaising with high-level USAID and government officials, and forging alliances with a myriad of businesses, organizations and stakeholders and managing multiple offices. This position is contingent upon award and is anticipated to be based in Phnom Penh.

Key Responsibilities

The COP will be accountable for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Cambodia Localization Support Activity. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/Cambodia development objectives. The COP will take a leadership role in coordination of all activities across all relevant parties including USAID, the Government of Cambodia, civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities.

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are:

• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s overall strategy.
• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters.
• Act as a liaison to relevant ministries within the Government of Cambodia to ensure smooth implementation of the project while laying the groundwork for sustainability.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements and oversee a complexity-aware monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.
• Work closely with the project’s Key personnel, technical staff and other subcontractors to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (e.g., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (e.g., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the Finance/Operations Manager to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources. Ensure that the program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes. Ensure the project has contingency plans, monitor risk indicators, and provide timely recommendations to ensure the successful control and mitigation of risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure the enhancement of gender initiatives to elevate inclusion and participation at every level and across all facets of Capacity Strengthening programming, with a commitment to ensuring safety.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in capacity development and civil society strengthening.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree with eleven (11) years work experience or bachelor’s degree with at least thirteen (13+) years work experience. Graduate degree in public health or relevant field strongly preferred.
• At least six (6+) years management experience, preferably as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on donor-funded projects, preferably for USAID programs.
• At least 10 years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to capacity development activities.
• Experience building capacity for civil society organizations and/or local government and/or media actors in Southeast Asia, with a strong preference for Cambodia.
• USAID contract management experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements. Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners with conflict sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including local organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and US Government agencies.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading).
• Ability to travel within Cambodia and occasionally internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
• Cambodian nationals strongly encouraged to apply.
• Knowledge of Khmer language is a plus but not required.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.
At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8% to 13% based on service tenure) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.
With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Pact seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Pact. Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.