Chief of Party, USAID/Bangladesh Multispecies Biodiversity Conservation Activity

at Winrock International (View all jobs)

The Chief of Party will be responsible for overall project management, administration, and implementation of the anticipated project. S/he will maintain systems for project operations; ensure that all award deadlines are met, and targets are achieved; oversee field staff; and coordinate and maintain working relationships with project stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector firms and industry groups, subgrantees and/or subcontractors, other development projects, short-term technical assistance providers, and local institutions. S/he will lead collaborative initiatives to ensure all approaches are sustainable, inclusive, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based.

This position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is contingent upon award.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordination:

• Serve as the principal liaison with the donor, key government officials, and international and local organizations, representing Winrock International.
• Coordinate and collaborate with conservation organizations, private sector firms, community members, industry groups, government counterparts, other donor projects and funders, research institutes, and other relevant parties to leverage resources and maximize results.

Technical:

• Lead the development of sustainable strategies to improve protection of key species and their habitat including tigers, elephants, pangolins, turtles (fresh and saltwater), tortoises, sharks, rays, and another crucial species in Bangladesh.
• Provide technical direction to diagnostics and assessments for evaluating threats to species and habitat.
• Design and lead interventions that sustainably build the capacity of staff and key stakeholders in communities, national and local organizations, the private sector, government, academic institutions, and processors.
• Monitor project performance through indicators and evaluate program effectiveness and results.
• Apply a collaborative learning and adaptive management approach to iteratively evaluate project results and impact.
• Institute adjustments to replicate and scale successful activities and course correct activities that are not yielding desired results.
• Oversee and contribute to annual deliverables communication products that showcase the progress of activities and achievement of program results to USAID and the general public.

Administration and Leadership:

• Provide high-level oversight for project administrative functions including financial management, human resources and procurement while ensuring compliance with Winrock policies and principles and USAID rules and regulations.
• Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff and technical consultants.
• Maintain close communication with Winrock home office and USAID to provide ongoing, informal updates of project progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:

• Academic degree in biodiversity conservation, biology, forestry, environmental management, international development, or related field. Master’s degree or higher strongly preferred.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing complex biodiversity conservation or sustainable natural resource -related development programs.
• At least 5 years previous executive experience managing programs of similar scope, size and complexity. Experience managing USAID-funded programs highly preferred.
• Experience working in Bangladesh.
• Experience training, managing, and coaching project staff and partners on systems-based interventions required.
• Experience operationalizing iterative learning systems consistent with the collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) framework.
• Experience designing and implementing services and/or activities to reach women, youth, and marginalized communities, in particular within ecologically sensitive areas.
• Experience developing partnerships with and supporting government and private sector actors.
• Experience in financial management and oversight, ensuring implementation remains within scope, time, and budget of similar size projects.
• Experience leading locally led solutions a plus.

Skills:

• Ability to supervise, challenge, and build capacity of staff and coordinate activities with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to build coalitions and networks with private sector actors that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions.
• Must be comfortable in a high-level representational role as well as interacting with partners and participants.
• Sound knowledge of international donor contracts and cooperative agreements, financial and accounting regulations, and procedures, particularly USAID regulations.
• Demonstrated understanding of USG M&E frameworks and reporting systems. Skills in knowledge management, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and data analysis preferred.
• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills are required.
• Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are required.
• Fluency in English required, proficiency in Bangla preferred.

About Winrock International

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.

At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.