FHI 360 is currently recruiting for the position of Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Cambodia called the USAID Employ Activity. FHI 360 anticipates that the Activity will develop and implement workforce development programming to ready Cambodia’s emerging workforce with the skills and knowledge that are needed to compete for and thrive in the jobs of tomorrow. To this end, the Employ Activity will directly and indirectly through local partners such as NGOs, private businesses, universities, and vocational training institutions to equip Cambodians with job skills that are tailored to sectors that will drive inclusive and sustainable growth and economic diversification over the coming decade. USAID Employ’s programming will emphasize improving the capabilities of women and youth in science, technology, and innovation, concentrating on areas like the green economy, STEM-related fields, digital technology, and manufacturing, among others.

USAID has provided the following theory of change for the Employ Activity: if youth proficiency in the skills and qualifications desired by emerging industries is enhanced, and connections and partnerships between local institutions and key businesses in these sectors are fostered to help provide clear career pathways into growing areas of the economy, then young Cambodians will have increased economic opportunities, and Cambodian institutions will have greater capacity to adapt to changing workforce development needs.

Job Summary:

The COP will be responsible for developing and maintaining the overall technical vision, strategy, and direction of the Employ Activity, assuming responsibility for design, delivery, and progress measurement against the approved work plan, and reporting against the performance monitoring plan. The COP will work with the senior management team to ensure the overall planning, implementation, and management of the Activity, and the establishment an efficient administrative framework to monitor and assure progress toward achieving activity goals and objectives. The COP will regularly interface with USAID on management and decision-making while ensuring that interventions meet USAID’s and other stakeholders’ expectations, and that the Activity’s results and learning products are proactively disseminated.

The COP will be responsible for ensuring the timely and quality completion of all activity technical and financial deliverables and reports in accordance with USAID guidelines; assisting with analysis and communications regarding resource management; and coordinating with Mission and other donor initiatives. The COP will serve as the leadership and public face of project initiatives in public communication, outreach, and networking. The COP will also be expected to identify and mitigate issues and risks related to the activity implementation in a timely manner.

FHI 360 expects that the COP will reside permanently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with travel throughout the country. Employment is contingent upon successful award of the project to FHI 360, as well as USAID approval of the finalist.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead FHI 360’s team and serve as the primary point of contact with USAID regarding the day-to-day activity implementation and management matters relating to the project.
• Ensure that all assistance provided by the project is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel and consultants.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for information on the progress and current status of all project activities.
• Establish appropriate monitoring mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported and that project objectives are met.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of work plans, M&E plans, and all reports.
• Facilitate ongoing project learning and adaptive management.
• Ensure that solid relationships are built and maintained between and among FHI 360 and sub-awardee project staff, USAID, and key local stakeholders and partners.

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of experience successfully managing complex international development programs of similar complexity, budget, and scope (including technical leadership, implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing), and at least 8 years of line management experience;
• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in a relevant field with commensurate work experience required; master’s degree from an accredited university in a relevant field preferred;
• At least 5 years of management experience in the Cambodian private sector (namely, those prioritized by USAID for Employ Activity support, see background section above) highly preferred;
• At least 5 years of experience managing projects funded by USAID or other donors, and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations highly preferred;