Chief of Party, USAID-funded Monitoring, Evaluation, Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation Platform (MECLA-P)

About LINC

LINC is a mission-driven small business headquartered in Washington, DC dedicated to strengthening local actors and systems. At LINC, we believe that a practical approach to engaging committed, capable local actors increase international development effectiveness and sustainability. The recipient of USAID’s “Small Business of the Year” award in 2017, we are a team of reflective practitioners, passionate and energetic in our work, and committed to locally led development. We have developed ground-breaking tools to map organizational networks, measure social capital, and leverage systems-based approaches to development. We partner with major universities, foundations, local NGOs and consulting firms, USAID, and FCDO among others. Our country experience spans Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. For more information on LINC, please visit www.linclocal.org.

Purpose of Project

The overall purpose of MECLA-P is to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) systems and capacity, which USAID/Guatemala and its implementers need to generate and use evidence throughout implementation of the mission’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The work undertaken by MECLA-P will be driven by mission needs and will cover the breadth of the mission’s current and future programs. MECLA-P will assist with designing and carrying out monitoring; evaluations, assessments, and studies; and collaboration and capacity strengthening for the USAID/Guatemala mission and, when appropriate, implementers, and other key stakeholders, in line with USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) 201, Evaluation Policy, and other relevant agency policies and guidance.

Position Description

LINC is seeking a Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID-funded Monitoring, Evaluation, Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation Platform (MECLA-P) in Guatemala. The Chief of Party will provide overall leadership, day-to-day management, and technical direction for the activity. They will ensure high quality of program deliverables, serve as chief liaison for USAID/Guatemala and key external stakeholders, and build the capacity of local staff and partners. This is a proposal position contingent upon USAID award.

** Guatemalan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply**

Responsibilities:

• Provide vision and leadership of the Activity, including program planning, technical execution, financial management, and operations.
• Manage, train and mentor staff, ensuring seamless coordination among activity components.
• Ensure timely provision of responsive, high-quality deliverables from staff, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of performance and impact evaluations, sector assessments, baseline assessments, evaluations, research and analysis, third-party monitoring, MEL capacity strengthening, collaborating, learning, and adapting, and data management.
• Coordinate and provide MEL and CLA technical assistance and capacity strengthening to USAID/Guatemala staff, implementing partners, and other stakeholders, such as the Government of Guatemala.
• Establish and maintain relationships, coordinate, and consult with key stakeholders, including USAID, Government of Guatemala, implementing partners, and civil society, and other key stakeholders and audiences as required.
• Model integrity in all actions and ensure an inclusive and ethical team environment.

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidates should have:

• A master’s degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of demonstrated experience supporting complex donor-funded programs, ideally USAID. Prior experience as a COP or Deputy Chief of Party strongly preferred.
• Proven USAID and external stakeholder relations, team leadership, and strategic management skills.
• At least five years of experience related to research, evaluation, statistics and/or monitoring projects related to development.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills required.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish.
• Prior experience working in Guatemala or Latin America required.
• Understanding USAID regulations and policies, including the Automated Directives System 201, the Evaluation Policy, and the Local Capacity Strengthening Policy.

Submit a copy of your updated resume with “Chief of Party, Guatemala” to stesfagiorgis@linclocal.org