Chief of Party – Zimbabwe

Background

SoCha LLC is preparing a response to provide Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and technical services to the USAID/Zimbabwe Mission under an anticipated MEL activity. The anticipated objectives of the Activity will be to assist the Mission with strategy and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning, improve knowledge management, enhance the use of data and evidence in programmatic decision-making, and improve the Mission’s and implementing partners’ MEL capacity.

SoCha is seeking a qualified individual to fill the role of Chief of Party (COP). The COP position will be full-time and based in Harare. This role is for a proposal position and is contingent on award and funding.

Scope of Work

The COP will serve as the leader of the project team. S/he will be responsible for the overall implementation and management of the Activity. Essential functions include:

• Provide strategic direction and managerial oversight of the project.
• Provide overall responsibility for all data collection, analysis, monitoring and evaluation, report generation, learning and dissemination activities, and related tasks.
• Serve as the primary point of contact to USAID staff, implementing partners, host country officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure quality control and the overall responsiveness of all contract deliverables.
• Responsible for making key decisions and solving problems in short time frames while ensuring operational and program integrity.
• Responsible for management, oversight, and reporting of Contractor’s implementation, progress, and quality of performance in meeting the required tasks.
• Ensure cost effective management, identifying issues and risks related to contract management in a timely manner.
• Manage the activity’s financial resources in accordance with the project budget as well as USAID policies and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, statistics, economics, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated relevant project management experience in developing countries, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated knowledge of performance monitoring and data collection methods, evaluation designs, knowledge management, and/or adaptive management processes is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading international donor MEL projects is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-cultural project teams with diverse backgrounds and skills.
• Experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders, including donor/development organizations, government officials, civil society leaders, community leaders, and project beneficiaries.
• Strong interpersonal and oral presentation skills.
• Previous experience working for USAID-funded complex projects strongly preferred.
• Working experience in Zimbabwe or within Southern Africa is desired.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

Location

Harare, Zimbabwe with travel in the country at times.