The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded on a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, conducting law school accreditation, developing model ethics codes and more. Today, the ABA remains a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law at home and across the globe.
The ABA recognizes the value staff contribute to our success through a generous benefits package that protects their health and their financial security. The ABA’s wide array of benefit offerings include 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the American Bar Association, which offers additional benefits.
The Chief of Party (COP) III is responsible for strategic direction, technical leadership, overall management oversight of one or several programs. The COP III will ensure high-quality program(s) implementation, with a focus on achieving the program goals. S/he/they will take a leadership role in coordinating all activities across all relevant parties, including the donor, the host Government, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.
The COP III will oversee the management and performance of subgrantees or subcontractors as part of the regular program work plan. The COP III oversees the performance of multiple short-term experts as part of the regular program work plan.
The COP III is responsible for strategic direction and leadership of business development efforts, capturing needs, liaising with stakeholders and donors, leading proposal development, and drafting technical input on proposals responsive to the unique legal, political, and operational climate of the assigned country(ies). S/he is also responsible for identifying new opportunities to provide sustainability to the programs.
S/he also plays significant role in the organization’s thought leadership strategy, through publications, speeches, representation in global forums, and/or influencing policy and practice in the field.
The COP III actively participates in major international conferences and events, playing a key role in shaping organization’s global presence and impact.
The COP III is responsible for managing all personnel under her/his/their authority including ensuring compliance with all ABA policies and systems.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
- Manages all facets of the international development program cycle, from assessment or inception to design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Actively applies knowledge of international development industry practices, actors, and trends as well as expertise in rule of law and/or adjacent fields, as applicable, to design and execute international program(s) and interface effectively with donors, headquarters staff, and local counterparts.
- Applies fundamental program management principles, practices, and standards and knowledge of the program cycle, from assessment to design and implementation through evaluation in the management of technical and financial aspects of programs.
- Provides flexible, adaptive, and responsive leadership and management for the program(s).
- Represents ABA CGP in presentations/briefings to donors, government officials, partners and law practitioners, both within and outside of the host country.
- Successfully leads the startup and close out of multi-year field programs, including sub-awardees, on schedule. Manages complex technical and financial aspects of programs, including those of sub-awardees to meet targets while effectively utilizing donor funds.
- Sets a high standard for accountability and quality in program performance and reporting. Ensures processes for monitoring and reporting are in place for successful implementation. Regularly reviews progress reporting against targets. Emphasizes tracking of progress against accomplishment of program outcomes. Approves data for reporting period in assigned country(ies) in accordance with all ABA policies and systems.
- Sets an example for the program in seeking evidence and incorporating evidence in decision making. Ensures program data is used for reflection and adaptations are proposed based on learning. Provides senior manager level review to evaluation and learning deliverables of the program.
- Maintains in-country donor relationships and leads donor and key partner conversations on important programmatic activities in collaboration with headquarters team. In collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) lead, develops strategic partnerships and establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners (e.g., local bar association, law schools, NGOs, civil society, governmental agencies, UN, INGOs, etc.) to fulfill program objectives within cost constraints.
- Provides ideas to guide current and new areas of intervention. Stays abreast of latest innovations in rule of law programming or adjacent fields. Meets with new and potential donors and staff to assess ABA ’s opportunity for new programming, either through expansion of current agreements or development of new agreements.
- Actively seeks and captures new business opportunities in the assigned country(ies) and keeps HQ staff informed about them. Works with the PMU and BD teams to provides strategic direction and leadership for all development efforts in the assigned country(ies), engaging in high-level negotaitions, fostering partnerships with major donors and organizations, and identifying new opportunities for the organization. Leads and reviews entire proposals.
- As needed, trains program staff and external stakeholders on ROL and/or adjacent issues related to the program(s) managed.
- Reviews and advises on program activities to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, and periodic program highlights.
- Drafts, reviews, and manages budgeting and financial reports for field office staff and operations. This includes but is not limited to Expense Reports, timekeeping systems, HQ financial reporting and requests, and budgets for cost extensions, and new programs. Ensures that financial reporting requirements and deadlines are met. Exhibits ethical financial decision making in all aspects of operations.
- Oversees the local workforce to ensure that they adhere to ABA policies, systems, and procedures related to compliance requirements. Applies donor rules and regulations, as well as the terms or conditions set forth by the donor found in the cooperative agreement/contract.
- Oversees the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, as applicable and an organizational culture where ABA’s values are practiced.
- Works in tandem with HR Division on all staff matters, ensuring adherence to ABA HR policies, processes and practices. Keeps abreast of local employment laws and HR trends in the assigned country(ies). Manages staff and is responsible for staff performance evaluations, oversees staff timekeeping, is responsible for recruitment efforts in the assigned program(s).
- Ensures staff are aware and follow the labor law requirements set forth in the Local Office Policy Manual (LOPM) and is responsible for enforcement of the standards contained in the document.
- Ensures adequate oversight of HR matters, follows established recruitment processes and maintains sound HR practices, including management of HR files and Personally Identifiable information (PII), maintaining accurate time and attendance records; enforcing open and transparent recruitment processes; etc.
- Applies applicable GESI policies in the recruitment, management and retention of staff.
- Reviews and approves the program(s) procurement documents following ABA procurement requirements. Understands and applies procurement industry standards and best value for goods and services.
- Ensures adherence to safety and security protocols including a basic understanding of cyber security principles. Ensures staff are aware of and follow the safety and security protocols set forth in the Field Office Security Manual (FOSM). Carries out active drills and security protocols in collaboration with the PMU and HQ Security Director.
- Maintains an awareness and understanding of the economic, political, social, and security trends that have potential to impact the office’s operations and technical programing. He/She/They shall be prepared to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact on operations and technical programming.
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Required Education, Qualifications, Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant area.
- At least 12 years of professional experience in an international development setting with at least 10 years in a leadership position.
- Significant overseas experience with managing a similar size program(s)/portfolio.
- At least 9 years of supervisory experience.
- Has significant prior experience working as an international development professional abroad in a leadership role in more than one jurisdiction.
- High levels of knowledge and skills in financial management, HR, and compliance with the relevant donor policies and regulations.
- Knowledge of and experience of MEL practices and systems.
- Demonstratable experience in leading business development efforts and proposal writing.
- Experience in supervision of teams of individuals from different backgrounds and skillset.
- Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data, and evidence from programmatic activities and external sources to oversee all activities and lead high level technical presentations on subject matter expertise.
- Significant experience starting and closing out field programs.
- Excellent written and spoken English language skills with the ability to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, periodic program highlights and business development concept notes and proposals.
- High levels of understanding of the program(s)/portfolio subject matter expertise.
- High degree of experience starting up and closing out field programs.
- Previous experience applying FAR, acquisition regulations, or CFR 200 to donor-funded programs successfully.
Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience
- JD or MA in a relevant area. Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or master’s degree in a relevant area. NOTE: If the law degree is from a non-U.S. law school, the degree may not be required to be from an ABA-accredited law school.
- 14 overall years of professional experience.
- At least 12 years of experience in a leadership position.
- Relevant country or regional experience and language skills.
- Previous experience in managing similar size programs/portfolio with USG donors.
- Has written publication-ready pieces on rule of law issues and/or adjacent fields.
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