EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.   

Project Description

The USAID Youth for Empowerment Activity will reach 25,000 South Sudanese youth in 13 counties across five states (Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Western Bahr el Ghazal) over a four-year period. This community-based intervention will establish a vibrant Youth Corps and support local organizations enhance youth-friendly service offerings. The USAID Youth for Empowerment Activity will tailor its intervention to meet the realities of each implementation area and to best support a diverse group of youth with varied capacities and aspirations to reach their full potential. 

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the project. The COP will serve as the principle institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. The COP will manage staff and ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the activity. The COP should have demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines and budget.

The candidate for the position of Chief of Party shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Master’s degree in Education, Public Administration, International Development or a related field, or comparable number of years of professional experience corresponding to this position.

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in education and/or youth development or directly related field;
• At least 5 years of relevant management, supervisory, or technical experience working with programs that are of a similar scope to this activity;
• Demonstrated success in managing complex international programs in a context similar to South Sudan;
• Experience with USAID programs and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations desired;
• Strong leadership, administrative, management, presentation, reporting, and communication (both oral and written) skills and the ability to implement projects with diverse subject matter;
• Demonstrated experience of successful interactions, coordination and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders (host government, US and international donors, youth, private sector, etc.) desired;
• Ability to perform at a high level and apply diplomacy skills with a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., USG embassy personnel, host-country Ministry officials, local education and youth agencies and centers, private sector, donors, youth beneficiaries);
• Demonstrated ability to work in an ambiguous and rapidly evolving environment, must be comfortable with constant change of local leadership / partners, and multiple, competing priorities;
• Experience working in youth, workforce development, social behavioral change or non-formal education desired;
• Experience working in South Sudan required.

Language:

Fluency in English required. Arabic language ability, a plus.

EDC’s approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion is grounded in EDC’s commitment to respect the dignity of each individual. EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services and products, which contribute to building capacity and transforming lives.  

Total Rewards: 
EDC offers the following comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous vacation benefits for full- and part-time employees
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition and transportation reimbursement
• Robust retirement plan with TIAA/CREF (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund
• Paid sick time and up to 16 hours of personal time annually
• Parental leave
• Employee assistance program