Chief of Party - Madagascar - LOVA

  • Full-time

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. 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.   

Job Description

Project Description 

The main purpose of the USAID Lova activity is to strengthen traditional and non-traditional learning systems and evidence-based instruction to ultimately improve the foundational skills of Malagasy learners in formal public primary schools, with an emphasis on foundational reading skills and inclusion of numeracy and socio-emotional learning.

Position Description 

The Chief of Party (COP) must provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for this activity and will serve as the primary authority for all decision making related to this activity. The COP must be the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters. The COP will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the activity and has the overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound, justifiable and measurable against activity objectives and targets. The COP will supervise activity implementation and ensure the activity meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The COP must take a leadership role in coordination and communication among USAID and key stakeholders, including the Government of Madagascar, other donors, the private sector, civil society and other relevant implementing partners.

Essential Functions

The Chief of Party’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following activities:

  • Oversee the operational and technical compliance of the project including, the coordination of program activities among a diverse group of stakeholders and beneficiaries including the Ministry of Education, civil society, and other partners and stakeholders.
  • Provide principal leadership and guidance across all technical and functional areas including technical implementation, monitoring and evaluation, finance, operations, reporting, communications, and human resources.
  • Create and maintain relationships with USAID, the Government of Madagascar, local and international partners and key stakeholders.
  • Oversight of operational, financial and administrative compliance of the project aligned with standard organizational operating procedures to ensure continuity and best practices to project outcomes and regulations are successfully achieved.
  • Oversee the completion of all technical requirements, including project results and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan.
  • Strategically collaborate with multi-sectoral and education partners including the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, Health, as well as UNICEF, the World Food Program, the World Bank and others.
  • Manage technical and operations personnel, as well as subcontractors and grantees in the implementation of the project to improve student learning outcomes.

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

Qualifications

Education: 

Master’s degree in public administration, international development, education management or a field relevant to this activity.

Skills and Experience:  

  • Minimum 10 years of international development experience managing projects directly related to education with relevant management, supervisory and technical experience working with programs of a similar scope to this activity;
  • Minimum 7 of 10 years international development experience in a senior management or leadership role
  • Ability to manage a diverse team according to EDC’s principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Ability to advise host country contacts at the ministerial level and create and maintain effective working relations with international and local stakeholders;
  • Proven track record and experience in project design, policy dialogue, and implementation of education.
  • Ability to travel within Madagascar
  • A good understanding of the local context; and
  • Excellent communication skills and writing ability in English and French.

Language:   

  • Fluency in English and French (written and oral)

Additional Information

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.