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.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The objective of the upcoming five year, $45-$50 million USAID-funded Youth Resilience Activity (YRA) is to support youth in high-risk environments of Colombia to reach their full potential as safe, productive, healthy, and engaged participants with positive enabling environments where violence is prevented, and risks associated with crime are mitigated. Youth in high-risk environments for this Activity include disengaged child soldiers, former youth offenders, youth in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions, youth in migrant receptor communities, youth vulnerable to recruitment and utilization, and youth survivors and/or at risk of GBV and intra-family violence. The project will comprise a combination of violence prevention, youth workforce development, psycho-social support and life skills, family strengthening, community engagement, and private sector partnership activities.

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) will provide technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. S/he will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders, including the Colombian government. S/he will manage staff and ensure YRA meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under Youth Resilience Activity. S/he will also ensure contextually-appropriate and effective Do No Harm strategies to minimize risk to program participants, staff, and partners.

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

Education:  Master’s degree in economics, business, international development, public policy, education, or other relevant field.

Skills and Experience:

• 10+ years related experience (or 8+ years related experience with PhD), preferably in the areas of violence prevention, demand-driven youth employment and workforce development, child protection, or positive youth development;
• 8 years supervisory/project management experience, including senior management/leadership positions on projects of comparable size;
• Specific technical expertise relevant to violence prevention and/or cross-sectoral youth programming preferred;
• Experience in the youth development and/or violence prevention sector in Latin America (ideally in Colombia) with ample experience in project implementation strongly preferred;
• Experience working in conflict-affected environments required, with experience in violence prevention and/or countering violent extremism (CVE) programming strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to navigate complex policy issues related to violence prevention, workforce development, community development, partnerships with private sector actors, etc.;
• Experience implementing activities using an adaptive and trauma-informed approach;
• Proven experience in child protection, gender, and social inclusion is highly desired;
• Demonstrated ability to engage a variety of stakeholders, including national and sub-national government ministries, donors and implementers, private sector and employers, local NGOs, faith and community leaders, and others;
• Experience managing and implementing USAID programs preferred, including knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations;
• Capacity to work in difficult conditions and function well under pressure;
• Extensive international experience and experience in a developing country required; and
• Colombia experience strongly preferred.

Language:  Fluency in English and Spanish are required.

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer 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, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.