Chief of Party

SCOPE AND PURPOSE:

USAID Advancing Nutrition is USAID’s flagship multi-sectoral nutrition project, led by the JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), and a diverse group of experienced partners. Launched in September 2018, USAID Advancing Nutrition implements and provides technical support to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for USAID and its partners. The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws together global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition. Committed to using a systems approach, USAID Advancing Nutrition strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity, and advance development.

In Burkina Faso, USAID Advancing Nutrition will work to: strengthen institutional capacity of the government and stakeholders for the development, implementation, and accountability of nutrition interventions; strengthen country understanding, use, and monitoring of data-driven investment in nutrition, including reinforcing already existing multi-sectoral nutrition information systems; and support social and behavior change nutrition interventions.

SUMMARY

The Chief of Party (COP) is the project’s most senior representative in Burkina Faso, ensuring the technical and programmatic integrity of the project’s work and the timely, quality delivery of project activities per approved work plans. The COP will manage relationships and facilitate strategic partnerships with the Government of Burkina Faso, USAID, and other partners working in multi-sectoral nutrition. S/he will ensure that USAID Advancing Nutrition activities align with government and USAID priorities. This position is based in Ouagadougou. This position is responsible for 5 components: Project Leadership, Strategy and Vision, Program Management, Team Management, Compliance and Representation.

Preferred candidates will be Burkinabè or authorized to work in Burkina Faso.

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Oversees the development of annual, integrated strategic work plans for the project.

• Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and foster an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

• Oversees project start-up and all aspects of technical and operational project management of Advancing Nutrition in the Burkina Faso.

• Leads the development of detailed implementation plans, based on annual strategic work plans. Leads the overall planning, coordination, and technical direction of activities, including strategic planning, work plan and budget development.

• Oversees production and dissemination of quarterly, annual, and other ad hoc reports on activities and results, capturing project performance and impact.

• Recruits and manage a team with the quality and technical capacity necessary for successful implementation of project activities.

• Creates and sustains a work environment of mutual respect between team members.

• Promotes accountability, communicates expectations, and provides constructive feedback via regular performance reviews. Takes prompt action to address issues of underperformance and any other issues impacting professional conduct.

• Contributes to team-building efforts, helps team members identify problem solving options and ensures the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

• Oversees and manages technical consultants hired by the project.

• Ensures that activities are implemented in compliance with USAID, NCBA CLUSA, and host country rules and regulations.

• Manages financial resources ensuring compliance required by the organization and donor.

• Ensures the USAID Advancing Nutrition Gender Equality Strategy is understood and incorporated into activities as appropriate.

• Manages relationships with donors, clients, partners, stakeholders, and Advancing Nutrition home office. Coordinates and provides technical assistance to in-country partner organizations.

• Engages with key Government Agencies and other stakeholders in particular to support the implementation of Advancing Nutrition in Burkina Faso.

• Develops and maintains a detailed understanding of the health and nutrition issues in Burkina Faso and key policies being developed to address them.

• Travels domestically and internationally as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline, including medicine, public health, or nutrition.

• At least 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility working in maternal, newborn and child health, including nutrition or related fields. At least 5 years of senior-level experience leading large-scale, complex public health programs in Burkina Faso, including prior experience managing USAID-funded agreements or contracts, preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to establish professional relationships and to work collaboratively with government agencies, ministries, donors, and civil society. Experience managing USAID-funded programs, preferred.

• Demonstrated success across the whole range of project management: strategic program planning; work planning and budgeting; financial, administrative, contractual management and oversight; oversight of program monitoring and evaluation; and documentation of results.

• Demonstrated skills in results-oriented planning (e.g. for work plans, monitoring plan and template for progress reports).

• Demonstrated skills in working with external stakeholders to strengthen capacity, including the identification of training needs and coaching. Experience coordinating activities and working with stakeholders across multiple sectors to achieve a goal, preferred.

• Superior leadership, management, and communication skills.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft software packages: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

• Fluency in French required. Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken with strong presentation skills, strongly preferred.

• Ability to prepare and disseminate project findings, success stories and other documents effectively.

COMPETENCIES:

The competencies listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strategic planner with ability to design and implement systems to achieve long-term vision.

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, and achieving results.

• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for her/himself and the team, takes responsibility for her/his own personal development and encourages the team to do the same.

• Highly organized and attentive to detail.

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.

• Demonstrates highest levels of integrity and encourages openness and transparency.

• Comfortable independently managing multiple long and short-term tasks simultaneously.

• Comfortable with ambiguity and has confidence to request clarity when necessary.

• Excellent communicator, with the ability to synthesize and convey complex information clearly.

• Ability to identify and differentiate between important and urgent tasks, and quickly prioritize in a fast-paced, fluid, start-up environment.

• Team-oriented, supportive work style with willingness to work outside role when necessary. Good listener, respects others’ points of view, engages and motivates others.

• Maintains confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.