Chief of Party

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Program Delivery (PDEL) – Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Delivery Team, contributes to realizing this purpose by: Forging smart partnerships and treating all people with dignity and respect; Applying organizational policies and regulatory compliance appropriately and consistently; Facilitating team spirit among colleagues and promoting the organization through communications; Influencing decision makers through focused, relevant communications; Continually striving to learn and share knowledge and find small ways to make the workplace more enjoyable for all; Cultivating and harvesting innovation; Contributing to the organization’s ability to think and act strategically at all times; Inspiring and spreading our desired organizational culture across the global enterprise.

Position Overview

Pact seeks an experienced Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID/Colombia Strengthening Together Activity. The activity aims to enhance USAID/Colombia local partner organizations’ development impact by improving their operational functions. The activity is expected to include four objectives: 1) Current local partners increase organizational capacity for improved performance; 2) Current local partners internalize a collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach; 3) Current local partners improve messaging and outreach; and 4) Colombian organizations effectively provide valued capacity building services. This is anticipated to be a three-year activity with the option for two extension years, for a total of five years. This is position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

• The Chief of Party (COP) will provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise for the project.
• S/he will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project and will serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters,
• S/he will serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters.
• S/he will ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements.
• S/he will promote the use of recognized successful tools for strengthening the capacities of organizations.
• S/he will take a leadership role in coordination among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• S/he will manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• S/he will liaise closely with Pact Colombia’s Country Director and finance team and Pact’s Washington, DC team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with USG rules and regulations, as well as consistent Pact’s policies, procedures and best practices.
• S/he will oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., review and approve periodic budgets and technical and financial reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• S/he will oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the Finance/Operations Manager to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
• S/he will provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s subaward portfolio.
• S/he will oversee project staff in helping partners establish reporting and tracking systems to provide key information in an efficient and timely manner.
• S/he will ensure that program meets programmatic and financial targets and makes accurate projections.
• S/he will represent the project at conferences, working groups, and meetings to support USAID and Pact’s thought leadership in capacity development and civil society strengthening.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s Degree from an accredited university in a relevant field.
• At least ten years of experience in international development.
• At least eight years of experience as a COP or in a comparable managerial position on international donor projects.
• Demonstrable experience in organizational capacity development, preferably a minimum of five years.
• Experience in Latin America, preferably Colombia.
• Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• The candidate must be demonstrably proficient in (oral, writing and reading) Spanish and English.
• Ability to travel within Colombia and occasionally internationally, when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 diminish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Colombia.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of capacity building and organizational development for diverse civil society, non-profit and other types of local organizations involved in implementing donor-funded development projects.
• Knowledge of USAID’s organizational development and learning approaches, including CLA, and willingness and motivation to learn and apply Pact’s tools and approaches.
• Colombian nationals are encouraged to apply.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.