Chief of Party (Armenia)

Near East Foundation (NEF)

Title: Chief of Party

Reports to: SVP Global Operations

Location: Yerevan, Armenia

Travel: Frequent travel to project sites

Position contingent on funding. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021.

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID/Armenia Workforce Development Activity (AWDA). AWDA seeks to reduce the gap between the skills of the workforce and the needs of employers and to increase opportunities for youth and women to participate in the formal labor market.

For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East, North and West Africa, and the Caucasus through economic development and governance initiatives. NEF’s work is organized around three core program areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description

The Chief of Party is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in Armenia. The Chief of Party will oversee the project, which seeks to empower youth and women to be actively engaged in the labor market through working with the private sector, Armenian government, and education institutions; through evolving societal stereotypes; and by transforming the policy and regulatory environment. Working within NEF’s regional program structure, the CoP will lead a team of technical and project management specialists in project delivery. The CoP is responsible for overall leadership, administration, operations oversight, and management of the activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall team management, technical direction, administrative coordination, and financial and operations oversight
• Serve as primary project representative and contact point for USAID and client relations
• Work collaboratively with the project team and partners and coordinate closely with USAID to develop overall project strategy and direction and to develop and implement annual program work plans and performance milestones plans
• Work closely with the NEF program development team and other NEF teams to ensure a smooth and rapid start-up of the program
• Oversee the timely and quality completion of all program technical and financial deliverables and reports (including quarterly, annual, and M&E reports) in accordance with the agreement and USAID guidelines
• Adapt management systems in line with NEF standard operating procedures**

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, business management, public administration, education or other relevant fields of study
• 10 years minimum of relevant work experience with development organizations implementing economic development, workforce development, tertiary education and/or capacity building projects
• Prior experience managing USAID projects and demonstrated knowledge of USG rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Experience in effective people and team management, including implementation of code of conduct, safeguarding and anti-corruption measures
• Experience in managing the safety of staff and assets
• Understanding of the concepts behind, and practical application of, humanitarian and development codes and standards such as Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability
• Fluency in English
• Ability to pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Experience designing and implementing projects in Armenia or the Caucasus
• Knowledge of Armenian or Russian