Responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and monitoring a USAID-funded program aimed to advance human rights in Burma and ensure the program is aligned with the overall mission, vision, and values of the donor and ABA ROLI. The Chief of Party will represent ABA ROLI with USG and international donors, provide updates on relevant political and legal developments, and oversee a high-priority, complex, and sensitive program in a challenging environment.  The COP’s primary responsibilities are providing overall leadership and general technical management for the entire project, ensuring an integrated vision among different components and actors, and a focus on achieving the results defined in the cooperative agreement. This individual will be expected to identify issues and risks related to project implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate project adjustments. The position requires significant coordination skills, technical knowledge of effective approaches for protecting human rights in a highly fluid operating environment.  THIS IS AN OVERSEAS BASED POSITION WITH THE LOCATION STILL TBD.

Principal Duties/Job responsibilities

Technical responsibilities

● Designs and leads technical implementation of USAID priorities.

● Ensures all services are aligned and delivered according to guidelines established by USAID and ABA ROLI.

● Participates in developing the project’s strategic and operational plans, and oversees the development and successful implementation of annual work plans.

● Develops realistic monitoring and evaluation plans and oversees their use as a tool for tracking and communicating program progress and impact, and for adjusting program strategy on the basis of the data. Coordinates closely with the Research and Learning Team Lead (RLTL) on research and learning, and signs off on all research products led and developed by the RLTL.

● Identifies issues and risks related to project implementation in a timely manner, and suggests appropriate project adjustments.

Management Responsibilities

● Reviews project deliverables for completeness, accuracy, and continuous quality improvement.

● Oversees and manages program staff assigned as direct-reports and hired by ABA ROLI. Leads recruitment of ABA ROLI program field staff.

● Provides guidance and oversight for project personnel hired by partners.

● Mentors and trains staff in strategic implementation of programs, overall program management, monitoring  and evaluation, and reporting. Ensures all approved targets and components are effectively resourced to optimize attainment of the objectives.

● Ensures compliance with ABA and donor policies, practices, procedures, and regulations.  Accountable for adherence to and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [FCPA].

● Participates or leads in the recruiting of workshop faculty and short and long-term experts, and approves all programs developed by this faculty. 

Finance:

➔ Performs quality oversight of financial management of all offices within his/her portfolio, conducting periodic reviews of expenditures for accuracy and reasonableness.

➔ Monitors the operating budget requirements in cooperation with Finance and Program staff, and manages and is accountable for adhering to the approved budget without degradation of service or mission accountabilities.

Security

➔ Monitors the operational, political, and legal environment within the assigned jurisdiction/s and keeps senior management informed of environmental shifts that might positively/negatively impact operations.

Partnership and representation responsibilities

● Liaises with the USAID Mission/Office and local partners, as required by the project, to coordinate activities and facilitate monitoring and reporting of project objectives and achievements.

Creates, fosters, nurtures, and expands working relationships with relevant stakeholders, in country and outside.

 
Basic Qualifications & Interests (BQIs)

Possession of an advanced degree in law, human rights, international affairs, or other relevant field from an accredited college or university and at least ten years’ experience in program and/or development activities, one year of which must have been overseas.

At least three years’ experience supervising a team which must have included providing performance feedback to direct reports.

Preferred Qualifications & Interests (PQIs)

Experience managing large USG, particularly USAID, programs in Asia related to protecting and maintaining democratic space, human rights, and accountability.  

Experience engaging a diverse range of civil society organizations and pro-democracy stakeholders within a sensitive political and security environment.

Experience implementing programs related to atrocity prevention, response, and recovery.