Chief of Party

Crown Agents (CA) works with leaders to accelerate self-sufficiency and prosperity by delivering practical innovations in government systems strengthening, project and fund management, and supply chain delivery. Our Climate & Energy practice builds upon our core services supporting Net Zero goals in climate resilience, mitigation, adaptation, and nature-based solutions. We operate in over 100 countries, including across the Eastern and Southern Caribbean region, with 22 international offices reaching over 108 million people annually.

Crown Agents seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated Caribbean Resilience Economies and Sectors (Caribbean RESET) Activity released through the USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC) Mission. It is expected to be a four-year award valued between $10 – $25 million. The purpose of the activity is to reduce systemic constraints to climate and disaster finance and increase investments in resilience across priority sectors such as agriculture. Initial objectives of the project broadly cover: 1) governance systems strengthening, 2) increased private sector investment, and 3) established community partnerships.

The ESC region covers: Bahamas, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, and Suriname.

The position is contingent upon project award and funding. ESC country candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The position will be based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Position Description

The COP will be responsible for the vision and leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the project. The successful candidate should possess requisite experience managing international development programs, financials, operations, and compliance. The ideal candidate will be an inclusive leader who can foster and facilitate a culture of continuous learning, build relationships among thought-leaders and practitioners in the region across priority sectors, and be able to navigate change with flexibility.

The COP will be responsible and accountable for ensuring that services defined within the donor-approved scope are delivered, including the following management responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders (e.g., government, private sector, and civil society) leading institutional engagement and coordination.
• Manage project staff with direct line management of senior management, operational, and technical leads; and oversee consortium partnerships.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the activity.
• Ensure project compliance with USAID, Crown Agents, and host country policies, rules, and regulations.
• Assume responsibility for overall project implementation, including strategy/work planning, project results, staffing, operations and finances, and contract management.
• Actively develop and institute mechanisms for collaboration, learning, and adaptation to improve project results and inclusion of diverse voices from within and external to the project.

Qualification and Experience Required

• Advanced university degree in governance, economics, finance, business administration, international development, or another field closely related to Caribbean RESET objectives. Additional years of experience may be substituted for a master’s degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience with a minimum of 5 years’ experience managing similar projects, including financial and contracts and sub-contracts management
• Prior experience managing USAID projects strongly preferred, particularly prior USAID COP experience.
• Prior technical expertise or specialization in climate finance, disaster risk finance, climate adaptation/resilience, economic growth, private sector engagement, public policy and business administration, and/or public sector strengthening and governance.
• Demonstrated understanding of program design and monitoring and evaluation for climate resilience, governance, private sector strengthening, and/or community engagement programming.
• Prior experience working in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean with demonstrated success and understanding in working across the cultural landscape of the region.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, lead, and manage a diverse team of experts and partners (including direct and indirect reports); and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.
• Demonstrated ability to lead negotiations, presentations and relationship building efforts with host governments’ institutions, local and international NGOs, and donors.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills are required.
• English language fluency (oral and written) is required.