Chief of Party

Pact seeks an experienced Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID/RDMA-funded “Empowering the Truth Tellers: Asia Investigative Reporting Network Activity” (AIR Network) project, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) leader with associates award. AIR Network aims to strengthen capacity, networking and collaboration among Asian investigative journalists and newsrooms that produce cross-border investigative reports of regional and global importance on transborder crime and corruption. The geographic scope of this program includes the countries of Southeast Asia (specific locations TBD) and will take place over a period of five years. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Responsibilities

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID/RDMA development objectives. With a particular emphasis on employing a highly adaptive and collaborative management style, the COP will take a leadership role in coordinating activities across all relevant parties, including USAID, the Governments of the Regional countries, civil society organizations, media organizations or associations, and implementing partners. The COP will also oversee all project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities.

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans. Oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations and Pact processes, procedures, and best practices.
• Through an adaptive and collaborative management style, coordinate the implementation of activities across project staff and partners, ensuring a “one team approach” and successful integration of activities.
• Provide strategic management and oversight of the project’s sub-award portfolio.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups, and other meetings.
• Serve as security focal person and always ensure the safety and security of project staff.
• Prioritize interventions and strategies that are responsive to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) considerations and ensure a conflict-sensitive approach for all activities.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree with eleven (11) years work experience or bachelor’s degree with at least thirteen (13+) years work experience
• At least six (6+) years management experience
• Demonstrated understanding of the role of media and civil society in Southeast Asian countries.
• Experience building capacity, networking and/or collaboration between civil society organizations and/or media actors in Southeast Asian counties.
• Record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and managing multiple international consortium partners.
• Experience managing projects with large sub-award pools.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations, and policies.
• Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading).
• Ability to travel internationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in or supporting the media sector, including leading investigative journalism-focused activities.
• Familiarity and established relationships with investigative journalists and media houses in Southeast Asia.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Southeast Asian countries and their relationships with one another.
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to effective accountability and/or anti-corruption focused interventions.
• Demonstrated understanding of most pressing issues concerning gender inequality in media in Southeast Asian countries.
• Fluency and/or working proficiency in one or more languages spoken in the region (oral, writing, and reading).
• Strong preference for candidates from Southeast Asia countries.

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.
At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8% to 13% based on service tenure) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections .
With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Pact seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Pact. Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.