Chief of Party

Chemonics seeks a Chief of Party for the anticipated five-year, $5-$20 million USAID/Kenya and East Africa Marine Biodiversity Conservation Activity – Western Indian Ocean. This activity aims to promote the recovery and resilience of marine biodiversity and coastal communities to advance achievement of a sustainable Blue Economy and protect marine areas in WIO countries. It will do so by focusing on the following: 1) realizing an inclusive vision for achieving an ecologically connected marine protected area (MPA) network to maximize ecological productivity, recovery, and resilience, 2) accelerate effective devolved co-management to implement the MPA network and strengthen fisheries management, and 3) reduce threats to small-scale fisheries and high biodiversity coastal resources posed by industrial fishing fleets, particularly distant water fleets and international crime networks.

The Chief of Party will oversee technical implementation, contract management, communications, and personnel management in compliance with USAID regulations and relevant local laws. The Chief of Party will provide overall strategic vision and leadership in the design and implementation of all technical interventions and serve as the primary point of contact with USAID/Kenya and East Africa on day-to-day contract implementation. The position is anticipated to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide overall vision, leadership, management, and technical direction for the Activity to ensure that relevant, productive, and complementary interventions are implemented effectively
• When required, modify strategies, approaches, and interventions based on evidence derived from MEL/CLA processes
• Serve as the face of the Activity, developing and maintaining rapport with USAID, government counterparts, civil society, and the private sector
• Lead work planning, performance management, MEL, communications, contractual and budgetary aspects of Activity, and timely preparation of the annual work plan
• Ensure high-quality and on-time delivery of results and deliverables and linkages between technical and operations teams
• Maintain open communication with USAID, project office staff, and Chemonics’ headquarters
• Supervise personnel, subcontractors, and select grantees across objectives and multiple offices

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Marine Conservation, Environmental Science, Fisheries Management, Natural Resource Management, or related field
• At least ten years of senior-level management experience in the design, implementation, and management of marine biodiversity activities of similar size, complexity, and setting;
• Leadership skills and experience in building and maintaining productive working relationships with a wide network of institutional stakeholders, including host governments at all levels, which may have divergent interests;
• Demonstrated ability to build teams and foster collaboration to achieve activity goals, meet activity milestones, and produce quality results;
• Demonstrated experience in institutional strengthening;
• Experience working in WIO countries preferred;
• Exceptional English written and verbal communication skills