Chief of Party (COP), USAID Bangladesh Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (BMEL) Activity

Background

LINC is a mission-driven small business headquartered in Washington, DC dedicated to strengthening local actors and systems. At LINC, we believe that a practical approach to engaging committed, capable local actors increase international development effectiveness and sustainability. The recipient of USAID’s “Small Business of the Year” award in 2017, we are a team of reflective practitioners, passionate and energetic in our work, and committed to locally-led development. We have developed ground-breaking tools to map organizational networks, measure social capital, and leverage systems-based approaches to development. We partner with major universities, foundations, local NGOs and consulting firms, USAID, and FCDO among others. Our country experience spans Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. For more information on LINC, please visit www.linclocal.org.

Purpose of Proposal

The anticipated USAID Bangladesh Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (BMEL) Activity will serve as a MEL platform providing USAID/Bangladesh with high-quality, demand-driven MEL technical assistance and analytical services and support for collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) delivered to USAID/Bangladesh staff, implementing partners, and country stakeholders that advance U.S. foreign policy goals and USAID’s strategic objectives in Bangladesh.

Summary of Position

LINC seeks a seasoned COP to provide overall leadership, day-to-day management, and technical direction for the USAID BMEL activity. The COP will ensure high-quality program deliverables, serve as chief liaison for USAID/Bangladesh and key external stakeholders, including the Government of Bangladesh, and build the capacity of Bangladeshi staff and partners. This is a full-time position contingent upon USAID award.

**Citizens of Bangladesh are strongly encouraged to apply**

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership of the Platform, including program planning, technical execution, financial management, and operations, ensuring seamless coordination between all Platform components.
• Manage, train and mentor staff ensuring seamless coordination among Platform components.
• Manage subcontractors to ensure the timely provision of responsive, high-quality deliverables.
• Oversee design, development, and implementation of performance and impact evaluations, sector assessments, baseline assessments, evaluations, research and analysis, performance monitoring and evaluation capacity building, and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA).
• Coordinate and provide MEL and CLA technical assistance to USAID implementing partners.
• Establish and maintain relationships, coordinate, and consult with key stakeholders, including USAID, government officials, implementing partners, and civil society, and other key stakeholders and audiences as required.
• Oversee capture and dissemination of findings and lessons learned.
• Ensure sustainability via networking, promoting linkages to other programs, capacity strengthening, and support for localization.

Skills and Qualifications

Successful candidates should have:

• A Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of demonstrated experience managing complex MEL activities in a team environment, including leadership experience on USAID MEL platforms.
• Proven USAID and external stakeholder relations, team leadership, and strategic management skills.
• Strong technical expertise in traditional and innovative approaches to MEL, CLA, research design, and adaptive management.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills are required.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Prior experience working in Bangladesh and the region is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of USAID regulations and policies, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System 201, Evaluation Policy, and Local Capacity Strengthening.