Chief of Party, Ghana Youth Activity

Overview

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.

Global Communities is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Ghana Youth Activity. This five-year $12M program will support rural and urban youth in northern Ghana with a range of sustainable opportunities, tools, and support systems that enable them to improve their livelihoods, increase their abilities to contribute as both economically and socially productive individuals, promote peace, and become engaged community members. The activity will give special attention to the needs of girls, the disabled, and other disadvantaged groups.

The COP will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, financial and operational leadership, and human resources. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive. Ghanaian Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

The COP is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement. The COP provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project. S/he will utilize the principles of adaptive management to maximize impact and facilitate innovation. Finally, the COP will be responsible for communications with USAID, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with government, youth-led and youth-serving organizations, and other institutions/stakeholders on opportunities and issues related to the socio-economic status of youth in northern Ghana.

Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation.
• Act as primary point of contact with USAID, government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders.
• Ensure implementation of technical interventions, resulting in concrete and specific outcomes.
• Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of project deliverables.
• Manage team members to deliver against the annual workplan.
• Ensure fiscal integrity and maximize impact, ensuring that project activities are completed in compliance with Global Communities, USAID rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements.
• Lead in adaptive management, achieving peak performance and facilitate innovation.
• Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to USAID, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, partners, youth networks, and other agencies working on similar or complimentary projects, maximizing visibility and learning.
• Ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and applied.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development, business, project management, or in a closely related field with a minimum of 8 years of experience implementing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to promoting youth engagement, strengthening economic opportunities for youth, or other aspects of positive youth development. Two additional years of related experience may be substituted for a Master’s degree.
• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior management position, including Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Project Director, Component Lead, or similar, leading implementation of ambitious donor-funded projects particularly related to youth empowerment and engagement is preferred.
• Experience in West Africa, with preference for recent work in Ghana, with a particular emphasis on northern Ghana.
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge/experience with USAID rules and regulations required.
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and stakeholders and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English; capabilities in relevant local languages preferred.
• Ghanaian Nationals strongly encouraged to apply.
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.