Chief of Party – Mali Local Governance

Title: Chief of Party – Mali Local Governance

Reports to: Country Director, Mali

Location: Bamako, Mali

Travel: 10%

Expat/TCN Position: This position is open to Expatriates and Third Country Nationals.

Qualified Local candidates will be given equal opportunity and are encouraged to apply. Position contingent on Funding. Anticipated award date: April 2025.

Near East Foundation began its work in Mali in 1984 in response to a severe drought that left the country in crisis. NEF’s subsequent work in the country has largely focused on combating endemic poverty, improving food security, peacefully resolving conflicts, managing shared resources, and mitigating climate change impacts.

NEF has built enduring relationships and trust in northern Mali by providing effective and successful initiatives at multiple scales – from isolated villages to local governments to national policy arenas. NEF’s programs have directly improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and contributed to durable improvements in the regions of Mopti and Timbuktu.

NEF has become a leader and innovator in Mali. Combining rights-based institutional development, policy research and advocacy, and capacity building for local governments and community-based organizations, the models for sustainable natural resource management developed by NEF in rural Mali have spread across Africa.

Project Summary

NEF is looking for a Chief of Party (COP) to lead an upcoming USAID-supported initiative focused on local governance in Mali. The COP will be stationed in Bamako, Mali, and will provide technical guidance and manage program operations within the country. Responsibilities will include supervising both long-term personnel and short-term specialists to achieve program objectives while ensuring adherence to USAID rules and regulations. Additionally, the COP will be the Point of Contact (POC) and manage all communications with USAID, the Malian government, and fellow implementing partners.

Position Overview

The Chief of Party (COP) will provide technical direction, and leadership and will supervise long-term and short-term technical specialists. COP will regularly assess the context and operating environment of Mali to ensure programmatic adaptations in consultation with USAID and NEF Management.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide technical guidance and support to the team across all program areas, ensuring alignment with project objectives and best practices.
• Lead the development and design of relevant program activities and work plans, ensuring they are tailored to address local needs and contribute to overall project goals.
• Act as the primary liaison between NEF and key stakeholders, establishing strong relationships and effective communication to enhance program impact and sustainability.
• Oversee the implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, regularly assessing project progress, and making adjustments as needed to achieve desired outcomes.
• Manage the contractual obligations, with a focus on ensuring technical and financial performance in compliance with NEF policies and donor regulations.
• Create a collaborative and respectful work environment within the project team and solicit feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute annual work plans for project activities, in collaboration with the team, ensuring clear objectives and timelines are established.
• Supervise the timely submission of project deliverables and provide accurate reporting and briefings to USAID and other stakeholders on program progress and outcomes.
• Implement and oversee security protocols in line with NEF’s standards, providing leadership in addressing security-related issues as they arise.
• 10 years of experience designing and implementing programs of similar scope and scale.
• Strong understanding of donor regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Prior COP, DCOP, or Team Leader Experience managing local governance projects.
• Strong management and leadership skills, including the ability to mentor staff.
• Experience advancing equity and inclusion of women, youth, and other marginalized groups.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities, with a commitment to creating a collaborative work culture.
• Fluency in English and French
• Effective oral and written presentation skills
• Excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills

Qualifications:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred.

Crosscutting:

Uphold NEF’s core values of localization, respect, inclusion, and integrity by helping to build an environment of accountability and learning, keeping work commitments and respecting colleagues’ time, listening to diverse colleagues, and participating in regular feedback and performance reviews.

Other duties as assigned.