Proposed Chief of Party – The Gambia

Shelter For Life International (SFL) is an international faith-based relief and development organization with over 30 years’ experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance to post conflict countries around the world. We are currently operational in Afghanistan, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia, with Headquarters located in Minnetonka, MN, USA. Our team provides support and assistance in the following areas:

1. Population Movement and Settlement

2. Public Infrastructure Reconstruction

3. Economic and Social Development

Our mission is to demonstrate God’s love by enabling people affected by conflict and disaster to restore their lives and rebuild their communities. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.shelter.org

Position Summary:

We are currently seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to oversee the anticipated multi-year, USDA-funded McGovern-Dole Food for Education (FFE) Program in The Gambia. The goal of the project is to reduce hunger, enhance nutrition, and improve literacy and primary education. Through the provision of school nutrition programs, increased literacy training capacity, and improvement or introduction of water and sanitation infrastructure, the project will help increase school enrollment, academic performance, and improve the health of students.

The Chief of Party position requires experience in management of international development programs, education and school feeding projects, a strong command of project and administrative management, the demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative team spirit, and the ability to effectively network and represent SFL with external stakeholders, such as the local and national government, and target communities.

This position will serve as the primary contact to the SFL Headquarters Office. This COP will ensure that operational goals and objectives are achieved and reported by appropriate and professional means while maintaining the efficiency and integrity of the overall mission. This involves close oversight of project budget and progress, establishing positive working relationships with the donor organization, partner organizations, and other stakeholders, while providing oversight and ethical leadership to each project staff member. This position is contingent upon award from USDA. A minimum of 12 months’ commitment to live and work in the field location is required.

Areas of Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement

· Establish relationships with partners and stakeholders to ensure coordinated implementation of project activities, and represent the SFL team and interests at key meetings

· Establish and maintain relationships with government entities and officials

· Work and coordinate with central and regional government officials to ensure collaboration with government activities

Program Operations Management

· Monitor program indicators and analyze project impact and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed results

· Lead periodic work plans and progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans to ensure all deliverables are submitted to USDA and are of high quality and meet reporting deadlines

· Oversee offices and activities in the project country

· Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff

· Oversee financial and administrative aspects of the project, including the budget

· Implement enforcement of US Government and SFL’s financial and administrative rules and regulations

· Manage sub-awards with international and local partner service providers

· Manage risks of project implementation and implement risk mitigation measures

· Coordinate and communicate activities with SFL’s Headquarters Office

Education and Experience Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in international development, business administration, education, or related fields, and/or professional experience in the same areas; master’s degree or higher preferred

· Eight or more years demonstrated experience in managing international development programs

· Professional knowledge and experience in managing programs funded by US Government grants, with experience in management of USDA’s McGovern-Dole Food for Education (FFE) programs and/or USAID programs

· Exceptional past performance and ability to interact diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders (for example, national, provincial, private sector actors, and other NGOs)

· Demonstrated experience in reporting project progress with reference to donor guidelines

· Strong leadership and administrative skills, management in a cross-cultural environment

· Developed communication skills and comfort with public presentations

· Experience integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment aspects in development activities

· Prior experience with development programs in Africa, particularly West Africa, preferred

Personal Skills & Abilities:

· Dynamic leadership skills with ability to maintain a positive work environment with professionalism

· Strong teamwork and listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and cross- cultural sensitivity

· Ability to research, analyze, coordinate, and plan – both strategically and innovatively

· Ability to quickly assess complex programs and situations and form accurate opinions

· Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions

· Willingness to adopt the use of locally appropriate technologies

· Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders, local government ministries and donor organizations

· Strong writing ability in English, including composition project progress reports for the donor organization

· Proficiency in spoken and written English, with knowledge of Mandinka and Wolof a plus

SFL is interested in applicants whose professional ethics, values and determination to achieve impact are evident and aligned with organizational priorities.