USAID Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Activity (PIMMELA)– Chief of Party

Background

NORC at the University of Chicago is one of the largest and most highly respected social research organizations pursuing high quality social science research both in the U.S. and internationally.

NORC is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Activity (PIMMELA). The COP will work full-time over a 3-year period based in Manila, Philippines (with potential 4th option year). The PIMMELA aims to work collaboratively with the Mission’s staff and its implementing partners (IPs) to provide fast, flexible, robust and rigorous monitoring, evaluation and related support; and support assistance for USAID programmatic objectives as needed for capacity building. Specifically PIMMELA will assist USAID in performance management data collection, reporting and analysis; third party monitoring and verification; evaluation and research; and collaboration, learning and adaptive (CLA). All individuals should have strong English reading and writing skills. Philippines citizens are strongly encouraged to apply. This are full-time position is contingent on funding.

Responsibilities

The COP will provide guidance, leadership and oversight for a team of MEL professionals in Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia. The COP will be the primary liaison with the USAID Missions in the Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia and will be the authority on the implementation of the contract. The COP will provide technical oversight on all types of MEL deliverables and also manage personnel, a multi-million dollar budget, and the safety and security of staff. They are equally comfortable with qualitative and quantitative data and strong conflict prevention and management skills. The COP must be an inclusive leader, who can navigate change with flexibility and emotional resilience.

Technical Oversight

• Lead all MEL project planning, implementation, and evaluation;
• Manage technical assistance and training
• Overall Activity management and technical operations to ensure that the Activity tasks are completed and the objectives of the Activity are successfully met.
• Ensure that all work provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate for the requirements of the contract
• Serve as the primary point of contact with and represent the project to USAID, implementing partners, host country officials, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Facilitate communication between USAID Program Office, its technical teams and PPIM component teams;
• Provide leadership in performance and impact evaluations, sector assessments, baseline assessment, evaluation design and methodology, research and analysis, performance monitoring and evaluation capacity building, and collaborating, learning, and adapting; and
• Works with team to strategically deploy staff and consultants.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of proposed implementation plans and all reports.

Budget and Personnel Management

• Responsible for the budget, ensuring cost effective management, financial projections and systems to ensure proper use of funds;
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of all contract deliverables and work products;
• Directly or indirectly supervise all project staff and consultants;
• Mentor and support the professional development of all staff and consultants;
• Ensure adherence to all relevant US Government (USG), NORC, and host country rules, regulations, and laws, including those related to procurement and labor and employment; and
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in social sciences or related field with at least ten (10) years of progressive experience in project management of similar development programs; or a Bachelor’s degree in the similar field with at least fifteen (15) years of progressive
• experience in project management of development programs development projects
• At least five (5) years of experience related to research, evaluation, statistics and/or
• monitoring projects related to development.
• At least five (5) years of experience leading a similar Monitoring and Evaluations contract covering multiple countries.
• Available to travel throughout the 14 countries to attend to contract implementation tasks as necessary
• Strong networks with local and international technical experts in learning, monitoring, evaluation, research, economic growth, governance, health, education and

Environment

• Strong familiarity with USAID CLA practices, M&E design, and principles;
• Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures;
• Demonstrated familiarity with ADS 201;
• Excellent team leadership, management, and communication skills; and
• Fluency in written and spoken English Level (4/4)

Communication and Public Relations Skills:

• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills.
• Excellent demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior-level and mid-level

counterparts of host country and USAID, local professionals, international donors, host

country government counterparts and implementing partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Chief of Party experience or equivalent (e.g., Team Leader, Country Director) on a USAID-funded award;
• Experience in Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA), capacity development and training, performance measurement, data quality assurance (DQA), systems strengthening, evaluation and assessments;
• Professional experience working in Philippines, Pacific Islands and/or Mongolia;
• Technical expertise in one or more thematic sectors (such as health, economic growth, education; democracy, rights and governance; environment and energy);
• Philippines citizens are strongly encouraged to apply
• Some years of experience in Asia are desirable.