Chemonics International, a Washington D.C.-based international development organization, seeks to fill the position of Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID Strengthening Accountable Governance and Civic Engagement (SAGCE) project in Ethiopia. The $30 million, five-year project will aim to strengthen sub-national government, increase citizen engagement, and strengthen civil society oversight using locally led, problem-driven, adaptive approaches. The Chief of Party will be based in Addis with extensive travel in the country. The Chief of Party is responsible for leading all aspects of contract performance, providing technical guidance to all activities under the contract, and representing Chemonics’ activities to external audiences. Candidates should possess considerable successful experience in leading donor-funded democracy and governance programs in countries in Africa with particular expertise in decentralization reform. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Summary

Chemonics seeks a Chief of Party for the anticipated 5-year, $40-50 million Ethiopia Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Activity. The overall purpose of this Activity will be to support accelerated access to inclusive and resilient WASH services in targeted urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity will work to fulfill this purpose through four complementary objectives: 1) strengthen Government of Ethiopia urban WASH planning, budgeting, and service delivery oversight; 2) strengthen the operationalization of an independent regulator; 3) enable and professionalize public and private WASH service providers; 4) extend WASH services to poor and marginalized households.

At Chemonics, we promote meaningful change around the world, helping people live healthier, more productive, and more independent lives. From our founding in 1975, we have worked in more than 140 countries to help our clients, partners, and beneficiaries face difficult challenges, from political instability to limited healthcare to a lack of market infrastructure. We have helped them overcome those challenges by working together to find and implement innovative projects that achieve development impact. We are committed to living our values of caring, excellence, innovation, integrity, and opportunity to implement efficient and effective programs that build a better future for those we serve.

The Chief of Party (COP) shall provide strategic and technical leadership and will have overall responsibility for the successful and responsive implementation of the Activity. S/he will supervise all activities related to this program and manage the successful performance of technical assistance and operations. The COP will be the official representative of the contractor and have primary responsibility for liaising with high-level USAID and government officials, forging alliances with businesses, partner organizations, and stakeholders. He/she will be primarily responsible for liaising with high-level USAID and government officials, and forging alliances with a myriad of businesses, organizations and stakeholders and managing multiple offices. This position will likely be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Key Illustrative Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the project and serve as the primary liaison with USAID on strategic, managerial, and technical matters, including responsibility for making key decisions and solving programmatic challenges in a timely manner;
• Ensure compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contract requirements, and Chemonics policies and systems;
• Build, manage, and maintain effective working relations with senior Government of Ethiopia stakeholders, international organizations, private sector partners, NGOs, civil society, and U.S. Government agencies;
• Apply understanding of development assistance in urban WASH services, regulation, market systems strengthening, essential services strengthening, pro-poor access to services and/or sector governance in order to effectively lead and inform the Activity’s technical implementation.
• Communicate clear expectations to project staff and establish an operating environment that encourages integrity, honesty, open communications, and commitment to compliance with local laws, USAID rules and regulations, and Chemonics’ policies and procedures; and
• Provide general oversight of the project, including overall responsibility for the project’s operations, strategic vision, fiscal integrity, quality and timing of deliverables, and coordination with partners.
• Directly supervise several senior members of the UWASH leadership team and oversee performance management across the Activity.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in engineering, water and natural resource management, public administration, management, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in managing donor funded (USAID preferred) projects required, with experience in urban WASH, WASH infrastructure and financing, WASH services strengthening, WASH governance, market-systems strengthening, utility reform projects, water resources management projects, or related fields preferred.
• Previous experience working internationally in a development context required, with experience working in Ethiopia or the region strongly preferred
• Proven record of building teams and fostering collaboration with diverse stakeholders to achieve project goals, meet project milestones, and produce quality project results
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required; proficiency in Amharic preferred.
• This role is expected to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it is anticipated that there will be significant in-country travel