Reference No: REC/144 /24

Job title: Chief of Party (CoP) 

Location: Head office /Addis Ababa with limited travel to Area Offices

Travel to the Field: 25%

Reports to: Country Director

Number of Posts: 01 (one)

Closing date: December 12, 2024

GOAL Ethiopia is seeking a highly qualified Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming Resilience in Pastoral Areas multi-year program. This five-year initiative aims to enhance the resilience of households, markets, and governance institutions across Ethiopia, with a focus on improving food security and fostering inclusive economic growth.

As the COP, you will provide visionary leadership and oversee the overall implementation of the program, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. You will be responsible for guiding the technical direction, financial management, operational execution, and human resources needs of the project. In addition, you will lead a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of all program activities and deliverables.

We are looking for passionate and dedicated professionals who are committed to building a future where resilience replaces crisis, and where communities can thrive. The COP will play a critical role in achieving the program's outcomes, driving sustainable development, and improving the lives of vulnerable populations across Ethiopia.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY/DUTIES

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Oversight: Lead the design, implementation, and continuous adaptation of the program’s technical strategy to maximize impact and foster innovation

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all program operations, ensuring that all activities are implemented efficiently, on time, and within budget

• Team Management: Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to senior staff, ensuring a high-performing and motivated team

• Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison to USAID, representing the program publicly, and managing relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, donors, and implementing partners

• Monitoring and Reporting: Ensure strong systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) to measure program success, manage risks, and adapt strategies as needed.

The Chief of Party (COP) holds the top leadership position on a project, typically overseeing large, multi-year development programs in Ethiopia. The COP is responsible for ensuring the program’s success and guiding its strategic vision, implementation, and impact. Below is an outline of the roles and responsibilities of a COP:

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Provide overall strategic direction for the program, ensuring that activities are aligned with the project’s goals, objectives, and the needs of the target population.

• Lead the development and refinement of the program’s technical strategy, ensuring it incorporates best practices and innovative approaches.

• Ensure adaptive management practices are applied, enabling the program to respond effectively to challenges and opportunities as they arise.

2. Program Management and Implementation

• Oversee all aspects of program implementation, ensuring activities are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with USAID guidelines and policies.

• Ensure coordination across various program components (e.g., food security, nutrition, governance, economic growth) and integrate them into a cohesive, unified approach.

• Manage project operations, including logistics, procurement, and resource allocation, to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.

3. Team Leadership and Staff Management

• Lead and supervise a team of senior technical, operational, and administrative staff, ensuring roles and responsibilities are clear and performance is optimized.

• Provide guidance and mentorship to staff, fostering a collaborative and positive work environment that promotes high standards of performance, accountability, and professional growth.

• Ensure capacity building within the team and local partners, supporting staff development and fostering a culture of learning and innovation.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation

• Serve as the primary point of contact with USAID and other key stakeholders (government officials, donors, NGOs, community leaders, and local partners).

• Represent the program publicly, ensuring its objectives, results, and impact are communicated effectively to external audiences, including USAID, donors, government agencies, and local communities.

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships, ensuring collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance the program’s success and sustainability.

5. Financial Management and Resource Allocation

• Oversee program budgets and ensure financial resources are allocated effectively to meet project goals.

• Monitor financial performance, ensuring the program adheres to budgetary guidelines and regulations, and identifying any cost-saving opportunities or risks.

• Ensure compliance with USAID financial and procurement regulations, including the proper management of funds, contracts, and subcontracts.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Lead the design and implementation of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system to assess the program’s impact and effectiveness.

• Monitor program performance through regular reporting, data collection, and analysis, adjusting as necessary to improve outcomes.

• Ensure that lessons learned from the program’s activities are integrated into future planning and implementation to continually enhance impact.

7. Risk Management and Problem-Solving

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to the program’s success, including operational, financial, political, and security risks.

• Resolve challenges and issues that may arise during program implementation, utilizing adaptive management strategies to ensure smooth operations and continued progress.

8. Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with USAID rules, regulations, and guidelines, as well as local laws and regulations in Ethiopia.

• Prepare and submit high-quality reports to USAID and other stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on program progress, challenges, and achievements.

• Maintain transparency and accountability in all aspects of program implementation, including financial reporting, project activities, and stakeholder communications.

9. Gender and Inclusivity

• Promote gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of the program, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable groups (including women, children, and people with disabilities) benefit from program interventions.

• Advocate for inclusive approaches to economic growth, resilience-building, and governance, ensuring that the program’s activities contribute to equitable development.

Other

• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as requested

Job Requirements

1 Qualifications

• Education: A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as International Development, Agriculture, Economics, Public Health, Environmental Science, or another related discipline.

• Language Skills: Fluency in English is required (both written and spoken). Proficiency in local languages (e.g., Amharic, Somali, or other regional languages) is an asset.

• Technical Certifications (Optional): Additional certifications or training in relevant fields (e.g., disaster risk management, food security, economic development) may be beneficial.

• Donor and Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations is highly desirable. Experience with other international donors such as the World Bank, DFID, or the EU can also be an asset.

2 Experience

• Leadership in Development Programs: At least 10 years of progressive experience in managing large-scale international development programs, preferably in sectors such as food security, economic development, resilience, disaster risk management, nutrition, or governance.

• Chief of Party or Senior Program Management Experience: At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role, such as Chief of Party, Program Director, or Deputy COP, managing complex, multi-year USAID-funded projects or similar donor-funded initiatives.

• Experience in Ethiopia or Similar Contexts: Proven experience working in Ethiopia or in similar fragile or developing countries with a focus on pastoral communities, food security, or rural development. Knowledge of the political, cultural, and socio-economic dynamics of the region is preferred.

• Technical Expertise: Deep technical knowledge and experience in resilience-building, food security, disaster risk management, inclusive economic growth, nutrition, and/or governance. Experience working on programs that focus on improving resilience in vulnerable populations is highly desirable.

• Financial and Operational Management: Demonstrated experience in managing large budgets, overseeing complex financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor regulations. Proven ability to manage operational challenges effectively and efficiently.

• Team and Human Resources Management: Extensive experience leading and managing diverse teams of technical, operational, and administrative staff. Strong track record of building high-performing teams, fostering staff development, and providing leadership under challenging conditions.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Experience in developing and managing robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems. Ability to use data to inform decision-making and to adapt project strategies to maximize impact.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development: Experience working with key stakeholders, including donors (especially USAID), governments, local partners, NGOs, and communities. Proven ability to represent programs publicly and engage in high-level advocacy and policy dialogue.

3. Competencies

• Strategic Vision and Programmatic Excellence: Strong ability to develop and communicate a clear strategic vision, aligning program activities with broader development goals. Ability to think critically and adapt program strategies based on context, challenges, and evolving needs.

• Adaptive Management and Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to apply adaptive management principles, manage complex situations, and resolve issues quickly and effectively. Ability to navigate ambiguity and balance long-term objectives with day-to-day operational challenges.

• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and deliver presentations to various audiences, including donors, government officials, and local communities.

• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural environment, with respect for local customs and practices, and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive approaches in development.

• Financial and Risk Management: Strong financial management and budgeting skills, with a track record of ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources. Proven experience managing financial risks and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

• Capacity Building and Mentorship: Ability to develop staff capacity, provide mentorship, and create a positive work environment that fosters collaboration, growth, and high performance.

• Results-Oriented: A results-driven mindset, with a focus on achieving program goals and delivering measurable impact in line with donor expectations and local needs.

4. Personal Attributes

• Passionate and Committed: A deep commitment to the mission of the program and to improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Passion for resilience-building and sustainable development.

• Integrity and Accountability: A high standard of ethics, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of program management.

• Collaborative: A team player with the ability to foster collaboration across teams, stakeholders, and partners.

Desirable quality, skill and competence

• Experience and knowledge of market system strengthening and a working knowledge of M4P methodologies will be a strong advantage

• Previous experience working with private sector organizations within a development /humanitarian context

• Strong technical knowledge in the following sectors: health, nutrition, WASH, food security, market system and economic development, cash-transfer programming

• Comprehensive understanding of resilience, behavior change and inclusion approaches.

• Ethiopia-specific experience in working in the development and humanitarian sector

• Ability to quickly adjust to changing circumstances, priorities, or environments

• Ensuring operational processes are executed with precision and accuracy.

• In global or diverse settings, experience working with diverse teams or international programs may be a significant asset

REMUNERATION and BENEFITS: 

• GOAL will pay a competitive basic salary based on the salary grading with addition benefits.

• A chance to develop tangible experience.

• Being part of a team who continue to make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people. 

Commitments: 

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. 

GOAL highly promotes Equality, diversity and inclusion and works with women and men, People with disabilities, and employees of various ages including youth, supports their empowerment and appreciates their achievements constantly. GOAL also encourages applications from diverse candidates including women, people with disabilities, people with diverse backgrounds, and youth to apply.

GOAL has zero tolerance to discrimination on the basis of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, race, economic status etc . we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safeguarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is strongly committed not to harm the people under its care. 

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates. 

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.

• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.

• Report any concerns about inappropriate behavior of a GOAL staff or partner.

You are welcome to include your sex (Male or female) and any disability issues in your CV (please note that this information will only be used to comply with affirmative action policy of the organization)

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number along with the title & Duty station need to be written in the application letter. 

• Applicants can directly apply through THIS LINK

  Please be sure your application and CV should be in PDF or Word only. (The system couldn’t accept other than PDF and Word.)

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at later stage.

GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates