Overview

Plan International is a girls’ rights organization that partners with adolescents and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities. Working in more than 75 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s holistic, rights-based approach ensures that our project participants achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Our projects are designed in partnership with communities and strategically address systemic issues that often transcend sectors. As such, Plan demonstrates technical expertise across a range of intervention areas: education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection and youth economic empowerment. In addition, Plan has a robust humanitarian response and disaster preparedness practice. With extensive local networks and community reach, Plan drives positive change through broad community participation, achieving sustainable results by actively engaging and providing services to individuals, families, communities and governments. Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994.

Plan International is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Secondary Success Activity. The COP will oversee all aspects of this project, leading strategic planning and decision making, providing technical guidance, overseeing activities of the sub-recipients, and supervising staff. Serving as the key liaison with USAID, Ministries, implementing partners and other stakeholders, the COP will also establish and maintain an integrated vision among different actors while ensuring adherence to all project objectives, performance and reporting requirements, and donor regulations. S/he will oversee coordination of field operations and ensure that activities meet USAID and Plan standards. The position is contingent upon award of the project by the donor.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall technical and managerial oversight and leadership for the project;
• Design and direct program activities in consultation with USAID and key stakeholders;
• Lead a team of technical experts, advisors, local partners, and other project staff;
• Serve as the primary in-country point of contact with USAID, partner organizations, national government stakeholders, and other donors and implementers;
• Ensure efficient and compliant management of financial and human resources;
• Oversee management, delivery, and monitoring of sub-grants;
• Supervise field operations, administration, logistics and procurement;
• Supervise program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting and ensure quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required by the grant and donor;
• Assure full compliance with all USAID, Plan International, and other fiduciary regulations

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree or higher in international development, education, public policy, social sciences, or related field and ten (10) years of work experience, or Bachelor’s degree and fifteen (15) years of work experience;
• Previous experience with planning and implementing USAID funded projects, preferably in Malawi or East Africa;
• Substantial experience and knowledge working in Education, specifically at the secondary school level, including building on existing structures to increase the availability, access, and/or quality of education, including remedial skills, lifeskills, health and leadership, mentorship, and financial inclusion;
• Previous experience working and collaborating with education and other key stakeholders (government/implementors).
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender transformative programming and experience in implementing programs with gender-focused components;
• Proven leadership qualities, excellent program and personnel management skills;
• Fluency in English and excellent oral and written skills required.

Plan is a diverse and inclusive organization. Candidates of all genders and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.