The Chief of Party (COP) I will oversee all aspects of the program implementation. The individual will be the principal liaison with both the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) and other US Government officials as required, as well as key representatives of the government of DRC (GDRC). S/he will coordinate and provide technical and administrative leadership to the program.

The Chief of Party (COP) I is responsible for, technical leadership and overall management oversight of one or several programs. The COP I will ensure high-quality program(s) implementation, with a focus on achieving the program goals. S/he/they will take a leadership role in coordinating all activities across all relevant parties, including the donor, the host Government, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.

The COP I may also oversee the management and performance of sub-awardees for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of program activities in collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) Lead.

The COP I is responsible for actively managing business development efforts, capturing needs, liaising with stakeholders and donors, managing proposal development in collaboration with the BD team, drafting high quality proposal pieces, providing technical input on concept notes and proposals responsive to the unique legal, political, and operational climate of the assigned country(ies).

The COP I contributes to the organization’s thought leadership initiatives by sharing insights, conducting research, and participating in relevant forums.

S/he works closely with the HQ team to establish efficient operational systems, standard operating procedures, and governance mechanisms for the organization.

The COP I is responsible for managing all personnel under her/his/their authority including ensuring compliance with all ABA policies and systems.

S/he will also possess a solid understanding of human rights and counter trafficking in persons (C-TIP) issues, especially those relate to assistance to key sector institutions within the GDRC, including national counter-trafficking agencies; ministries of justice, gender, and social affairs; judicial councils; and other important actors usually involved in the fight against trafficking in persons.

This is a full-time position, reporting to the Africa Division Director in DC, and overseeing several project staff, including the Senior Trafficking Advisor; Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion Advisor; Field Finance Manager; MEL Officer; and Admin and Logistics Assistant.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall quality, compliance, and timeliness of project implementation, including development of comprehensive and inclusive workplans, award deliverables, impact assessments, and delivery of sub-grants and activities.
• Oversees or leads the country team’s coordination of activities with all relevant actors, including donors, host government representatives, key stakeholders, and implementing partners.
• Provides oversight of in country data collection/monitoring, evaluation, and learning efforts, and contributes to analysis.
• Manages all facets of the international development program cycle, from assessment or inception to design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Actively applies knowledge of international development industry practices, actors, and trends as well as expertise in rule of law and/or adjacent fields to design and implement international program(s) and interface effectively with donors, headquarters staff, and local counterparts.
• Applies fundamental program management principles, practices, and standards and knowledge of the program cycle, from assessment to design and implementation through evaluation in the management of technical and financial aspects of programs.
• Serves as a legal representative of ABA ROLI in the host country, signing contracts for personnel and vendors, approving and facilitating payments, and representing ABA ROLI before tax authorities, as needed.
• Collaborates with the HQ-based Program Management Unit (PMU) to ensure the project complies with USAID and ABA ROLI policies and procedures.
• Works with the field finance representative(s) and conducts financial oversight of all programs in country, including reviewing and approving expense reports, cash advances, cash requests, financial reconciliations, and other financial reports.
• Monitors the national and regional political and institutional context, in particular with regard to the relevant sectors.
• Ensures adequate oversight of HR matters, as needed, including but not limited to managing staff, being responsible for staff performance evaluations, overseeing staff timekeeping, enforcing open and transparent recruitment processes.
• Represents ABA CGP in presentations/briefings to donors, government officials, partners and law practitioners, both within and outside of the host country.
• Successfully manages the startup and close out of multi-year field programs, which might include sub-awardees, on schedule. Manages technical and financial aspects of programs to meet targets while effectively utilizing donor funds.
• Sets a high standard for accountability and quality in program performance and reporting. Ensures processes for monitoring and reporting are in place for successful implementation. Regularly reviews progress reporting against targets. Emphasizes tracking of progress against accomplishment of program outcomes. Approves data for reporting period in assigned country(ies) in accordance with all ABA policies and systems.
• Sets an example for the program in seeking evidence and incorporating evidence in decision making. Ensures program data is used for reflection and adaptations are proposed based on learning. Provides senior manager level review to evaluation and learning deliverables of the program.
• Maintains in-country donor relationships and leads donor and key partner conversations on important programmatic activities in collaboration with headquarters team. In collaboration with the Program Management Unit (PMU) lead, develops strategic partnerships and establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners (e.g., local bar association, law schools, NGOs, civil society, governmental agencies, UN, INGOs, etc.) to fulfill program objectives within cost constraints.
• Stays abreast of latest innovations in rule of law programming or adjacent fields. Meets with new and potential donors and staff to assess ABA ’s opportunity for new programming, either through expansion of current agreements or development of new agreements.
• Actively seeks and captures new business opportunities in the assigned country(ies) and keeps HQ staff informed about them. Works with the PMU and BD team to provide input and advice for the development of technical proposals for grant/contract applications. Leads and reviews technical and cost proposals.
• As needed, trains program staff and external stakeholders on ROL and/or adjacent issues related to the program(s) managed.
• Reviews and advises on program activities to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, and periodic program highlights.
• Drafts, reviews, and manages budgeting and financial reports for field office staff and operations. This includes but is not limited to Expense Reports, timekeeping systems, HQ financial reporting and requests, and budgets for cost extensions, and new programs. Ensures that financial reporting requirements and deadlines are met. Exhibits ethical financial decision making in all aspects of operations.
• Oversees the local workforce to ensure that they adhere to ABA policies, systems, and procedures related to compliance requirements. Applies donor rules and regulations, as well as the terms or conditions set forth by the donor found in the cooperative agreement/contract.
• Oversees the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team,
• as applicable and an organizational culture where ABA’s values are practiced.
• Works in tandem with HR Division on all staff matters, ensuring adherence to ABA HR policies, processes and practices. Keeps abreast of local employment laws and HR trends in the assigned country(ies). Manages staff and is responsible for staff performance evaluations, oversees staff timekeeping, is responsible for recruitment efforts in the assigned program(s).
• Ensures staff are aware and follow the labor law requirements set forth in the Local Office Policy Manual (LOPM) and is responsible for enforcement of the standards contained in the document.
• Ensures adequate oversight of HR matters, follows established recruitment processes and maintains sound HR practices, including management of HR files and Personally Identifiable information (PII), maintaining accurate time and attendance records; enforcing open and transparent recruitment processes; etc.
• Applies applicable GESI policies in the recruitment, management and retention of staff.
• Reviews and approves the program(s) procurement documents following ABA procurement requirements. Understands and applies procurement industry standards and best value for goods and services.
• Ensures adherence to safety and security protocols including a basic understanding of cyber security principles. Ensures staff are aware of and follow the safety and security protocols set forth in the Field Office Security Manual (FOSM). Carries out active drills and security protocols in collaboration with the PMU and HQ Security Director.
• Maintains an awareness and understanding of the economic, political, social, and security trends that have potential to impact the office’s operations and technical programing. He/She/They shall be prepared to implement mitigation measures to minimize the impact on operations and technical programming.
• Mentors and trains staff to further develop their skills and knowledge.
• Identifies and synthesizes good practices and lessons learned and leads adaptive management practices in the assigned country office.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in an international development setting with at least 6 years of leadership experience.
• Significant overseas experience with managing a similar size program(s)/portfolio.
• At least 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Has significant prior experience working as an international development professional abroad in a leadership role in more than one jurisdiction.
• Intermediate to advanced levels of knowledge and skills in financial management, HR, and compliance with the relevant donor policies and regulations.
• Knowledge of and experience of MEL practices and systems.
• Demonstratable experience in leading business development efforts and proposal writing.
• Experience in supervision of teams of individuals from different backgrounds and skillset.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize data, and evidence from programmatic activities and external sources to oversee all activities and lead high level technical presentations on subject matter expertise.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills with the ability to produce weekly updates, monthly reports, website updates, annual reports, periodic program highlights and business development concept notes and proposals.
• Intermediate to advanced levels of understanding of the program(s)/portfolio subject matter expertise.
• Experience starting up and closing out field programs.
• Previous experience applying FAR, acquisition regulations, or CFR 200 to donor-funded programs successfully.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• JD or MA in a relevant area. Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or master’s degree in a relevant area. NOTE: If the law degree is from a non-U.S. law school, the degree may not be required to be from an ABA-accredited law school.
• An advanced university degree in social sciences, such as human rights, international development, social work, public policy, law, or other areas directly related to understanding and providing services to vulnerable populations, or equivalent experience
• 10 years of progressively responsible project management experience in international development, preferably with US government donors
• 10 years of experience working in human rights, child protection, sexual and gender-based violence, legal reform, policy advocacy, survivor-centered service delivery, private sector partnerships, and/or monitoring and evaluation of trafficking in persons projects
• At least 8 years in a leadership position.
• Demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with senior government officials, the private sector, civil society, and international donors.
• Sound understanding of development, political, and human rights issues in DRC; knowledge of DRC counterparts and organizations active in human rights issues preferable.
• Excellent networking and alliance building skills.
• Relevant country or regional experience and language skills.
• Previous experience in managing similar size programs/portfolio with USG donors.
• Has written publication-ready pieces on rule of law issues and/or adjacent fields.
• Professional fluency in spoken and written French and English; fluency in a Congolese language preferable.