Chief of Party (CoP) Full Time NEW

Starting Date: 03/02/2025

Period: 12 months

Language: English

Reporting to:

• Directly report to the Country Representative (1st Supervisor) and to the Regional Manager (2nd Supervisor).
• Functionally report to donor/thematic focal point/s for each specific sector and donor.

Aim of the position:

Job Background: The core purpose of the Chief of Party is to provide leadership in the management and implementation of a project in food security, agri-business, nutrition. This position will be responsible for the management and oversight of the project, to include leading the preparation of sector work plans, monitoring project progress, timely delivery of all reporting and deliverable, ensure performance quality, and compliance with donor and AVSI internal requirements. Furthermore, this position will lead planning, coordination, and implementation efforts, with representatives from the Government of South Sudan at national, regional, departmental, and commune levels, NGO sectoral working groups, AVSI implementing partners, and all other relevant stakeholders.
The CoP is expected to identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner, recommend appropriate program adjustments, and ensure smooth functioning among and between donor and other key stakeholders. S/he will supervise activity implementation and ensure that program activities meet the stated goals, objectives, and reporting requirements. The CoP position requires strong and positive communication skills. The CoP must demonstrate the ability to work in complex environments and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines.
The CoP will supervise all the project staffs, including technical sector leads, and in participate in program related tasks.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for information on the progress and current status of all activities under the award.
• Oversee the completion of all technical requirements, including project results and deliverable, in accordance with the project work plan.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with the donor, project partners, and key stakeholders. Serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders.
• Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct the planning and budgeting processes. Create or adapt management systems in line with AVSI standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency with project needs.
• Build partnerships among international, national and community-level stakeholders.
• Establish appropriate monitoring mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported and that project objectives are met.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of work plans, M&E plans, and all reports, ensuring the quality of all deliverable.
• Design and oversee an annual project cycle in accordance with donor’s annual planning cycles.
• With staff and partners, translate project goals and objectives into implementable strategies and plans.
• Oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual project activity reports, M&E reports, and other deliverable, as specified in the agreement. Report against the project’s targets.
• Represent the project at high-level meetings, conferences, and other fora.
• Guide team members to fulfill the project’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Supervise and mentor senior staff, delegating responsibilities as appropriate. Clearly communicate expectations for staff performance.

Essential Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Management, Agriculture, Development Studies or other related fields of study from a recognized university.
• Language proficiency: Proficient knowledge of English (written and oral) C1.
• Work experience: at least8 years of experience in development/Humanitarian context.
• Prior experience as a Chief of Party / Project Manager.
• Programming experience in the areas of food security and livelihood, nutrition, agri-business, MEAL, community and conflict sensitivity integration.
• Demonstrated success across the whole range of project management responsibilities, including strategic program planning, work planning and budgeting, financial, administrative and oversight.
• Demonstrated successes in relationship management and collaboration with local partners and stakeholders, host government representatives and private sector enterprises.

Required skills and experiences:

• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills with demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in diverse team situations, build and maintain a cohesive team spirit, as well as mentor staff
• Master’s degree in relevant field would be an added advantage
• Experience in South Sudan
• Proficient knowledge of the standard IT software
• Experience in community-based approaches in project implementation
• Excellent communication skills. Fluent English (both oral and written)
• Strong negotiation and mediation skills and ability to work independently
• Report writing and computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, power point presentation and Internet
• Willingness to travel and work in rural areas for most of the time.

Tagged as: Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale, South Sudan