Chief of Party (COP), USAID/ Strengthening Regional Peace and Stability Program, Accra at Management Systems International (MSI)

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Proposal Summary:

The anticipated goal of this multi-year program is to strengthen community, national and regional peacebuilding and conflict mitigation mechanisms and capacities in key countries in West Africa. The program will also focus on preventing and countering violent extremism in these countries.

Position Summary:

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for providing strategic guidance, technical leadership and ensuring overall oversight and implementation of the anticipated program. The position is expected to be based in Accra, Ghana. Specific countries of focus may include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Mauritania, and Niger.

Responsibilities:

•  Provide overall leadership, technical oversight, quality control, management, and thought leadership to the program.
•  Oversee program implementation; collaborate with USAID, national and regional government actors, and stakeholders, including program partners, public and private sector organizations, service providers, and beneficiaries to address program objectives.
•  Support and supervise staff, consultants, and partners involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of this program.
•  Coordinate with MSI Home Office and USAID counterparts to ensure program compliance with MSI and USAID regulations and requirements.
•  Foster and maintain excellent and effective relationships with USAID and other donors and government officials.
•  Produce effective written reports and oral presentations on the program, including preparing periodic reports, updating on developmental challenges facing the program, and articulating the program’s success in meeting deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

•  A Master’s degree or higher in international development, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation or management, public administration, or a closely related field.
•  Minimum of twelve (12) years of progressively responsible experience designing, implementing, and managing programs sponsored by USAID or other international donors.
•  Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
•  Previous experience working in sub-Saharan Africa countries experiencing conflict, instability, or political transition. Experience in West Africa preferred.
•  Demonstrated expertise in countering and preventing violent extremism or community resilience and social cohesion.
•  Demonstrated excellence in strategic management and experience managing complex programs across multiple countries or locations.
•  Demonstrated experience coordinating and aligning programming with national and regional governing bodies.
•  Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage and motivate teams.
•  Complete fluency in oral and written English. Working professional proficiency in oral and written in French.

Highly Desired Qualifications:

•  Previous experience with USAID.
•  Previous experience working in West Africa and/or the Sahel, with a particular focus on Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.
•  Demonstrated experience working directly or coordinating with one or more of the following organizations: ECOWAS, G5 Sahel, Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), or African Union or United Nations working groups.
•  Fluency in Akuapem Twi, Asante Twi, Fante, Dagaare and Dagbanli a plus.

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accommodations: MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please email MSI.Dept.HRRecruiting@tetratechinc.onmicrosoft.com with “Reasonable Accommodations” in the title. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.