Party Leader – Kenya

The Chief of Party (COP) is responsible for the overall leadership of the USAID-funded Strengthening Civic Participation of Youth and Women in Sudan program, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. The project aims to strengthen the collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to promote youth and women inclusion, participation, and leadership in Sudan. Following the outbreak of war in Sudan, the program relocated its activities to Nairobi and Kampala to adapt and meet the growing and evolving needs of Sudanese citizens. The program’s administrative headquarters operates from Nairobi, while there is a program-focused office in Kampala.

Main responsibilities

• The COP leads the coordination of all activities of all relevant parties, including USAID/Sudan, civil society organizations, media, key stakeholders, and other implementing partners. The COP oversees project staff, local partners, and the CSM-STAND consortium and technical resource partners for results-oriented planning, leadership, and coordination of project activities. The COP role requires flexibility in overseeing staff in two countries supporting program activities in Sudan, in coordination with CSM-STAND management in Washington, DC. Specific activities include:
• Ensure high quality, results-oriented technical programming and be responsible for program delivery, working with the CSM STAND management team.
• Serves as the primary liaison to the USAID Agreement Officer (AOR) representative on management and technical matters.
• Ensure that the project meets the established objectives, results, benchmarks and reporting requirements as set out in the USAID agreement.
• Take a leadership role in coordination between USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, other stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities between project partners and ensure successful integration of activities.
• Strategically oversee and manage the implementation of a program grant portfolio to support local partners, including the systems and monitoring mechanisms to ensure its effectiveness – all in close collaboration with Pact teams.
• Ensure compliance with USAID rules/regulations and Pact processes and work closely with Pact’s U.S. team to ensure that all project activities comply with U.S. Government rules and regulations and Pact policies, procedures and best practices.
• Oversee program planning (i.e. developing work plans and project budgets), monitoring and reporting (i.e. reviewing and approving regular budgets and technical and financial reports) to the highest standards.
• Monitor the programme budget and work closely with the Deputy COP to achieve expected results and ensure cost-effective use of donor and Pact resources.
• Lead a team of flexible and adaptable staff across multiple locations and oversee evidence-based adjustments to programming for greater impact.
• Ensure that the program meets programmatic and financial objectives and produces accurate forecasts.
• Represent the project at conferences, working groups and meetings to support USAID and Pact thought leadership in local governance, capacity development and civil society empowerment.
• Act as safety point of contact and ensure the safety of Pact employees and property at all times.
• The employee adheres to all company policies and procedures, completes all training topics to ensure compliance within the applicable deadlines and receives a corresponding confirmation of completion of the training.
• All other assigned tasks

basic requirements

• Master’s degree and at least 11 years of relevant professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience, including 6 years of management experience.
• At least eleven years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities
• At least eight years of experience as a COP or in a comparable leadership role in donor-funded democracy and governance projects.
• Proven ability to successfully operate and manage a large-scale grant program in support of local partners.
• In-depth knowledge of Sudan’s political, social and economic context and key civil society actors.
• Experience managing large and complex USAID contracts/awards in conflict environments.
• Ability to work in complex environments and collaborate with and across diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media actors, private sector companies, and U.S. agencies.
• Experience in capacity building for civil society organizations and/or media actors in Sudan and/or the East Africa or Horn of Africa regions.
• Proven knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working on civil society programs in conflict environments and/or offshore.
• Proven understanding of the role of civil society and the media in Sudan.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship, genetic information, enrollment, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit-related factors.
At Pact, we recognize your importance, provide you with opportunities and support your overall well-being. Our comprehensive benefits offering can include health insurance, retirement plans (8.8% to 13% depending on seniority) and savings plans, paid vacation, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs, and other optional benefit options.
Given the ongoing impact of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking steps to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and ensure the safety of the communities in which we operate. Pact strives for a COVID-19-free environment and prefers that all employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status is required for employment at Pact. Additional health and safety requirements may apply to unvaccinated employees, including any federal, state and/or client-side restrictions.