Chief of Party - Opportunities to Learn (OTL)

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

The IRC began working in Nigeria in 2012, providing assistance to communities displaced by large-scale floods. In response to escalating armed conflict in 2014, the IRC launched an emergency response in Yola and has since scaled health and nutrition, education, protection, and WASH programming across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. As one of the largest multi-sector actors in the northeast, the IRC has strong linkages with civil society organizations (CSOs), state line ministries, and local stakeholders to ensure lasting gains for communities in need.

SCOPE OF WORK

The IRC seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for a five-year, multi-million dollar USAID education activity already in its 2^nd year in Nigeria. The project will equip out-of-school children and youth in northeast Nigeria with the foundational skills needed to progress to higher levels of education, training and/or engagement in the workforce.

The COP will be responsible for ensuring the project is implemented in accordance with the terms of the USAID award (cooperative agreement), USAID regulations, principles of IRC, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The COP will be the primary representational link with USAID staff. The position will be based in Maiduguri, Nigeria where the team is based.

Final selection is contingent on USAID approval.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall leadership and technical direction for the project, ensuring completion of project deliverables.
• Responsible for the overall planning, implementation, administration, and financial management of the project, as well as the achievement of all impact goals and objectives.
• Coordinate with government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure activities complement ongoing initiatives and adhere to country and global standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the donor and Nigerian Ministry of Education. Report to USAID through formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, etc.
• Represent the project and organization at regional, national, and international forums, including technical conferences and policy briefings, and share information about project achievements and lessons learned within the organization and wider development community.
• Oversee the development, review, and monitoring of yearly work plans and project strategy documents to ensure long- and short-term priorities are on track.
• Manage project staff and consortium partners to ensure proper reporting, financial management, and compliance

Position Reports to: the Country director CD

Indirect/Technical Reporting: DDP, STA and USAID Contacts

Position directly Supervises: OTL SMT members and Technical Leads

Key Internal Contacts: IRC SMT, Education TC, STA, ETC