Chief of Party – Malawi – Tisamale Mabuku at Education Development Center (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.

Project Description

This project aims to enhance community engagement in teaching and learning material (TLM) utilization and management in Malawian primary schools. The project will activate local community structures to monitor and advocate for effective management and utilization of TLMs in public primary schools and increase public awareness of the importance of TLMs for literacy development. The Intermediate Results are:

1. Communities and civil society monitor, report on, provide support for, and advocate for effective management, replenishment, utilization, and accountability for TLMs in public primary schools and community
2. Communities and civil society contribute to improved management, accessibility, and utilization of TLM data for public primary schools and their communities
3. Public awareness of intended utilization and management of TLMs in public primary schools and their communities, and the role of the community, is enhanced

Position Description

The Chief of Party (COP) will have overall responsibility for coordination of all project activities, staff and subcontractors, including overseeing program work planning, performance management and strategic communication. They will have primary responsibility for representation of the project to the donor, government counterparts and local partners. The COP will have the leadership qualities, technical expertise and experience, management experience, interpersonal skills, and relationships to fulfill the requirements of the program description. Tasks the COP will be responsible for include:

• Provide guidance on all aspects of technical design;
• Oversee program work planning, performance management and strategic communication;
• Represent the project to the donor, government counterparts and local partners;
• Ensure compliance with USAID regulations; and
• Provide oversight on all aspects of the project.

The candidate for the position of Chief of Party shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

A Bachelor’s Degree in a related area, Master’s Degree preferred.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in the development, implementation, and management of activities of similar scope in Malawian and/or a similar context in education, community development or governance; previous experience as a COP, or in an equivalent Program Manager function, is preferred;
• Understanding of the technical activities this activity will implement;
• Direct management experience with USAID strongly preferred;
• Direct experience supervising professional and support staff;
• Demonstrated experience working in education development with demonstrated experience in education management and governance as well as education quality improvement at national and local levels;
• Experience with programs incorporating social accountability measures;
• Experience achieving results, with specific and relevant development outcomes achieved as a result of the proposed COP’s leadership well documented;
• Ability to work in teams and foster partnerships, with specific instances when the COP has formed, led, or participated in relevant partnerships well documented;
• Ability to lead local capacity development and facilitate community-led problem solving, institutional strengthening, and partnership building, as well as to work collaboratively with other implementing partners, donors, and host country institutions. This includes a demonstrated ability to work with local partners to ensure adherence to all sub-award requirements;
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning skills;
• Understanding of TLM (teacher learning materials) procurement systems;
• Demonstrated skills in high-level strategic visioning and leadership and experience managing large teams and complex activities, coordinating and building consensus across multiple partner institutions (governmental, non-governmental, private sector, etc.), and problem solving in politically sensitive contexts;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of human and institutional capacity building and professional development;
• Commitment to results for women and girls, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations; and
• Strong communication skills and ability to manage high quality, timely, reporting and communication efforts.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.