Chief of Party, State2State at Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI)

Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) is an international development company. For more than 45 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries.

Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Chief of Party, State2State

Location: Bauchi, Nigeria
Project: USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity
Period of Performance: LTTA

Background

• The purpose of the five-year (2020-2025) “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) Activity is to increase the accountability, transparency and effectiveness of selected state and local governments (LGAs) in Nigeria. This will be achieved by: strengthening governance systems (with a focus on public financial management [PFM] and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation) related to the delivery of services in key sectors (basic education, primary health care, and water, sanitation and hygiene [WASH]); increasing government responsiveness to citizen  needs and priorities; and improving government and civil society capacity to manage conflict (through work on prevention, mitigation and reconciliation with the same sectoral partners, not stand-alone assistance to the police or judiciary).
• State2State will achieve this purpose by facilitating the strengthening of subnational governance systems in a sustainable manner, supporting the efforts of local reformers and building on locally derived solutions including, to the extent possible, reforms already working in other parts of Nigeria.

Position Objectives

• The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for the technical leadership and in-country management of the project.
• S/he will oversee the long-term expatriate and local staff and short-term experts in achieving project results.
• S/he will undertake regular assessments of the broader political environment within which the project operates to ensure flexibility and rapid reprioritization of activities when necessary.
• The COP will directly supervise the Deputy Chief of Party; the Technical Director/PFM Advisor; the Citizen Engagement Director/Team Lead; the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; the Director of Finance and Administration; and the Compliance Manager.
• S/he will coordinate closely with the DAI Home Office Project Management Team.

Responsibilities

• The COP will be the principal point of contact in Nigeria for procedural and substantive matters. The COP will coordinate and ultimately be responsible for all contract management and implementation.
• The COP will be the primary liaison with USAID/Nigeria on technical matters and must adjust programs and operations in response to USAID/Nigeria technical direction.
• The COP will be responsible for responding to the designated COR and USAID/Nigeria’s Contracting Officer.
• The COP will also be responsible for ensuring quality control and the overall responsiveness of technical assistance provided under the award.
• The COP’s primary responsibilities are aimed at providing overall leadership, management and general technical direction of the entire activity, ensuring an integrated vision among different components and actors, and a focus on achieving the results of the activity. This individual will be expected to identify issues and risks related to activity implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments.

Reporting:

• The COP will report to the USAID COR and the DAI Project Team Director for North & West Africa.

Job Requirements

• Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, etc. However, five (5) additional years of relevant international development experience can be substituted for the Master’s degree.
• At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to democracy and governance activities under a USG instrument.
• Of those ten (10) years, at least five (5) years of demonstrated experience in senior program management, including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
• Experience in developing and managing multi-sectoral, multi-donor-funded programs.
• Experience working in the democracy and governance sector in Africa.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and communicate his/her vision to partners and colleagues.
• Proven experience navigating complex and high-pressure operating environments.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with different donors, civil society organizations and host country government counterparts.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.