Chief of Party (BHA Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience Activity)

Corus International

Kathmandu, Nepal

Based in Kathmandu or in another program province, the Chief of Party (COP) will provide overall technical leadership and operational oversight for the anticipated "ER4 Activity," which is expected to: 1 Strengthen community disaster risk management capacity to withstand and recover from disasters; 2) Improve coordination across tiers of the Government of Nepal (GoN) to enhance preparedness and response; 3) Build local capacity for implementing risk-informed interventions; and 4) Facilitate the development of resilient livelihoods and social protection mechanisms to reduce vulnerability to recurrent shocks. The COP will serve as the primary liaison with USAID, other Development Partners working in Nepal, and Corus International's headquarters based in Baltimore/Washington, DC (HQ), as well as relevant project stakeholders fostering collaborative working relationships. S/he will ensure the project's goals, objectives, and strategy are achieved and that contractual requirements are met on time and within budget. S/he is responsible for directing the project team with an integrated vision, applying effective leadership and strategic planning skills, management experience, outstanding interpersonal skills, and strong written and oral communication skills. The COP also is responsible for ensuring compliance with Corus's policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations, including responsibility for ensuring sub-awardee compliance and monitoring the quality of program implementation. 

Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and USAID approval.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide overall management, strategic direction, and technical leadership to the project to achieve expected project results within budget and timeframe;
Serve as principal liaison to USAID and the Government of Nepal, ensuring high levels of coordination, while nurturing relationships with all key stakeholders, including partner organizations at the national and subnational level, on administrative, financial, and programmatic matters related to the project;
Liaise with USAID partners and other donors, as well as implementing partners and stakeholders, to ensure coordination of and harmonization with relevant resilience, disaster preparedness, and economic recovery efforts;
Lead project teams (e.g. technical, program, finance, and operational staff) to ensure program tasks, deliverables, and responsibilities are met; staff management includes hiring, supervising, and mentoring project staff ;
Oversee project deliverables, including ensuring report preparation and high-quality timely submission, and ensuring cross-cutting issues are effectively integrated into project implementation;
Direct preparation of annual work plans, project activity updates, and other project- related communication and reporting materials;
Represent the USAID project in all technical, policy, and programmatic fora at all levels (regional, national, and international);
Ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

Qualifications:

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with progressively increasing responsibilities and duties in a field related to the successful implementation of the project, such as disaster risk reduction, resilience building, international development, or humanitarian response;
Demonstrated leadership qualities, including technical, management, and evaluation expertise for complex programs in resource-constrained countries; prior experience as a COP for USAID-funded projects over $5 million is required;
An advanced graduate degree in agricultural economics, business administration, international development, governance, or related field;
Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Nepal required, with experience working in Nepal preferred;
Extensive experience working in South Asia, with specific knowledge of Nepal's socio-political context preferred;
Knowledge of USAID policies and approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience, including at least eight years of senior-level management experience working on international donor agency-funded projects;
Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners;
English fluency with professional proficiency in writing required. Knowledge of Nepali is an asset;
Experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies, and aligning program activities and results with national strategies;
Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining strong relationships with government agencies, international donor agencies (USAID, WB, FCDO, UN agencies, GF, etc.), and private sector stakeholders;
Knowledge of and experience with USAID rules and regulations required;
Strong staff supervision skills and demonstrated ability to coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences;
Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams;
Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in Nepal.