Chief of Party, Community-based Basic Education Activity – Mali

Save the Children is currently accepting applications for a seasoned Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID-funded Community-based Basic Education Activity in Mali. This 5-year cooperative agreement will improve early grade reading and math skills of young learners with a focus on improving the quality of instruction, boosting community demand, and broadening safe, equitable formal and non-formal education services. The goal of the $25M-$50M project is to expand access to education pathways and improve reading and math outcomes, especially for girls and marginalized children in Mali.

The COP will be responsible for providing technical leadership and overall management direction for the project. This person is also responsible for project inputs, program strategy, operations, external representation and coordination with project counterparts, USAID, the Mali government, other donors within the sector and other programs as necessary. The COP is ultimately responsible for compliance with the agreement results and the oversight of project activities, which will meet the stated objectives within the targeted districts. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and Save the Children’s regulations. The project must be designed to align closely with the current objectives of the Mali government so activities are complementary and create sustainability. This position is employed by Save the Children and seconded to the project team.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Maintain responsibility for the technical leadership, strategic oversight, and overall coordination and technical quality of this basic education project;
• Make sure the program meets stated goals and reporting requirements, including the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities throughout the life of the project;
• Lead the program’s annual work planning process, detailing resource deployment estimates (personnel, equipment, and budget) necessary to achieve proposed milestones and targets;
• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the program are in place and support the effective use of program resources in compliance with USAID regulations and Save the Children policies;
• Prioritize and strengthen sustainability of the program, including working closely with Ministry of Education counterparts to ensure that sustainability plans are grounded in the realities of the context;
• Ensure sound grant implementation and management by sub-grantees and project staff and the timely submission of all technical and financial deliverables to USAID;
• Fully inform Save the Children’s Mali and US offices on all matters relating to the program, and maintain appropriate links with partner organizations;
• Supervise the project office and key personnel;
• Promote a collaborative, accountable work culture, and provide support for professional growth paying attention to gender equality and diversity
• Oversee the hiring process of national-level personnel. Supervise identification and selection of appropriate short- and long-term technical assistance;
• Represent the project for Save the Children in formal and informal relationships with USAID, the Mali government, other donors and partners;
• Serve as principle institutional liaison with USAID, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure the project is implemented to the highest standards possible, paying attention to Save the Children’s principles of child safeguarding, child rights and child participation.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in education, project management, international development, or a related field from an accredited university
• At least 5 years’ experience managing and implementing education or social transformation programs in the global south
• Familiarity with USAID regulations and policies, including financial
• Demonstrated skills in collaboration, with an ability to work with government and non-government partners effectively to strengthen systems and promote sustainability;
• Proven experience in recruiting, developing and managing staff to promote gender equality, diversity, social inclusion and a collaborative work culture
• Familiarity with USAID Monitoring and Evaluation requirements and processes, including Collaborating, Learning, Adapting (CLA) practices;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in any of the following areas is an advantage: early-grade literacy; non-formal education; gender equality in education; inclusive education; community engagement; teacher training; teaching; distance education; edtech, School Related Gender Based Violence
• Prior experience in Mali or elsewhere in the region.
• Commitment to child rights, gender equality and social inclusion, as well as to enabling the participation of children, women, and minority voices

Qualified local candidates, especially women, people with disabilities and people from minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why you should join the Save the Children Team

Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in YOU!

About Save the Children

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

*Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.*

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