Chief of Party (COP), USAID/Benin Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity, Cotonou, Benin Full Time

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation, democracy and governance, peace and stability, rule of law and accountability, education, gender and inclusion, strategic communications, and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Proposal Summary:

MSI is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth (NELY) Activity in Benin. The anticipated goal of this multi-year program is to improve economic livelihoods for young men and women in northern Benin vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremist organizations.

Position Summary:

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for leading all aspects of program performance and management, providing strategic guidance, technical leadership and ensuring overall oversight and implementation of the anticipated program. The COP will serve as primary contact for USAID/Benin overseeing day-to-day management and serving as key liaison between project counterparts and partners, and representing the project to external audiences. The position is expected to be based in Cotonou, Benin.

Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership, technical oversight, quality control, management, and thought leadership to the program and its various offices.
• Oversee program implementation; collaborate with the USAID regional offices and USAID country offices, national and regional government actors, and stakeholders, including program partners, public and private sector organizations, service providers, and beneficiaries to address program objectives.
• Support and supervise staff, consultants, and partners involved in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of this program.
• Coordinate with MSI Home Office and USAID counterparts to ensure program compliance with MSI and USAID regulations and requirements.
• Foster and maintain excellent and effective relationships with USAID and other donors and government officials.
• Produce effective written reports and oral presentations on the program, including preparing periodic reports, updating on developmental challenges facing the program, and articulating the program’s success in meeting deliverables.

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher in international development, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation or management, public administration, or a related field; or, a Bachelor’s degree in international development, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation or management, public administration, or a related field plus an additional two (2) years of experience.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Prior experience designing, implementing, and managing programs for USAID.
• Previous experience working in francophone West Africa. Experience in Benin preferred.
• Prior experience countering and preventing violent extremism through economic livelihoods.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Spoken and written fluency in French and English.

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Reasonable Accommodations:

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