Chief of Party, Fundamental Freedoms Fund

Counterpart International is seeking a Chief of Party to support an upcoming Department of State opportunity focused on defending and protecting human rights, countering threats to democratic institutions, and addressing discrimination, inequity, and marginalization globally. The Chief of Party will oversee a consortium of eight NGOs to implement Fundamental Freedoms Fund (FFF IV). In response to “action forcing events,” the FFF IV will develop projects that will defend and protect human rights; counter threats to democratic institutions; and address discrimination, inequity, and marginalization in all its forms.

This position would either be fully remote or based in the DC office if the selected candidate has proper work authorization.

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Senior Director of Governance, the COP will be responsible for the Fundamental Freedoms Fund IV full project management, ensuring deliverables go to the highest standards of excellence. The COP will play a pivotal role in strategically aligning project activities with the objectives outlined by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). As the key leadership figure, the COP will coordinate the consortium of eight partners develop individual projects in response to “action-forcing events,” such as snap elections, changes in government leadership, and threats to democratic institutions. The successful candidate will navigate the complexities of diverse project themes, including human rights, rule of law, media, electoral processes, citizen engagement, and labor, ensuring timely and impactful interventions. The COP will work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration or Grants Manager to guarantee sound financial management, compliance, and transparent reporting, contributing to the overall success and sustainability of the projects. This leadership position requires a dynamic individual with a proven track record in international project management, a commitment to human rights, and a strategic mindset to drive positive change in defending fundamental freedoms globally.

Other key responsibilities include the following:

• Manage the project to ensure the full completion of Department of State deliverables.
• Work with other technical program staff to ensure that the program’s beneficiaries receive assistance from appropriate information security resources in a timely manner.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel, implementing partners, and grantees, with a focus on achieving work plan targets and core results in a timely manner and on budget.
• Supervise senior technical program staff, which may include a Director of Finance and Operations, Grant Manager, etc.
• Review and approve required reports to DOS.
• Responsible for overall project leadership, management, technical direction and vision, oversight, quality, and compliance, and maintaining relationships with DOS/DRL and stakeholders.
• Lead strategy design and annual workplan development and oversee the program’s robust learning agenda as well as program monitoring and reporting.
• Ensuring the timely submission and quality of all project deliverables, identifying obstacles and risks related to implementation and suggesting appropriate adjustments to the home office and the donor.
• Oversee administration of sub-awards.
• Ensure that long and short-term technical assistance provided by the project is technically sound and appropriate for the local context.
• Participate in specialized content (technical) events such as workshops and roundtables, support knowledge management, and share learning across key networks.
• Represent Counterpart and the Project at international and regional events, as necessary.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities, as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Governance and Civil Society and/or other related fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience of progressive responsibility in international development; 3 years of working on governance and human rights protection programs.
• Previous experience managing subawards, including short term, rapid response grant mechanisms
• Previous experience leading Department of State projects, preferable for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
• High degree of computer literacy under Windows and at least one other operating system.
• Experience working with DOS and/or USAID contracts or grants.
• Demonstrated experience managing and implementing development projects focused on human rights protection, counter threats to democratic institutions and civil society strengthening,
• Fluency in English.

PREFERRED

• Graduate Degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Political Science, Governance and Civil Society and/or other related fields.
• Experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple partners and implementing organizations across multiple regions.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and deliver quality outputs.
• Experience with adaptive management approaches preferred.
• Proficiency in a foreign language (Spanish or French preferred).