Chief of Party, USAID/Malawi Secondary Education

About IREX:
IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 600.

Summary of Position:
IREX seeks qualified Chief of Party (COP) candidates for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded secondary education activity in Malawi. Based in Lilongwe, the COP will oversee all aspects of program implementation, providing vision to the program and ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget.

This position is contingent on funding. Citizens of Malawi or permanent residents with work authorization strongly encouraged to apply.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise and serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters.
• Responsible for administering and managing the implementation of the activity and has the overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives.
• Responsible for all aspects of coordination and communication, including with the Malawian government, secondary schools, other donors, universities, the civil society sector, and other potential implementing partners.
• Supervise the work of all organizations (sub-awardees) and individuals engaged under the activity.
• Develop productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including government officials, Malawian secondary schools, higher education institutions, other donors and implementers, program beneficiaries and others.
• Develop strong collaborative, supportive, and mutually respectful relationships with diverse team members, with other leaders at IREX, and with leaders at key stakeholder and partner organizations.
• Oversee program budgeting and forecasting, financial management, compliance and subgrants management.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting to ensure the program adapts as needed to meet objectives and learning is acquired and shared broadly to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout program implementation while also promoting an evidence-based positive youth development approach.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor program staff, lead recruitment of specialized technical staff.
• Ensure that IREX’s safety and security policies and procedures are applied to all program and staff operations.
• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree, preferably in education, international development, economics, and/or public policy.
• At least 10 years of experience in early grade/secondary teacher and school leader quality improvement activities, in similar/relevant contexts, and experience in managing similar sized activities.
• Demonstrated ability to advise host country contacts at the ministerial level and create and maintain effective working relations with international and local stakeholders, NGOs, local partners, and U.S. Government Agencies.
• A good understanding of the local context.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, international donors, industry, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee budgets and effectively plan both strategically and creatively to meet program objectives on time and on budget.
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.
• Strong representational and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and writing ability in English required, proficiency in Chichewa preferred.