POSITION TITLE: Chief of Party, Liberia Water Supply Activity
LOCATION: Monrovia, Liberia
GROUP: Agriculture, Resilience and Water
REPORTS TO: Water Unit Technical Director
POSITION SUMMARY:
Winrock is seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID-funded project that aims to improve access, use, and sustainability of water services in Margibi and Montserrado counties in Liberia. The COP will manage the overall program, reporting to the Director of Winrock’s Water Unit. This position is contingent on receipt of donor funding.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and implement project’s strategy to strengthen water services and utilities.
- Lead team to review existing service levels and water points against latest water point maps and sector reports.
- Establish service standards for water utilities in both counties.
- Advise government counterparts on technical issues and participate in relevant advisory and/or working groups with counterparts, partner institutions, relevant Government Ministries in target countries and all other local stakeholders.
- Provide programmatic leadership and oversee the strategic planning of activities in support of the project goals and objectives, including the determination of project priorities and appropriate technical initiatives.
- Apply adaptive management and learning approach to iteratively evaluate program results and impact. Institute adjustments to replicate and scale successful activities and course correct activities that are not yielding desired results.
- Represent the project in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations.
- Serve as principal liaison to USAID/Liberia.
- Manage relationships with complementary USAID and donor projects.
QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:
Education:
- Master’s Degree (or foreign equivalent) in international development, public/business administration, civil engineering, natural resource management, or a similar relevant field (a bachelor's degree and at least 15 years' experience may be substituted).
Work Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of DCOP- or COP-level experience for USAID projects.
- Experience working in Liberia in water supply, water resource management, utility operations and finance preferred.
- Professional experience in water system design, operation & maintenance, financing water supply, and consumer engagement preferred.
- An understanding of policy, economics, and market issues in the water supply sector.
- Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
- Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of similar size and complex international donor support programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
- Contract management experience for USAID preferred.
Skills:
- Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of Liberia.
- Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures as related to project management required.
- Ability to diplomatically supervise staff and coordinate programs with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Ability to build coalitions and networks that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions for the project.
- Must be comfortable in high-level representational role and in interacting with government stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the initiative and to effectively coordinate with a wide range of regional stakeholders.
- Fluency in written and oral English is required.
Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law.