Save the Children in North Western Balkans seeks a Chief of Party (COP) based in Sarajevo for an ongoing USAID-funded project. The COP will be expected to provide strategic and operational leadership to implement our successful TABLA education program. TABLA contributes to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Education Sector Development Plan and is being implemented in full partnership with GoBiH.

The overall purpose of TABLA is to improve students’ outcomes in critical thinking and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. SC—in partnership with the National Education Institute Slovenia (NEIS), Foundation for Education in Action in BiH (FEiA), and Mreža za izgradnju mira (MZIM)—is taking a comprehensive and innovative approach to improving learning outcomes by strengthening teachers’ capacity, improving learning environments and encouraging reform dialogue and advocacy. This senior leadership position will build on our progress and provide overall project management, leadership and strategic guidance, representation and support to the TABLA Activity at the country, regional and international levels. The COP is accountable for Activity quality, compliance with USAID regulations and SC policies and procedures, and financial and operational management.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

The COP will be responsible for strategic leadership and oversight, and overall coordination and quality of the education reform project. S/he will serve as principle institutional liaison with USAID, partners, and key stakeholders. S/he will manage staff—a nationally and internationally recognized technical team—and ensure the program meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities throughout the life of the project. S/he will ensure sound grant implementation and management by sub-grantees. S/he will strengthen the coordination and efficiency of SC TABLA team by clarifying subtasks and empowering staff to reach clear objectives. S/he will ensure the timely submission of all technical and financial deliverables to USAID.

Specifically, the COP, as a member of the Country Office’s Extended Senior Management Team, will

  • Coordinate the development of strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program to achieve project objectives- 25%
  • Support and oversee the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation, in coordination with USAID M&E implementing partner and following IRB/ERC requirements – 20%
  • Ensure a high-quality program is delivered and performance targets are met, and ensure timely submission of high quality technical and financial deliverables to USAID – 15%
  • Ensure Activity success through high quality technical leadership and oversight is in place through management of the TABLA team, including the Deputy COP and a cadre of technical experts and consultants – 15%
  • Ensure contractual obligations, subgrants to sub-recipients, effective budget management, are met in a timely and cost-effective manner through direct and transparent communication with project staff and partners – 10%
  • Maintain critical oversight of high risk areas, including but not limited to procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and staff security in COVID19 pandemic work environments – 10%
  • Lead stakeholder, partner and donor meetings as needed, as well as TABLA staff meetings and ensure documentation of meetings, and represent SC with partners and key stakeholders, when necessary – 5%

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum 7-10 years' experience in managing education programs, project management, or international development. At least 5 years’ experience in senior program management.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience required in education, project management, international development, or a related field.
  • Excellent ability to obtain, analyze, and evaluate complex data and to organize and present these in a meaningful and concise way internally/externally as well as to plan, organize, manage and evaluate complex projects;
  • Creative problem solving skills with the ability to work effectively in resource-constrained environments is required;
  • Extensive familiarity with USAID regulations and policies;
  • Experience working with local governments to support and strengthen systems Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with a dynamic host country government counterparts is essential
  • Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision in challenging contexts, with an ability to develop and work through both government and non-government partners effectively and build cohesiveness
  • Exceptional experience in developing and managing highly-qualified staff
  • Experience managing programmatic and financial reporting requirements
  • Facilitating meetings and problem solving skills with and for a variety of audiences
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations

Preferred Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in education, project management, international development, or a related field.
  • Prior experience as a COP on a USAID-funded project is strongly preferred

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.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.

This vacancy is archived.

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