Position
Summary/ Objective
The International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to provide
vision, leadership and direction to ensure the strategic, programmatic,
technical, and financial integrity of a 5-year USAID project on combatting
wildlife crime in Malawi and Zambia through strengthened, coordinated,
collaborative and innovative approaches.
The COP’s primary
responsibility will be to successfully implement and integrate a project with
six (6) core activities and support IFAW’s existing related efforts in Malawi
and Zambia to combat wildlife crime. The COP will provide overall management,
technical leadership, coordination and collaboration with implementing partners
and strategic oversight of all activities to cost-effectively achieve project
objectives.
Role and
Responsibilities
Lead
overall planning and management of all project activities.
Develop
and maintain relationships with key institutions, such as partners including
Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) in Malawi and Zambia, Lilongwe
Wildlife Trust (LWT), and Game Rangers International (GRI); international
donors; private sector actors; NGOs and research bodies critical to the success
of the project .
Mentor,
support, supervise and manage a team of highly qualified staff and align their
efforts to ensure rapid and sustainable results.
Work
closely with IFAW headquarters and regional staff to ensure effective, timely
and coordinated project implementation.
Lead
the annual work planning process in close collaboration with the project team,
USAID, and project partners.
Ensure
the quality and timeliness of all deliverables and ensure strong integration
across the six (6) core activities and underlying tasks.
Oversee
preparation of periodic project reports to IFAW headquarters and donors.
Ensure
effective coordination of activities with relevant partners, Zambian and
Malawian government agencies, civil society and business organizations,
international donor institutions and other USAID and USG funded initiatives to
maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort.
Represent
IFAW’s interests and communicate progress, achievements and lessons learned to
key stakeholders including USAID and implementing partners in public and
professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations.
Work
with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff to develop M&E frameworks
and effectively track data/results, monitoring and reporting on progress toward
achieving the project award objectives.
Ensure
resources for project implementation are available.
Assure
sound financial management of the project (e.g. budget execution,
program-finance linkages, monitoring and reporting processes and procurement
systems) and adhere to IFAW and USAID financial policies and procedures.
Oversee
total compliance with IFAW and USAID regulations in all aspects of program implementation.
Qualifications
and Education Requirements
Experience
with anti-poaching initiatives and countering wildlife trafficking.
Demonstrated
capacity to lead and manage large aid agency-funded projects. Experience
managing USAID programs of equal size, scope and complexity in a similar
context is highly desirable.
In-depth
knowledge of USAID projects, regulations, compliance and reporting.
Program
management skills must include i) program planning, ii) technical direction and
oversight, iii) program administration and financial management, iv) award
contractual compliance, and v) sub-award management in other countries of the
world especially in East Africa.
Demonstrated
experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing project
start-up.
Experience
supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and
skills to meet evolving program needs.
Excellent
diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and sustain interpersonal
and professional relationships with USAID missions, host-country counterparts
and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, PVOs, the private
sector and other donors.
Demonstrate
outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building and
representational skills.
Proficiency
in Microsoft Office.
Fluency
in English (ability to read, write and communicate with stakeholders).
Understanding
of the Malawian (or similar) social and political context.
Bachelor’s
degree in Zoology, Natural Resource Management, Conservation and International
Wildlife Trade, Biodiversity, International Development or related field of
study.
Ability
to travel nationally and internationally.
Desired
Qualifications:
Advanced
degree is preferred.
Prior
experience in a COP capacity for USAID is highly preferred.
Experience
in Southern Africa (particularly Malawi and/or Zambia) is highly preferred.
Please note:
this position is contingent upon award. Malawian nationals are encouraged to
apply.
Please forward
letter of interest with credentials to attention of Gia Thomas at recruitus@ifaw.org
