Chief of Party (Basic Education Program)

The COP will be responsible for providing technical leadership and overall management direction for the project. This person is also responsible for project inputs, program strategy, operations, external representation and coordination with project counterparts, USAID, the Guatemalan government, other donors within the sector and other programs as necessary. The COP is ultimately responsible for compliance with the agreement results and the oversight of project activities which will meet the stated objectives within the targeted districts. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and Save the Children’s regulations. The project must be designed to align closely with the current objectives of the Guatemalan government so that activities are complementary and create sustainability. This position is employed by Save the Children and seconded to the project team. This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding. What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Lead the project’s strategic, financial, and operational planning, including the annual work planning process and development of an appropriate exit strategy;
• Oversee the timely submission of all deliverables to USAID, including quarterly and annual reports, annual work plans, performance indicators, financial reports, and regular results reporting as needed in addition to overall quality control;
• Supervise all program staff and manage the work of all sub-grantees;
• Ensure good practice by supporting the development of strong M&E mechanisms and a robust monitoring process;
• Play a leading and substantive role in developing and implementing program activities;
• Provide overall coordination of the institutional/organizational capacity building of local NGOs and other key stakeholders;
• Fully inform Save the Children’s home/field office on all matters relating to the project, and maintain appropriate links with partner home/field offices;
• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the project (including sub-grant management, financial, capacity building and performance monitoring and reporting) are in place and support the effective use of project resources in compliance with USAID regulations and Save the Children policies;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where the project team strives to achieve excellence;
• Incorporate SC’s vision and values and full adherence to Code of Conduct principles;
• Closely monitor security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security dynamics in the project areas and report to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director on significant changes in the security context.
• Represent the project with USAID, the Guatemalan government, donors, and partners;
• Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Country Director.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Administration, Management or related field is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is required, or at least 10 years demonstrated technical and management experience in education, with experience in Guatemala and/or LAC preferred;
• Technical understanding of primary education issues;
• COP experience in education with an emphasis on girls’ education strongly preferred;
• At least 8 years of demonstrated excellence in senior level management and leadership, including direct supervision of professional and support staff, evaluation of staff performance, and contract/grant management is preferred;
• Experience in institutional capacity building of government counterparts at the national and/or local level is preferred; strong analytical skills related to this technical area a plus;
• Excellent past performance references are required;
• Demonstrated experience managing operations for a multi-million dollar complex, donor-funded project is preferred;
• Ability to identify, address and resolve communication issues within the activity and with external stakeholders and coordinating multiple implementing partners or institutions within Guatemala or the region is preferable;
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, a collaborative and flexible manner, creativity and willingness to innovate;
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with USAID/Guatemala, host government partners at the national and district levels, and personnel within the activity is required; strong visionary leadership and demonstrated professional accomplishments;
• Excellent representational and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations;
• In-depth knowledge of USAID regulations, procedures, documentation and policies;
• Fluent oral and strong analytical, written English and Spanish communications skills are required.

Why you should join the Save the Children Team Save the Children US offers outstanding benefits that include health, dental, vision and life insurances, pet insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program, 403(b), generous vacation, personal sick leave, family leave, parental/adoption leave, commuter benefits, dress for your day, and much more. Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in YOU! 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. *Our work for children and their families requires that we commit—at every opportunity—to work together to identify and dismantle persistent systemic and structural racism, inequality, and any other forms of discrimination in this country and beyond. As an anti-racist organization, Save the Children will not tolerate discrimination in any form—in our employment practices, amongst our staff, in our leadership or toward the people we serve. We stand in solidarity with all people to fight for equal rights, justice, inclusion, and belonging.* 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. 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 we are 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. Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.