Chief of Party, Education

Application deadline: Monday, September 1st, 2014.

Since its inception in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been a global leader in emergency response and providing durable solutions for conflict- and crisis-affected populations. IRC launched its Lebanon program in September 2012, and has a presence in four regions (North, Bekaa, Mt. Lebanon, South) and five sectors: education, economic recovery and development, women’s protection and empowerment, child protection, and protection.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Lebanese national Chief of Party (COP) for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project to expand equitable access and improve learning outcomes for vulnerable students in Lebanese public schools. The COP will be responsible for ensuring that the proposed project is implemented in accordance with the cooperative agreement, USAID regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. The COP will be the primary representational link with USAID staff.  The COP will work closely with the Mission to provide project updates, discuss strategies, obstacles, performance plans, and indicator success.  The COP will liaise with USAID agreement officers, technical support staff, partner organizations, outside contractors, and implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required. The COP will represent the project to all key stakeholders, government officials and donors at coordination fora and other related seminars and meetings. The COP will ensure that project initiatives address the needs of the beneficiary population in the most cost-effective manner. This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in October 2014.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction, define and implement activities to achieve the greatest impact possible toward project goals and objectives;
• Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key project staff, yearly work and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track;
• Oversee project delivery to ensure activities remain in line with the performance framework  and meet all standard operational policies and procedures;
• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations;
• Work with all key staff to identify technical assistance needs and arrange for the provision of required assistance;
• Oversee the Deputy COP in providing financial and technical management support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor;
• Report to USAID through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;
• Maintain an on-going dialogue with the USAID AOR and respond to the AOR's inquiries; 
• Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions;
• Represent the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned;
• Manage project properties according to the IRC and USAID regulations;
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility;
• Manage and evaluate project staff performance;
• Ensure that project initiatives adequately address the needs of the most vulnerable beneficiary population in the most cost-effective manner;
• Oversee the DCOP as s/he supervises and assists with compliance-related matters, including handling and documenting compliance-related inquiries.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university ;
• At least five years of experience in managing and implementing education programs in developing countries. Experience with projects supporting teacher training, reading, instructional and supplemental material development, or education systems management preferred;
• Demonstrated exemplary diplomatic, management, and interpersonal skills;
• Previous experience as COP of USAID-funded programs preferred;
• Previous experience working with the Ministry of Higher Education and Education in Lebanon preferred;
• Previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations;
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation; 
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written;
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Lebanese nationals are encouraged to apply.