Chief of Party (COP) at International Youth Foundation

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) who will provide strategic guidance and leadership and overall oversight for an anticipated USAID-funded, five-year, multi-million dollar project that aims to support evidence-based and evidence-producing county-level models that empower youth and connect them directly to social and economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods and well-being. The project will enhance county-level youth-serving systems; form partnerships between US and Kenyan higher education institutions to develop their capacity to generate and use data to expand evidence-based and evidence-producing programs, practices, and policies related to youth; and use county-level models to strengthen systems to better engage youth and connect them to social and economic opportunities.

Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. Hiring for this position will be contingent upon IYF securing funding from USAID for this activity and USAID’s approval of the candidate for this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall strategic management of the project and oversee staff and partners responsible for design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring the project is implemented in accordance with stated program goals and objectives.
• Develop the program’s overarching vision and work-plan in collaboration with USAID, IYF/Baltimore staff, and key stakeholders, including the Government of Kenya at national, provincial and local levels; higher education institutions; and young people.
• Oversee annual implementation planning consistent with program goals and objectives.
• Lead finance, technical, and programmatic staff to ensure fiscal integrity, quality, and timing of deliverables.
• Oversee the development and implementation of capacity building plans and the strengthening and overall management of partners.
• Act as the primary point of contact with USAID; maintain good relationships and be responsive to their priorities and needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with the public sector, private sector, civil society, community-based organizations, local communities, local government, and donors.
• Oversee continuous program learning and ensure integration of monitoring and evaluation data into management decision-making and policy advocacy.
• Oversee the production of effective written reports and oral presentations on the program, including preparing periodic reports, providing updates on challenges facing the program, and articulating the program’s success in meeting deliverables.
• Represent IYF and overall project interests at local, national and regional meetings, workshops and conferences and promote the program at the national level.
• Supervise staff as assigned, including providing regular professional support and coaching to supervisees, assessing their performance and recommending improvements they can make to achieve their annual objectives and the project’s goal in general.
• Perform other duties as requested.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• A graduate degree in a relevant field such as education, international development, and non-profit management.
• Eight years of relevant experience in leading programs focused on research, youth services, workforce development, livelihoods, and/or private sector development, with at least four of those in Kenya or countries similar to Kenya.
• Demonstrated success working at the community level assessing challenges, creating and implementing solutions, and achieving measurable results in development projects.
• Leadership experience designing, implementing, and managing complex youth development programs funded by USAID or other donors.
• Experience cultivating relationships and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders including youth, government ministries and officials, NGOs and donors, evaluators, and community-based institutions, preferably in Kenya.
• Demonstrated experience with facilitative and partnership approaches, to include youth, higher education institutions, government, and the private sector. Significant experience in designing and facilitating interactive meetings and workshops.
• Strong understanding of the Kenyan economic, educational, and youth contexts, with a network of relevant contacts in the country.
• Experience developing and implementing effective capacity building methods.
• Demonstrated ability to find viable solutions to complicated problems in a flexible, time-sensitive and creative manner.
• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Solid “troubleshooting” skills and sound judgment in dealing with partners experiencing implementation challenges.
• Spoken and written fluency in English and Swahili required; fluency in other Kenyan languages a plus.
• Excellent computer skills using MS Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.