DRC: Chief of Party

Mar 7, 2021 | Jane Goodall Institute
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The Jane Goodall Institute is currently recruiting for a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated integrated multi-sectoral governance, conservation and development public private partnership project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The anticipated project is expected to implement activities focused on improving governance at local and institutional levels and enhancing biodiversity conservation and human wellbeing outcomes in eastern DRC.


The successful candidate for the Chief of Party role should be a senior-level professional with a proven track record of successfully implementing and managing cooperative agreements/grants in development/landscape/conservation projects in a remote location. The COP will be responsible for oversight of the entire multi-million project, and will be required to work with various stakeholders, including the private sector partner/s, local authorities and beneficiaries, high level government and USAID officials.

About the Jane Goodall Institute


Founded in 1977, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) USA is an international non-governmental organization that continues Dr. Goodall’s pioneering work on chimpanzee ecology and behavior. Its mission is to promote wildlife conservation, in particular chimpanzee sustainability, through research, education, and community conservation. The breadth of JGI’s mission reflects Dr. Goodall’s personal philosophy that the survival of all species, whether chimpanzee or human, depends upon the collaboration of all people. In 2012, JGI formally adopted an ambitious 30-year goal to protect 85% of Africa’s wild chimpanzee populations in their natural habitats. In reaching this goal, JGI will capitalize on its considerable strengths and experience gained from working throughout the chimpanzee range, which includes more than 50 years of chimpanzee behavioral research at the Gombe Stream Research Center; 20 years of developing people-and community-centered conservation strategies; impressive expertise in the use of geospatial technology to innovatively map and monitor human and chimpanzee use of forest resources; and a global environmental and humanitarian youth program—Roots & Shoots.


Under its Africa Programs (AP) Department, JGI USA implements community-based conservation activities in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Our Africa Programs partners include, but are not limited to, Arcus Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, J.P. Fletcher Foundation, USAID, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), and a strong individual donor base.
The Chief of Party's primary responsibilities are to provide overall leadership, management and general technical direction for the anticipated public-private partnership project. The CoP will supervise key project staff and ensure compliance to private partner expectations and requirements, donor rules and regulations, JGI and government policies. Key to providing this leadership of the project is ensuring an integrated vision among different components and actors, and a focus on achieving the results defined in the grant. The COP will act as a strategic liaison among USAID, key stakeholders and implementing project partners. A primary objective of the project will be to develop the capacity local stakeholders, including that of a local non-profit to transition to being capable of being the recipient of donor-funded projects.

Essential Functions:

Providing strategic direction and overall technical vision. (estimated 25% of FTE )

  • Develops strategies and monitors progress in achieving project objectives. Evaluates program effectiveness, through the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation instruments, and determines corrective action needed to enhance program implementation and impactful results.
  • Ensures adequate programmatic reporting to donors by collecting information and preparing detailed work plans, quarterly and annual performance reports, evaluations and other reports as required.

Manage relationships with peer orgs and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (estimated 20% of FTE)

  • Works to build and/or maintain constructive relationships with private sector donor/s, government officials, project partners, environment sector leaders, donors/collaborators, and others as appropriate.
  • In coordination with the Executive Director, organizes and facilitates Stakeholder Review meetings and other ad hoc meetings with stakeholders and partners as necessary.

Manage a 10+ person team and 3-5 direct reports as well as partner staff and consultants (estimated 35% of FTE)

  • Recruit, manage and create concrete benchmarks for providing guidance and evaluating staff.
  • Visits project sites and provides direction and informs the Executive Director of progress, issues, challenges and concerns; makes recommendations; and implements decisions.
  • Maintains regular contact with staff & consultants. Establishes leadership and personal credibility and implements and maintains clearly understood chain of authority and accountability.
  • Conducting staff performance reviews for direct reports, and facilitate other staff evaluation.

Manage Budgets and Financial Reporting 20%

  • Works with the finance team to ensure timely, cost-effective, and procedurally correct procurement and transport of goods and services to meet project objectives.
  • Works closely with the Finance and Administration Director, in closely monitoring project expenditure and cash flow.
  • Ensures accurate and timely technical and financial reports to donor(s) and JGI management.
  • Assists in managing grant/project budget within approved spending levels. Ensures grant/project expenses are reasonable, allocable, prudent, and spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations. Supports auditing procedures as needed.
  • Assists in monitoring grant management, subawards, service agreements or contracts, meeting with NGO subcontractors regularly for updates, planning, and problem-solving.
  • Assists with property and equipment acquisition, disposition, and management in compliance with donor requirements.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

  • A minimum of a Master’s degree in natural resource management, natural or biological sciences, economic growth, international development or other relevant discipline.
  • At least five years of experience in working landscape scale development and conservation projects with integrated conservation and development. Private sector experience and/or familiarity is required.
  • At least ten years of senior level experience in the design, implementation, and management of complex programs.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and experience building and maintaining productive working relationships with donors, national government and local actors, including the demonstrated ability to develop sustainable capacity of local partner organizations.
  • Proven track record of managing and working through U.S. government funded initiatives and related reporting requirements and funding parameters.
  • Exceptional English and French written and oral communication skills;
  • Experience working in the Democratic Republic of Congo or East & Central Africa is preferred.

Working conditions

The position will require most of the work time to be spent in a very isolated rural and undeveloped zone of eastern DRC. Accommodation, travel and living conditions may be difficult and may vary over time. Challenging partners and stakeholders may require flexible and time consuming support, coaching and assistance. At least 50% of the time would be in Walikale and Lubutu.

Physical requirements

Climate and health conditions may pose a challenge and candidates should be prepared for physically demanding conditions.