Chief of Party, LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education, Washington D.C.

Chief of Party, LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education, Washington, D.C.

 

Position Description

 

About PADF

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region. 

 

Position Overview

PADF seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an upcoming five-year, $25 million USAID LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education project. The COP will oversee the provision of financial and technical support, via a new or existing LAC-focused regional fund or platform, to provide grants and technical support to local entities in select countries for innovative and/or scalable activities that aim to address existing systemic barriers and improve access and foundational learning outcomes specifically for marginalized and vulnerable groups. The COP will be tasked with ensuring the program’s successful implementation, providing project management, operational support, and strong leadership. The COP will be expected to liaise with PADF HQ teams, country offices across LAC, US, regional and national partners, and host country government representatives involved in the project. Note:  Funding for this position is contingent upon USAID award.

This position is based in Washington, DC, with extensive travel to Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management  

• Lead and support a regional team of experts, program managers, advisors, and local staff, contributing to and ensuring a collegial and respectful working and team environment and coordination with PADF Country Directors and PADF technical directors. 
• Support the drafting, review, and presentation of quarterly, annual, and other donor reports in close coordination with HQ.  
• Ensure project compliance with all contractual reporting and financial requirements of USAID, as well as all PADF policies and procedures.  
• Collaborate closely with Country Directors, HQ program teams, and other relevant staff to ensure partner management, sub-grant administration, and reporting are conducted in a cohesive and coordinated manner.  
• Drive coordination and management of project activities.
• Provide input to high-quality written reports in English and Spanish on program activities, capturing results (outcomes and eventual impacts); ensure this reporting is consistent and meets donor guidance on length and format.  
• Oversee administrative, finance, and operations functions, including human resources, accounting and financial reporting, procurement, grants and contracts, and IT.
• Manage risks to project implementation in coordination with Country Directors in project countries. 

Program Implementation 

• Lead work planning, forecasting, and training initiatives.  
• Lead the coordination of program activities according to the approved work plan and in consultation with USAID and key stakeholders. 
• Provide expert-level technical guidance on thematic and contextual issues in the region with special focus on education, as well as strategic guidance to the team for the completion of program activities. 
• Ensure the implementation team’s compliance with USG and local rules and regulations.
• Monitor project progress, supervise data quality, and obtain feedback from participants, partners, and stakeholders.
• Work with HQ and local staff to ensure financial and programmatic reports to USAID effectively account for project progress and use of funds.
• Participate actively in evaluating, providing feedback, and formulating recommendations that result in subgrants and contracts, in collaboration with the project team. 

Liaison and Representation 

• In coordination with the Project, Country, and HQ leadership, liaise with USAID, partner organizations, and local and departmental governments to support and monitor program activities as required. 
• Build and foster a strong working relationship with key internal and external stakeholders within the partner governments at all levels, focused on collaboration toward the program’s objectives.
• Communicate and coordinate with HQ departments, consortium partners, sub-contractors, and other stakeholders as determined.  
• Other duties as required.  

 

Compet