Chief of Party - USAID Program Cycle Support Network

Bixal seeks a Chief of Party to lead the upcoming USAID/PLR Program Cycle Support Network Contract, a project that will strengthen Program Cycle practices, including integrating Agency priorities via continuous Learning. Supporting the USAID Bureau for Planning, Learning, and Resource Management, Missions, and USAID/Washington Bureaus and Independent offices, the contract will apply PC good practices, generate and share evidence related to PC, support learning across networks of stakeholders, and enable PLR to lead on key initiatives. The COP will lead full implementation of the contract, providing guidance, leadership, and oversight to a team of professionals based in the Washington DC area. The COP will represent Bixal and the activity to USAID/PLR, having authority for all technical, contractual, and administrative matters. They will communicate with USAID regularly and have technical oversight on all deliverables. The COP will oversee the budget, manage personnel, and apply creative, innovative solutions to technical work. The ideal candidate is a solution-oriented, engaged, resourceful professional with USAID experience in CLA, KM, systems thinking and organizational development/learning. Important noteThis is a full-time proposal position contingent on contract award.

Responsibilities

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TECHNICAL
• Provide overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the project, overseeing team performance in pursuit of project goals across four categories of activities:
• Support PLR, Missions, and other USAID operating units to apply PC good practices through capacity building and technical assistance.
• Generate and share evidence, good practices and lessons learned relaed to PC implementation for continuous learning.
• Support peer-to-peer learning across networks of stakeholders that share responsibility for instituting PC practices and Agency priorities.
• Enable PLR to effectively lead on key initiatives by providing backbone support to working groups, secretariats, and other multi-stakeholder structures.    
• Oversee and monitor quality of all project activities and ensure timely, high-quality delivery of all deliverables to USAID, assuming ultimate accountability for the quality of work and client satisfaction for Bixal tasks under this contract. 
• Serve as a thought leader and high-level representative for Bixal to USAID, developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders from USAID and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the development of program strategies, workplans, reports, and other deliverables, working in conjunction with USAID staff and Bixal team members.  
• Work with teams to strategically deploy staff and consultants.   
• Manage project partners and subcontractors, ensuring effective communication with consortium partners, identifying and resolving potential partnership issues that may arise, and ensuring cohesion throughout project implementation.   
• Ensure project responds to changing conditions and operating environments.   
• Assist with troubleshooting and problem solving when the need arises including delivering services to the client when required.  

MANAGEMENT
• Oversee project administration, implementation, and financial management to ensure project implementation aligns with budget projections, internal policies, and USAID regulations.  
• Ensure effective cost-management, accurate financial reporting, and proper use of funds. 
• Mentor and support the professional development of all staff and consultants, including identification or development of internal learning opportunities.   
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Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.   
• Experience leading a project of similar size and scope.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in organizational learning, facilitation, and training experience working on complex international development programs
• Full familiarity with USAID’s Program Cycle.
• At least ten years of experience with USAID, preferably within Washington-based bureaus and offices.
• Experience in facilitating learning events, including pause-and-reflect meetings, after-action reviews, workshops, and retreats. 
• Demonstrated experience in both strategic planning and adaptive management, including the USAID principles of collaboration, learning, and adapting.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to establish strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders. 
• Strong familiarity in web-based technology, social media, and digital strategy.   
• Ability to work as part of a cross-cultural team with high sensitivity and cultural competence.