Chief of Party - USAID Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity

Chief of Party USAID Rwanda Strengthening Equitable Education for the Deaf (SEED) Activity

Reports to: Project Director

Anticipated Start Date: October 2024

Term of Employment: Full-time

Base of Designation: Kigali, Rwanda

Conditional on Funding? Yes

World Learning seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID Rwanda Activity that will seek to improve reading outcomes for learners who are deaf and hard of hearing in pre-primary and lower primary schools. The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and provide administrative oversight of the implementation of all components under this program. They will serve as World Learning's principal liaison to USAID. A strong track record of managing and leading deaf education-focused programs in Rwanda or the region is strongly desired.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall leadership, management, and strategic direction for the program.
• Serve as World Learning's principal liaison to USAID, implementing partners, and key stakeholders from government, civil society, the education sector, and the private sector.
• Determine annual priorities, develop work plans, and ensure the program responds to changing conditions and operating environments, in conjunction with USAID and in coordination with World Learning headquarters (HQ).
• Oversee and monitor the quality of program activities, and ensure reports, work plans, and other program deliverables are timely and in accordance with USAID guidelines.
• Integrate inclusive approaches to program implementation and ensure activities encourage full participation of individuals regardless of their gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
• Oversee program administration, implementation, and fiscal management to ensure financial activity aligns with budget allocations, internal policies, and USAID regulations.
• Develop and maintain partnerships; oversee the coordination of program partners.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor a team of program staff.
• Report regularly to World Learning HQ, providing timely updates of all situational and program developments.
• Represent World Learning at conferences, working groups, and events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Required Experience/Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; Master's degree strongly preferred
• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in the successful implementation of programs focused on literacy, disability inclusion, and primary education system strengthening; experience managing projects with local capacity strengthening preferred
• Minimum five (5) years of senior management experience as COP, Country Director, or other senior positions for donor-funded international development programs
• Experience leading USAID-funded programs in Rwanda or the region strongly preferred
• Rwandan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the location where this position is offered.

Required Skills:

• Strong leadership and teamwork skills, especially when working in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams
• Strong organizational skills, able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Sign language fluency; fluency in Rwandan Sign Language (RSL) highly preferred
• English language fluency, with excellent oral and written communication skills; proficiency in Kinyarwandan preferred

Required Behaviors/Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USAID policies and strategies, such as USAID's Education Policy; Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy; Positive Youth Development Policy; and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Framework
• Familiarity with deaf people and their culture in Rwanda is strongly desired
• Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with government officials, education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders
• Commitment to inclusive development programming that brings to bear the talents of women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ persons
• Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations preferred

Vaccination is strongly recommended for all employees in our U.S. offices except for those receiving medical or religious exemptions. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees and faculty will be recommended to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility