Chief of Party, Civil Society Resilience

Pact seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Cambodia Civil Society Resilience (CSR) Activity. CSR will seek to support the work of civil society and grassroots organizers, across all sectors, engaged in advancing reform and inclusive development. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity and the position will be based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This position is contingent upon award.

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership and the overall management and operations of the Activity. The COP will supervise high-quality project implementation, with a focus on achieving the project goals and USAID development strategy and objectives. The COP will lead the coordination of all CSR activities across all relevant parties, including USAID, host country counterparts, other institutional donors, local and regional civil society organizations, key stakeholders, and implementing partners. The COP will be responsible for the overall management of the Activity and oversees project staff and sub-partners for results-oriented planning, and coordination of project activities. 

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate:

• Ensure high-quality, results-oriented technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the project’s strategic objectives and approved annual workplans.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) on management and technical matters as well as coordinate with USAID/Cambodia’s Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Office, other USAID implementing partners, and other donors to complement efforts.
• Ensure that the project meets stated goals, outcomes, benchmarks, and reporting requirements and oversee a complexity-aware monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.
• Coordinate among USAID and key stakeholders, including partners, government stakeholders, civil society, and other USAID projects.
• Manage and coordinate the implementation of activities across project partners, ensuring successful integration of activities.
• Liaise closely with the Pact country office team to ensure that all project activities are compliant with US Government rules and regulations, as well as consistent with Pact’s policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Oversee project planning (i.e., development of work plans and project budget), monitoring and reporting (i.e., prepare and submit technical, financial and any additional USAID requested reports) in accordance with the highest standards.
• Oversee project budget and work in close coordination with the Finance/Operations Manager to meet expected results, ensuring cost-effective use of donor and Pact’s resources.
• Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, partner-led, context-driven programmatic approach, including through effective management of the sub-award portfolio.
• Ensure a responsive and innovative approach to developing the capacity of civic actors, youth leaders, civil society organizations, and coalitions.
• Manage a team of flexible and adaptive employees and oversee evidence-based adjustments in programming to achieve greater impact.
• Serve as security focal person and ensure the safety and security of Pact’s staff and its properties at all times.

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in social sciences, law, or development studies; with at least 11 years of experience implementing civil society strengthening activities, with preference given to donor-funded democracy and governance projects.  Six (6) years of management experience is required. 
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in social sciences, law, or development studies; with at least 13 years of experience implementing civil society strengthening activities, with preference given to donor-funded democracy and governance projects may be substituted for a Master’s degree.
• Experience managing USAID contracts/agreements with an applied conflict-sensitive approach.
• In-depth understanding of the role of civil society in development and experience in building capacity for civil society organizations and networks/coalition strengthening, preferably in Cambodia.
• Experience building capacity for civil society organizations and/or media actors in Southeast Asia.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Record of successfully building and effectively managing a diverse team of employees and managing multiple international consortium partners.
• Experiencing managing projects with large sub-award pools.
• Ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media actors, government institutions, private sector entities, practitioners, academics, and US Government agencies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills in problem solving, consensus building, donor coordination and developing functional networks of diverse stakeholders across geographics.
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations, and policies.
• Fluency in English (oral, writing, and reading).
• Ability to occasionally travel internationally.

• Demonstrated experience managing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of Southeast Asia.
• Cambodian nationals are encouraged to apply.
• Fluency in Khmer (oral, writing, and reading)[.