Chief of Party - WASH, Ghana

Job Title: Chief of Party - WASH, Ghana

Requisition Number: I1985

Area of Interest: Other

Position Type: Full Time

Dept/Location:                     Accra, Ghana

Reports To:                          Country Representative

Anticipated Start Date:       January 1, 2015

Closing date:                          September 30, 2014 

This position is contingent upon CRS being awarded the contract.

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Overview: 

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for a recently released a 5-year Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) approximately $18million program from the US Government’s Agency for International Development (USAID). The COP will lead the in-country management and implementation components of a program aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services to target populations.

The purpose of the USAID/WASH for Health Project (W4H) is to accelerate sustainable improvement in water and sanitation access and improve hygiene behaviors in target districts. The project will include 6 main components:

Component 1: Increase use of improved household sanitation

Component 2: Improve community water supply services

Component 3: Improve sector governance and policies

Component 4: Expand key hygiene behaviors

Component 5: Leverage public/private partnerships to magnify the impact of USG investments

Component 6: Improve water supply and sanitation infrastructure for health facilities

W4H is one of six health projects designed to work together under USAID/Ghana’s Health System Strengthening (HSS) Project to achieve equitable improvement in health in Ghana. USAID/WASH for Health supports achievement of Development Objective-3 (DO-3) of USAID/Ghana’s Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). USAID/W4H will support DO-3 by increasing improved drinking water access in underserved areas, increasing use of improved sanitation, promoting good hand washing behavior, and ensuring point-of-use water treatments.

The COP will oversee the day-to-day operations for the project in Ghana. S/he will ensure the timely planning and implementation of activities, provide technical WASH and strategic guidance to CRS and partner staff, monitor budget expenditures and reporting, and deliver high quality monitoring, evaluation and learning performance to achieve the project’s objectives. The COP will establish and reinforce key relationships with USAID representatives, government entities, and other sector stakeholders. The COP will report to the Ghana Head of Programs to harmonize interventions within the agency’s broader project portfolio.

The successful candidate will be a strong decision-maker, an adept manager who is deliverable-oriented, a technical expert in one or more WASH areas, and have the capacity to manage a large team of direct reports in Ghana, as well as to coordinate multiple partner organizations.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project.

Specific Responsibilities:

I. Program Management:  

·         Ensure that the program delivers quality technical programming, according to national and international standards and in coordination with other national health and WASH programs.

·         Lead the in-country W4H management team in achieving program targets.

·         Oversee and support in-country partners’ performance based on sub-contract deliverables.

·         Assure that monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes are standardized throughout consortium partners to successfully manage knowledge on the project.

·         Ensure regular monitoring of activities and submit timely feedback to USAID and partners.

·         Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as gender equity and sustainability are fully integrated into programming.

·         Provide timely preparation and submission of high quality reports.

·         Work with in-country staff and regional WASH teams to ensure clear, strategic direction in technical areas.

II. Finance and Administration:

·         Provide strong budget management and oversight to quickly identify problems and take corrective action.

·         Ensure program compliance with CRS policies and procedures and USAID regulations.

·         Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and the status of activities. Review actual financial performance against the budget, USAID contract, and partner sub-contracts.

·         Ensure strong communication and coordination with the Government and other WASH agencies throughout program areas.

·         Work in coordination with the CRS HoP, CRS Finance department and Management Quality teams to ensure good stewardship of resources and appropriate budget management.

III. Representation and Advocacy:

·         Act as primary in-country project contact to USAID and other local and international stakeholders.

·         Ensure the consortium’s presence and active participation in coordination meetings in the WASH and health sectors.

·         Facilitate and document lessons learned and best practices within the consortium to realize improved WASH outcomes.

·         Organize learning and sharing opportunities between program and external stakeholders on a regular basis.

·         Oversee program communication strategies, including compliance with USAID's branding and marketing requirements as well as CRS’ marketing and communication procedures.  

IV. Human Resource Management:

·         Oversee the hiring, orientation, and training of key staff to build a technically strong, well supported, motivated team.

·         Provide direction and technical advice through quarterly coaching sessions and daily support.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.        

·         Serves with Integrity·        

·         Models Stewardship·        

·         Cultivates Constructive Relationships·        

·         Promotes Learning   

Supervisory Responsibilities: Both CRS and consortium staff members at the country level.  

Key Relationships:
Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Health Program Manager, consortium staff
External: Consortium agencies, local USAID Mission and WASH teams, consortium staff, other stakeholders

Qualifications:

·         Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental studies, international development, engineering, and/or public health.

·         At least 10 years of high level management experience in the development sector, preferably in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

·         Minimum 5 years of experience managing and/or implementing programs in Africa, with experience in Ghana a plus

·         Technical proficiency in sanitation, CLTS, water supply, and/or hygiene program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

·         Demonstrated knowledge of current WASH situation, strategies, and key relationships in Ghana.

·         Proven success managing multi-million dollar development budgets.

·         Prior COP experience a plus.

·         Thorough understanding of USAID rules and regulations strongly desired

·         Proven strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation skills.

·         Demonstrated experience leading coalitions, coordinating with and advocating among a broad set of diverse stakeholders including communities, local and national governments, donors, INGOs, and other local partners.

·         Proven ability to provide representation at high profile donor and governmental meeting

·         Fluency in written and spoken English required

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with this position.

EOE/M/F/D/V

For fastest consideration, please create an online profile to apply.