About the job

Social Solutions International Inc. is seeking a Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID funded project in Tanzania, USAID/Tanzania Heshimu Bahari focusing on marine biodiversity conservation. The project will provide technical, material, and grant management services that support and strengthen capacity for marine biodiversity conservation to i) build the capacity of public sector and civil society; ii) increase private sector engagement in marine conservation and coastal natural resources management; iii) improve the enabling environment for marine protected areas and Fisheries management at all levels; iv) enhance data availability and use in decision making to implement proven marine biodiversity threat reduction approaches in Tanzania.

The Chief of Party (COP) will oversee the complete supervision of the project which includes all planning and implementation. The COP shall provide strategic leadership and bear primary responsibility for all administrative requirements of the contract, ensuring that the quarterly key performance indicators, objectives, and deliverables for the Tanzania Heshimu Bahari program are met. They will be responsible for ensuring the program follows USAID regulations. This full-time position will be based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and is contingent on award of funding from USAID.

Responsibilities

• Provides comprehensive leadership and technical direction for the project
• Develop and communicate (verbally and in writing) the objective and strategic vision for the program to staff, USAID, and all counterparts and stakeholders
• Ensure that work plans are developed and implemented, providing technical direction to staff, downstream partners and grantees
• Ensure USAID compliance, as well as Social Solutions internal policies
• Oversee and contract performance in compliance with contract provisions and manage contract finances (budget and fund allocations)
• Supervise personnel management of key operational and technical departments of the program, including across multiple offices
• Monitor and, where necessary, modify programmatic assistance to achieve results; ensure that relevant, productive, and complementary activities are implemented effectively

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in biology, marine biodiversity, ecology, fisheries or a related field is preferred
• A minimum of 10 years of experience managing marine biodiversity projects, natural resource management projects, and/or conservation projects with technical expertise in one or more sub-sectors of project focus
• Demonstrable experience of program management and leading and professionally developing diverse teams
• Experience working with third party monitoring platforms and/or support mechanism
• Demonstrated ability to establish relationships of trust with clients, including those at the level of a USAID Mission Director, and effective interpersonal skills, proactiveness, creative problem-solving and ethical management
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple components simultaneously, multifunctional teams, international personnel, host country government relations, and client satisfaction
• Knowledge of USAID project cycle, agency policies, regulations, and monitoring and evaluation and reporting requirements
• Advanced communication, writing, and interpersonal skills
• Financial management skills, including budgeting and budget management
• Previous experience working in Africa, with particular knowledge and experience working in Tanzania preferred
• Experience managing complex contracts and agreements, USAID operating procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements is required. Prior COP experience of a large, complex project is preferred.
• Applicants local to Tanzania are encouraged to apply