ROLE SUMMARY
Are you passionate about transforming education in fragile contexts and improving the lives of marginalized children and youth? CARE is seeking an experienced and dynamic Chief of Party (COP) to lead the USAID/Somalia Accelerated Education Activity. This program aims to increase access to quality accelerated basic education and non-formal education for out-of-school children and youth across Somalia. As COP, you will have the unique opportunity to drive impactful change, working closely with USAID, the Somali government, and key stakeholders to create a brighter future for Somali children.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The USAID/Somalia Accelerated Education Activity focuses on:
- Equitable Access: Ensuring marginalized Somali children and youth have access to safe, free, and relevant education.
- Improved Learning Outcomes: Enhancing literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning for children and youth.
- Community Engagement: Strengthening local ownership of education and deepening community involvement.
- Government Capacity: Building the capacity of local and federal governments to deliver quality education services.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Chief of Party, you will provide strategic leadership, technical oversight, and operational management for this transformative program.
- Program Leadership: Drive the successful implementation of the USAID/AEA, ensuring timely delivery of quality results that meet the program’s objectives. Lead adaptive program management, design, and implementation based on ongoing learning, studies, and evaluations.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison with USAID, Somali government ministries, local and international partners, civil society, and other stakeholders. Build strong, collaborative relationships that maximize the program’s impact.
- Consortium Management: Lead the consortium of partners, ensuring seamless collaboration, effective decision-making, and efficient operations. Provide oversight for all program staff, including security, HR, logistics, and administration.
- Contract and Compliance Oversight: Ensure strict adherence to CARE and USAID rules and regulations. Oversee financial management, contract compliance, risk mitigation, and reporting. Monitor program expenses and deliverables, ensuring alignment with work plans and budgets.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop and implement a robust AMEL (Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) plan to measure progress, outcomes, and impacts. Coordinate with the MEAL Director and external evaluators for baseline, midline, and final assessments.
- Gender, Inclusion, and Child Protection: Champion gender equality, social inclusion, and child protection throughout the program’s design, implementation, and staff culture. Ensure conflict sensitivity and equity are integrated into all activities.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor’s degree and 15+ years of relevant experience in development/humanitarian leadership roles, or Master’s degree and 10+ years in similar roles.
- Experience: Minimum 5+ years of experience in COP or equivalent roles, with a strong background in foundational education (literacy, numeracy, and SEL), youth development, and gender programming.
- Contextual Knowledge: Proven experience working in Somalia or fragile, conflict-affected environments. Expertise in engaging with host-country governments, private sector partners, and civil society in challenging contexts.
- Project and Financial Management: Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale, complex programs with multiple partners and stakeholders, including USAID. Experience in budget management, financial tracking, procurement, and organizational development.
- Technical Skills: Deep understanding of accelerated education, non-formal education, and youth programming. Familiarity with USAID processes and procedures is essential.
- Languages: Fluency in English is required. Somali language skills are highly preferred.
Why CARE Somalia? This is a unique opportunity to lead a high-impact education initiative in one of the most challenging yet rewarding contexts. You’ll have the chance to work with a team dedicated to improving the futures of Somali children, strengthening communities, and building resilient education systems.
