Chemonics recruits 01 Strategic Activity Development and Implementation Advisor

Strategic activity development and implementation advisor I Burkina Faso I 2020

Chemonics seeks a short-term Francophone strategic activity development and implementation advisor for the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) Burkina Faso Regional Program. A task order under the SWIFT IV IQC, the OTI/Burkina Faso Regional Program is a quick-response mechanism to support activities that maintain and deepen stability in Burkina Faso, neighboring countries, and the broader Sahel region, including by addressing the threat posed by violent extremist organizations. The program will implement quick-response activities aimed at maintaining and deepening stability in Burkina Faso, neighboring countries, and the broader Sahel region. This will include addressing the threat posed by violent extremist organizations. The anticipated duration of the position, is two to three months. The advisor will be based in Ouagadougou, with travel anticipated to the regional offices in Dori, Fada N’gourma, and Ouahigouya as the security context allows. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

The ideal candidate will possess the capability to:

 Maintain close, daily collaboration with USAID/OTI in-country staff, including taking programmatic and strategic direction from the client

Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with regulations and procedures and the specifications determined in the scope of work

Maintain a good grasp of the technical and regulatory compliance aspects of the program and be prepared to step in as needed to support the chief of party and other program staff

Remain apprised of the evolution of the local political, legal, and economic situation and on how to continuously adapt the program to fit this context.

Responsibilities include:

Provide targeted mentoring and coaching to regional program managers with a focus on remote management techniques and best practices and planning along the activity cycle

Utilize best practices/lessons learned for optimal remote management of activities, including early detection of issues and troubleshooting and monitoring of activity implementation in security-challenged areas

Troubleshoot issues in a timely manner and report any identified issues about implementation challenges and solutions to project leadership

Review and provide quality control on date extension and/or budget modification notifications and approval requests submitted to OTI

Provide oversight and spot checks for programmatic staff to ensure they are effectively implementing administrative and financial procedures compliant with contractor and USAID policies

Suggest/develop/provide (through observation and engaging input from regional program managers, the monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialist, and other staff as appropriate) additional training for Grants Management Unit staff as needed

Provide support to regional program managers, program development officers, grants specialists, and other staff as appropriate to develop and provide additional training for grantees as needed

Identify new ways of achieving project efficiencies with regards to senior/middle staff management and implementation along the activity cycle

Qualifications:

Strong experience with USAID/OTI concept and activity design and the development, management, and implementation of activities at all phases of the OTI grants cycle, preferably including both community-level and national-level activities

Proven experience serving in a long-term capacity as deputy chief of party or chief of party on an OTI program

Demonstrated strong managerial, mentorship, and supervisory skills, preferably with culturally and geographically diverse staff

Experience working in Burkina Faso or other Sahel countries undergoing transition highly desired, but not required, and ability to cope with and function effectively in high stress and fluid environments

Experience working in developing countries required, preferably complex, high-speed, dynamic, and challenging field operations

Financial management experience, including budgeting, financial management, tracking, reporting and accounting, and procurement

Demonstrated ability to strategically analyze national, regional, and local politics and guide program staff in creatively designing grants that relate to the current political environment

Thorough experience and understanding of administering grants and small grants programs, and the ability to ensure activities are appropriately implemented, monitored, evaluated, and closed out as required

Proven problem solver with demonstrated experience identifying creative solutions to advance program and activity objectives

Experience with remote management in transition environments highly desired, but not required

Experience working on infrastructure and rehabilitation subcontracts or complex procurement processes desired

Fluency in writing and speaking English and French required

Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity

Application Instructions:

Please send an email with your CV and cover letter attached with “SADI Advisor” in the subject line to bfrprecruit@chemonics.onmicrosoft.com no later than February 22, 2020. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.