Honduras: Chief of Party

Organization: Creative Associates International
Country: Honduras
Closing date: 30 Sep 2017

Project Summary

The goal of USAID/Honduras’s proposed Improving Tertiary Violence Prevention activity (ITVP) is to reduce recidivism within targeted populations of the highest-risk juveniles. The development hypothesis for this activity is that if high-quality, tertiary violence prevention services, specialized and targeted by risk levels, are provided to identified juvenile populations at the highest risk, (e.g., those already involved with gangs, crime or the court system), then the repeated criminal and violent offenses by these individuals will be reduced, ultimately contributing to reducing crime and violence in their communities.

USAID understands that a small number of state and non-state actors currently provide a very limited array of services to these populations. However, several fundamental challenges exist which limit the sufficiency, coherence and adequacy of these services to effectively reduce recidivism.

Through this new five-year activity, USAID will seek improved Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) and technical proficiency of state and non-state actors seeking to provide high-quality, specific and targeted services to juvenile tertiary populations. To qualify for support, these actors must be providing (or seeking to provide) services that are explicitly linked to preventing recidivism and likely centered on the themes of rehabilitation, reintegration and the reduction of stigma.

Position Summary

The Chief of Party will be responsible for the technical leadership and in-country management of the project. S/he will oversee the long-term expatriate and local staff and short-term experts in achieving project results. S/he will undertake regular assessments of the broader political environment within which the project operates to ensure flexibility and rapid reprioritization of activities when necessary. The COP must be a highly qualified with substantial, multi-country comparative experience in donor-funded democracy and governance improvement projects. The COP shall serve as the primary point of contact with USAID/Honduras with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the contract. The COP shall reside in Honduras for the life of the project. S/he shall have overall responsibility for ensuring quality control, the appropriateness and overall responsiveness of all assistance provided under the contract, whether by long- or short-term advisors or others.

Primary Responsibilities

Serve as principal liaison with Honduras-based USAID representatives, government counterparts, and non-governmental stakeholders on program communications and technical implementation activities.
Provide technical direction, leadership, and oversight of all administrative matters.
Provide technical support to the team in all program areas.
Develop and implement work plans for project activities.
Oversee implementation of project monitoring and evaluation activities and ensure that project results are met.
Supervise development and submission of project deliverables and provide timely and accurate reporting and briefings to USG/Stakeholders on all program areas.
Oversee implementation of Creative’s security protocols and provide leadership in handling security-related issues.
Manage the program team in a manner that is open and respectful and encourages professional development, and solicits constructive staff input.
Liaise with Headquarters regularly on program and administrative issues.

Desired Skills & Qualifications

A graduate degree from an accredited university in public administration, public policy, a social science, law, or a related field;
Experience in tertiary prevention, juvenile justice, alternative justice, and reinsertion/rehabilitation of populations in conflict with the law, particularly former gang members;
Previous experience implementing international donor activities;
Previous experience developing collaborative working relationships with counterparts, other contractors and international organizations and donors. This also entails monitoring, evaluating and documenting progress toward meeting project objectives; evaluating sub-contractor and grantee activities through consultative meetings, site visits and reporting requirements; working out solutions to keep activities on track; and providing overall guidance and direction to the team to achieve targets and objectives.
Strong knowledge of USAID monitoring and evaluation policies and procedures.
At least 8-10 years of relevant experience working for a USG Contractor or international NGO in governance, citizen security, crime and violence prevention, and/or reinsertion/rehabilitation, 5 of which should be in a supervisory capacity.
Previous experience working in Latin America, with strong analytical capacity and understanding of the local context.
Familiarity and experience working with USAID.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up and close-out.
Experience with activity design, development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience liaising and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
Fluent in English and Spanish (written and spoken).