Full Job Description
Opportunity International is seeking qualified Chief of Party
candidates for a USAID-funded Activity, Advancing Partnerships
for Improved Learning (APIL) in northern Ghana. The Activity pilots
best practices for strengthening low-fee private schools (LFPS) in
northern Ghana to improve learning outcomes, business practices and
sustainability.
The COP will be responsible for supervising
the implementation of the Work Plan, providing quality control of
products prepared by the project team and any sub awardees and
providing expert guidance to USAID. The Chief of Party will have
significant leadership, management and development experience; a
demonstrated track record in successfully managing government
relations; demonstrated experience in private sector and market-based
approaches to development; and experience in the education sector.
This position is based in Tamale, Ghana and is available
immediately.
RESPONSIBILITIES include the
following. Other duties may be assigned.
Provide overall
technical and administrative leadership of the Activity.
Serves as the primary liaison with USAID/Ghana, the Government of
Ghana and private sector education programming stakeholders.
Ensure quality control over programmatic functions, including
development of work plans, budgets, quarterly/annual reports, and
ensuring effective implementation of program strategy as articulated
in the workplan. Provide technical direction and oversight
in the design, implementation, and monitoring of high-quality work
plans and budgets. Oversee all project operations, staff,
and sub awardees to ensure activities are on track, and are delivered
on schedule and on budget. Ensure adherence to USAID,
project, corporate and Ghanaian policies and procedures governing all
technical work— including cost, schedule, procurement and quality
parameters. Work with the award’s agreement officer’s
representative to address challenges and opportunities to maximize
impact and scale, minimize costs, and maximize efficiency and
sustainability to achieve targeted results. Demonstrate
diplomacy and leadership to foster an atmosphere of teamwork,
productivity, creativity, fairness, and innovation. Other
related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of a master’s degree in education, finance, international
development, or another relevant discipline At least
10-years of experience overseeing education, finance, private sector
development or related activities in challenging environments,
preferably in Ghana or in the region. Cultural sensitivity
and experience working in multicultural environments. At
least 5 years of experience in a senior-level leadership position
(i.e., Chief of Party, Country Director) on programs that involved
direction over USAID-funded activities High level of
interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a
demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a
broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key
stakeholders Demonstrated ability to organize and
effectively and efficiently navigate the rules and regulations of US
Government awards. Knowledge of USAID’s legal and policy
restrictions, and compliance requirements including procurement.
Familiarity with USAID’s reporting requirements and
experience with developing quarterly/annual reports. Experience
recruiting and managing consultants and overseeing quality control
Ability to build and motivate diverse teams with proven
leadership, interpersonal, and intercultural skills Written
and oral fluency in English Strong analytical and computer
skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and web-based research)
Responsiveness to communications Decisive and comfortable
making executive decisions An understanding of and a
commitment to advancing the mission, vision and values of Opportunity
International ABOUT OPPORTUNITY
Opportunity International is a global non-profit that has been
empowering people to work their way out of poverty since 1971.
Opportunity provides 18.7 million people with innovative financial
resources, training, and support to grow their small businesses and
send their children to school. In 2022, Opportunity International and
its partners helped fund 5,600 schools that reached 1.6 million
children, and they released more than $2.6 billion in capital across
30 countries. Discover more at or join the conversation on , , , and
ABOUT EDUFINANCE
Opportunity EduFinance is
a nimble, fast-moving, and rapidly expanding core function of
Opportunity International’s global footprint. EduFinance aims to get
more children into better quality schools. It does this by increasing
access to capital for affordable private schools and parents, and by
boosting the capacity of school leaders and teachers in low- and
middle-income countries (LMIC). It does this in over 25 countries and
is growing rapidly.