Position:  

Chief of Party I, Guatemala (7.3)
C-Change
Center for Global Health Communication & Marketing

Supervisor:  

Project Director

Project Summary:  

Communication for Change (C-Change) is a social and behavior change communication (SBCC) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health Bureau. C-Change's mandate is to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of communication as an integral part of development efforts across all aspects of health, as well as environmental conservation and civil society strengthening. C-Change works with global, regional, and local partners to use communication to change individual behaviors and social norms, supported by evidence-based strategies, state-of-the-art training and capacity strengthening, and operations and evaluation research. C-Change places special emphasis on building capacity in the South to implement high quality communication activities and on changing social norms through catalyzing "horizontal" communication within communities.

Through bilateral funding from USAID/Guatemala, C-Change will provide SBCC capacity strengthening support to USAID/Guatemala Health and Education Office (HEO) staff, and HEO partners and subgrantees to design, implement, monitor, and redesign SBCC activities within the HEO portfolio.

Position Summary:  

The Chief of Party is AED’s official representative in Guatemala for the SBCC capacity strengthening project; responsible for overseeing all aspects of its technical, financial, and managerial performance. The COP will be AED’s primary liaison with USAID/HEO and all other stakeholders. S/he will lead work plan development and ensure that the program complies with USAID and AED financial and personnel regulations. S/he will provide vision and leadership to the Project technical staff and in-country partners and will regularly report to USAID on technical, administrative, and budgetary issues.

Essential Job Functions:  

Technical Leadership and Oversight:
• Provide technical leadership for the project in SBCC capacity strengthening.
• In collaboration with USAID/HEO and other partners, conduct in-country SBCC capacity assessment to identify program gaps and needs for program refocusing.
• In collaboration with USAID/HEO and other partners, facilitate the development of an overarching SBCC strategy for the HEO portfolio.
• Provide technical leadership for the project in establishing a university accredited program in SBCC
• Provide technical assistance in establishing an SBCC working group.
• Coordinate C-Change activities with those of other local and international organizations working in Guatemala and USAID cooperating agencies (CAs).
• Work closely with project staff on the strategic design, implementation, evaluation, and redesign of SBCC capacity strengthening activities and materials.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and capacity strengthening to project staff as well as partners to ensure strong skills-transfer and facilitate productive working relationships.
• Oversee and ensure the timely delivery of project outputs, including work plans, annual and quarterly technical and financial reports, surveys, and budgets.
• Represent the Project and AED in national and regional meetings with stakeholders, partners, and technical staff.
• Guide the strategic design, implementation, and use of formative, M&E, and other assessment and data collection activities.

Program Management:
• Direct all aspects of program implementation.
• Oversee the development of annual work plans, and budgets.
• Oversee the work of local staff, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Serve as the point person for AED with USAID and AED partners.
• Report regularly to the AED home office project manager on technical and administrative issues.
• Ensure compliance with USAID and AED policies and procedures.
• Troubleshoot to prevent and resolve potential problems.

Financial Management:
• The Chief of Party is responsible for the accurate preparation and timely delivery of financial information.
In particular, the Chief of Party:
• Manages funds through an Imprest account and approves expenditures in accordance with AED and USAID procedures, cost principles, and regulations, following closely and in a timely fashion, the working budget of project funds.
• Conducts all activities within the scope of the project budget.
• Monitors and revises budget pipeline and conducts monthly reviews of imprests to ensure accurate and timely reporting of finance deliverables.
• Assures that cost share is obtained and properly accounted for.

Security-Related Duties:
• Final decisions in all crisis situations.
• Disciplinary or dismissive action when lapses occur in security management.
• Decisions based on his/her assessment of the operational context.
• Ensure the fundamental elements of safety and security management are fulfilled, including a basic level of training for all staff.
• Keeps Headquarters aware of the current security situation, possible scenarios and any anticipated concerns for safety and security.
• Updating regularly and circulating of Safety and Security Contingency Plan (SSCP) and the Security Management Plan (SMP).

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job.

Education:  

Masters in one of the following or related fields: Communications , Health, Health Promotion, International Health and Other Job-related Field required.

Experience:  

11 year(s) of relevant experience required

Specific Knowledge Requirements:
• Minimum of six years managing USAID-funded programs and field offices or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of six years in implementing or managing public health programs.
• Strong background and experience in SBCC programming
• Technical expertise and advanced knowledge in the areas of SBCC and reproductive health, maternal and child health, nutrition, education, and HIV/AIDS.
• Experience in developing and implementing capacity strengthening programs, including advocacy.
• Knowledge of U.S. government regulations (22CFR226, Omb circular A-122), procedures, contracting requirements, and financial management.
• Experience and a high degree of competency using Windows-based computer programs.
• Experience with the financial management of programs and office budgets. Experience with imprest accounts preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with safety and security measures.

Special Requirements:  

This job will require a criminal background check.

Skills:  

• Technical and programming skills in SBCC and experience in two or more of the following areas required: reproductive health, maternal and child health, nutrition, education and HIV/AIDS.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage teams and to catalyze the work of other technical specialists for program planning and implementation.
• Ability to work independently, assess priorities, problem solve, multitask, and manage a variety of activities while collaborating with a broad coalition of partners.
• Strong interpersonal, supervisory, technical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent writing, editorial, interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, including participatory facilitation.
• Fluent in English and Spanish.
• Experience and a high degree of competency using Windows-based computer programs.
• Ability to produce exceptional quality and a strong commitment to work.

Additional Information:  

Equipment To Be Used:
Computers, fax machines, telephones, scanners, and other necessary office equipment

Typical Physical Demands:
Not Applicable

Working Conditions including Travel and Overtime:
Not Applicable

We thank all individuals for their interest in AED, however only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Individuals responding to job postings are considered applicants if you meet the following criteria: (1) have expressed interest through the Internet, email or other related technologies, (2) are considered by the AED for a particular position, (3) possess the basic qualifications for the position and (4) do not at any point remove yourself from consideration.