Uganda: Chief of Party, Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity in Uganda - 2015

Organization: Save the Children

Country: Uganda

Closing date: 19 Jan 2015

Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters.

We are currently recruiting for a Chief of Party (COP) on a USAID-funded program focused on improving the reading skills of primary-grade learners in government schools in Uganda through the scale-up of the EGR methodology approved by the MoES. The goal of the $36m, five-year project is to improve literacy by supporting interventions that (1) improve key aspects of reading skills in both English and 3 of the 12 selected local languages in the early primary grades, and (2) improve the year-to-year retention of learners in the primary grades through safe school environments within Uganda.

The COP will be responsible for providing technical leadership and overall management direction for the project. S/he is also responsible for project inputs, program strategy, operations, external representation and coordination with project counterparts, USAID, the Government of Uganda, other donors within the sector and other programs as necessary. The COP is ultimately responsible for compliance with the agreement results and the oversight of project activities which will meet the stated objectives within the targeted districts.

Candidates must possess the following skills in order to be successful in this critical role:

• A Master’s Degree in Education, Administration, Management or related field is required;


• At least 10 years demonstrated technical and management experience in education, with experience in sub-Saharan Africa preferred;


• Technical understanding of primary education issues;


• COP experience in education with an emphasis on girls’ education strongly preferred;


• At least 8 years of demonstrated excellence in senior level management and leadership, including direct supervision of professional and support staff, evaluation of staff performance, and contract/grant management is preferred;


• Experience in institutional capacity building of government counterparts at the national and/or local level is preferred; strong analytical skills related to this technical area a plus;


• Excellent past performance references are required;


• Demonstrated experience managing operations for a multi-million dollar complex, donor-funded project is preferred;


• Ability to identify, address and resolve communication issues within the activity and with external stakeholders and coordinating multiple implementing partners or institutions within Uganda or the region is preferable;


• Demonstrated problem solving skills, a collaborative and flexible manner, creativity and willingness to innovate;


• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with USAID/Uganda, host government partners at the national and district levels, and personnel within the activity is required; strong visionary leadership and demonstrated professional accomplishments;


• Excellent representational and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations;


• Strong working familiarity with USAID regulations, procedures, documentation and policies;


• Fluent oral and strong analytical, written English communications skills is required;


• Significant experience managing and mitigating fraud and corruption issues preferred.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates should apply directly through our website at: www.savethechildren.org under the Careers page. Please select “Search U.S. Jobs” and then choose Location as Uganda to submit your CV. EOE