Location: Washington DC Area ECODIT is an international development firm working with governments, businesses, and local communities to advance environmentally and socially responsible development around the world. We provide technical assistance services ranging from quick-turnaround assessments and evaluations to design and implementation of long-term multi-million-dollar projects. Since its founding in 1993, ECODIT has provided professional services through more than 250 projects/contracts to diverse clients inmore than 60 countries. Building on our track record of success, we have continuously expanded the depth and breadth of our expertise in the water, energy, environment, and governance sectors. Responsibilities: ECODIT is seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated four-year USAID Natural Resources Security (NRS) Activity. The purpose of the Activity is to strengthen natural resource safeguards and security in the countries covered by the USAID Asia Bureau which includes both the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia regions. The Activity has following four objectives:
Objective 1: Increase the sustainable practices, businesses, trade and investment (of natural resources or related to natural resources) Objective 2: Increase partnership engagement and investment into innovative financing to support conservation and increase resilience Objective 3: Strengthen Asia's high mountain water security and management Objective 4: Improve the enabling environment, partnerships and capacity for the effective implementation of laws, policies, regulatory frameworks and standards based on scientific data Furthermore, the Activity focuses on the following four workstreams, which emphasize transboundary actions on emerging issues and opportunities that have not yet been fully mainstreamed into development planning and government-decision making in Asia: (1) Timber Trade; (2) Marine; (3) Water Security; and (4) Nature-Friendly Infrastructure. The COP will ideally be based in the Washington, DC area and will bear primary responsibility for the strategic direction, overall coordination, and management of the Activity, including oversight of financial and contract management. S/he will be responsible for ensuring compliance with USG rules and regulations. The COP will serve as the primary interlocutor with USAID and key stakeholders in the Asia region. S/he will ensure the program meets stated objectives and reporting requirements in a timely manner. The COP will assume the leadership role in coordination among various partners and subcontractors. The COP will also work closely with the ECODIT Home Office Project Manager (HOPM) and other Home Office (HO) support staff and will serve as an important link between USAID and the ECODIT HO. Specifically, the COP will: - Lead the technical and operational aspects of the Activity including planning and implementation, ensuring clarity over plans and priorities, and encouraging effective teamwork and adaptive management.
- Provide technical leadership for designing, implementing, and measuring the impact of contextually relevant solutions to strengthen natural resource safeguards and security in the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia regions.
- Serve as a technical expert and thought leader in one or more areas relevant to the Activity's Statement of Objectives (i.e., biodiversity, forestry, blue carbon finance, water management, nature-friendly infrastructure).
- Serve as ECODIT's primary liaison with USAID.
- Foster and maintain positive working relationships with government counterparts and other stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific and Central Asia regions, and apply a locally led approach to project implementation.
- Ensure compliance with USAID requirements, U.S. Government regulations, and ECODIT policies and procedures.
- Lead preparation of deliverables, including annual work-plans, budgets and project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials in accordance with USAID deadlines.
- Provide overall financial oversight of the budget over the life of the Activity (e.g., budget, ensuring cost effective management, financial projections and systems to ensure proper use of funds).
- Ensure continuous communication with ECODIT's HO and work with the HO to coordinate technical and editorial review of project deliverables prior to submission to USAID.
- Liaise with USG partners, USAID implementing partners, and other donors and implementing agencies as needed to ensure coordination and synergy. Required Qualifications
- A Master's degree, JD, or PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Natural Resources Management, International Relations, Infrastructure, Finance).
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in designing, managing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs related to natural resources management in one or more of the workstream areas identified above, with a focus on Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- Demonstrated professional experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including senior government officials and local actors, as well as donor agencies.
- Experience managing complex contracts with similar size, complexity and scope, including in a COP or Deputy COP role.
- Strong management skills and ability to work with a range of technical staff and develop professional relationships with counterparts, stakeholders, subcontractors, and other donors.
- Demonstrated strong operations, budgetary, compliance, and decision-making skills, and subcontracts and grants skills.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English. Additional/Desired Qualifications
- A strong understanding of USAID's strategies, policies, and priorities for biodiversity conservation and climate change.
- Knowledge of USAID's Environment and Natural Resources Management Framework, and Indo-Pacific Vision, as well as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- Experience living and/or working in Asia and/or the Pacific Islands.
- Experience leading or supporting on-demand projects with a buy-in component.
- Demonstrable experience integrating gender equity and social inclusion into development projects.
- Highly developed interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. ECODIT provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant that requires a reasonable accommodation, please email us at . Please reference the position in your email. ECODIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics. ECODIT is an E-Verify and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. #J-18808-Ljbffr