Job Description
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 4,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
The purpose of Comprehensive Climate Change Initiative (CACCI) is to strengthen global food security and climate resilience. The cooperative agreement will provide technical support to countries through a buy-in mechanism to support the development and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This includes support for the monitoring and evaluation of such plans.
As Chief of Party, you will be responsible for leading and managing a number of key operational and technical aspects of the CACCI project. You will work closely with the Abt home office, USAID teams in DC and at local missions, and representatives from other USAID implementing partner operated activities and international donor stakeholders to ensure that USAID’s assistance is country-led and informed by empirical evidence, analysis, and programming to advance countries’ priorities.
This position is contingent upon award to Abt Associates.
Core Responsibilities
- Provide strategic managerial and technical leadership for the program to ensure quality and timely delivery of all aspects of the cooperative agreement.
- Ensure close coordination with and leveraging of other relevant initiatives, including USAID private sector engagement and NAPS and NDC global support mechanisms.
- Provide leadership and technical support for project staff and partners.
- Collaboratively create and implement a strategic, long-term programmatic vision.
- Ensure clear communications with clients and stakeholders about project activities and accomplishments.
- Interact directly and on a regular basis with USAID to coordinate program direction and ensure strategic alignment, collaborative learning, and successful adaptive management.
What We Value
- Bachelor’s Degree + 15 years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + 12 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 10 years of relevant experience.
- 12+ years of professional experience working with issues related to planning, design, and performance management of large international development assistance programs (similar to the scope of the CACCI project), with a preference for USAID-funded buy-in projects.
- Demonstrated progressive experience as a COP, Deputy Chief of Party, Regional Lead, or similar senior management role on a multi-year, multi-country USAID project of similar, scope, and complexity to the CACCI project.
- Experience with policy planning and implementation, capacity strengthening, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience with stakeholder mapping, building dialogue through multi-sector forums, government engagement and buy-in.
- Technical experience in at least one of the following: climate adaptation, agriculture, and food security, and/or climate policy planning and implementation.
- Thorough technical knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning methods, including, but not limited to, data collection and analysis, USAID Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) assessments, and stakeholder capacity building through global, regional, and local knowledge sharing platforms.
- Experience working in Feed the Future countries is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders including USAID DC-based team, senior Mission personnel, embassy officials and other local in-country stakeholders.
- Bachelor’s degree in international development, engineering, environmental policy, climate change adaption, political science, sociology, economics, statistics, business, public administration, organizational development, communications, or related field.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage relationships and motivate staff.
- Ability to multi-task and strong teamwork skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken English required. Professional competency in French is desired
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development.
Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $139,000 to $190,000 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis.
Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
About Us
The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance-as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.
At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.