Job Description

Job Description—Chief of Party

The  Transforming Higher Education Systems (THES) project  will help the higher education (HE) system in Malawi expand the nation’s pool of skilled and employable workforce to spur economic prosperity and self-reliance and enhance the country’s resilience to shocks. THES is committed to addressing gender, equity, and social inclusion needs for all Malawi youth, and focusing on sustainable, systemic capacity development.

The 5-year, USAID-funded project, implemented by Michigan State University (MSU), is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to lead our Malawi-based project team. The Chief of Party (COP) has ultimate responsibility for local project management and decision making, and serves as the primary liaison with USAID, Government of Malawi counterparts, and in-country project sub-awardees (Malawian Institutions of Higher Education). The COP will emphasize on-going coordination, communication, and management of all partners, including managing the Project Management Unit (PMU) in Lilongwe, Malawi and serving as the lead contact with our project team based in East Lansing, Michigan, USA.

The position will be based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Chief of Party will:

• Provide overall project leadership, management oversight, and technical direction.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel in Malawi, including technical implementation, finance, administration, and training.
• Ensure all project assistance is technically sound and appropriate.
• Lead implementation of the strategic, long-term programmatic vision of the project.
• Oversee project work planning, performance management, and strategic communications, including with USAID, Government of Malawi agencies, and other development partners.
• Design and lead technical activities and deliverables.
• Manage risks of project implementation and implement risk mitigation techniques.

Compensation:

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with education and experience, following guidelines provided by the Transforming Higher Education Systems Project and guidance of the development partner.

Required Qualifications

• Higher education (Masters or Doctorate degree) in Education, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, International Development, or a STEM-related field with at least eight years of relevant experience including at least three years as a COP or senior manager of projects of similar scope and complexity.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving results in workforce development, private sector engagement, and higher education system reform (e.g., improvements in accessibility, quality, research management, school-to-work transition).
• Significant experience in youth development/empowerment.
• Significant experience working in a managerial position on an educational development project, with administrative and/or technical oversight that includes preparation of work plans and budgets.
• Significant experience working with the private sector to improve the quality of higher education instruction and curriculum.
• Strong team building and management skills, and excellent communication skills.

Desired qualifications

• PhD in a field relevant to youth development or empowerment.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations to improve matriculation, retention, and completion of degrees in higher education.
• 10 years experience working in a managerial position on an educational development project.
• Malawi Citizenship or Permanent Resident.

Required application materials:

Please submit the following:

1. a detailed cover letter;
2. a detailed resume or curriculum vita including a summary of relevant experiences and accomplishments;
3. the names and full contact information for three or more references.

Submit application materials to the Michigan State University Careers Website:  https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/513868/specialist-outreachfixed-term.

You can also find search for this posting at https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/listing under  Job Number: 845781 .

If you have questions about this position, please contact [email protected] with the subject line “COP Position.” Note – All applications must be submitted through the Michigan State University Careers website. Applications will NOT be accepted or reviewed via the Gmail address above.

Applications due by Sunday, February 26, 2023  by 17:00 EST.

Transforming Higher Education Systems Project actively encourages applications and/or nomination of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

About the Organization

Michigan State University has been intentionally global for more than 60 years, and is known worldwide as a top research university. It is home to renowned scholars and scientists from around the globe and a vibrant and diverse community of undergraduates and graduate students. MSU leverages international partnerships with scientists and practitioners from academia, the government, private sector, and strategically chosen research and development organizations to create new knowledge and explore innovative and practical solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.