Chief of Party (COP)

The role

We are currently looking for Chief of Party (COP), Read to Learn based in Vientiane Capital

Role Purpose                

Save the Children seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated, follow-on USAID-funded Read to Learn education project in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The forthcoming project is expected to contribute to the Government of Lao PDR Education and Sports Sector Development Plan (ESSDP) 2026-2030, building on the accomplishments from USAID-funded Read to Learn project, and continuing to foster equitable learning outcomes for students in the early grades of primary school.

The COP will provide strategic and operational leadership to develop, implement, monitor, evaluate, and influence improvement of children’s primary school-level foundational skills through instruction, increased supplementary learning materials, facilitation of community engagement activities, and providing teachers with appropriate tools to meet the objectives. The COP will liaise closely with relevant government ministries including the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) at the national, provincial, and district levels, USAID, community leaders, civil society, schools, districts, business partners, and other USG agencies.

This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. This position will be based in Vientiane, Laos.

National candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

KEY AREA OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Provide technical leadership, strategic oversight, and overall management and coordination for this basic education project.
• Ensure the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements, including the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities throughout its life.
• Lead annual work planning process, detailing resource deployment estimates (personnel, equipment, and budget) necessary to achieve proposed milestones and targets.
• Ensure that efficient systems to support all aspects of the program are in place and support the effective use of program resources in compliance with USAID regulations and Save the Children policies.
• Prioritize and strengthen sustainability of the program, including working closely with MoES counterparts   to ensure that sustainability plans are grounded in the realities of the context.
• Ensure sound grant implementation and management by sub-grantees and project staff and the timely submission of all technical and financial deliverables to USAID.
• Fully inform Save the Children’s home and field office on all matters relating to the program and maintain appropriate links with partner organizations.
• Supervise the project office, team, and key personnel.
• Support and empower project staff – particularly the DCOP and other key personnel – to take on additional leadership roles.
• Oversee the hiring process of local personnel and any replacement of key personnel during the project’s life.
• Supervise identification and selection of appropriate short- and long-term technical assistance.
• Represent the project for Save the Children in formal and informal relationships with USAID, the Lao PDR government, and other donors and partners. Serve as principle institutional liaison with all key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in education, project management, international development, or a related field.

Experience and Skills

• 8-10 years’ experience managing and implementing education programs in developing countries and at least five years of experience in senior program management (including direct supervision of professional and support staff).
• Prior experience managing bilateral donors of a similar size and scope ($20M) in the region.
• In-depth knowledge of USAID regulations, policies, and basic education programming standards.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with host country government counterpart.
• Experience working with local governments to support and strengthen systems.
• Experience working towards sustainability of program priorities.
• Demonstrated skills in leadership and supervision, with an ability to develop and work through both government and non-government partners effectively and build cohesiveness.
• Experience recruiting, developing and managing staff, including empowering staff to take on additional responsibilities and grow professionally.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and move forward multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals and teams at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Experience managing programmatic and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with USAID Monitoring and Evaluation requirements and processes, including Collaborating, Learning, Adapting (CLA) practices.
• Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English, and strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Laos.
• Experience with early-grade or family literacy programming, STEM, second language learning, and/or inclusive education.
• Working fluency in Lao language preferred

Contract length: Fixed term

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later.

Apply via this link: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/SAV1002STCF/JobBoard/7d92e82b-af74-464d-859b-c5b8cba6e92e/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=740757b7-d195-4c4f-8855-ff0c81e766d3

Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.