World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI/WE) is seeking a Chief of Party for an anticipated three-year, USAID-funded Tisamale Mabukhu “Let us take care of books†Activity in Malawi. The Activity aims to enhance the capacity of school community members and structures to ensure that primary school literacy teaching and learning materials are available in schools and communities and are distributed, cared for, managed, and used appropriately.

The Chief of Party (COP) is responsible for the overall management, leadership, technical and strategic guidance, representation, and support to the activity at the country level. S/He will provide vision to the program and is accountable for Activity quality, compliance with USAID regulations, organizational policies and procedures, and finance and operational management. The COP will be the main liaison and contact with USAID and directly collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MOEST) and other stakeholders to enhance community engagement in Teaching and Learning Material (TLM) utilization and management. S/He is also responsible for overall leadership and supervision of World Education’s in-country staff and consortium partners, stewarding World Education resources, and conducting program wide performance management.

• Provide leadership and technical direction, aligned with program objectives, technical standards, and to achieve the greatest coverage and impact.
• Lead and facilitate effective partnerships with local education institutions, local communities, the private sector, national and international partners, civil society and other education stakeholders working in Malawi;
• Serve as principal point of contact and representative of JSI/WE, USAID, and the Government of Malawi on all pragmatic, administrative, and financial matters related to the program;
• Manage and supervise staff in the identification of program technical assistance needs required to achieve expected outputs of the activity, development of scope of work, recruitment of personnel and consultants, and execution of technical assistance and capacity building of partners and national stakeholders;
• Manage subcontracting partners; ensure coordinated inputs and technical / managerial quality of all partners and employees;
• Manage, supervise, and coordinate all program planning and implementation, including timely deployment of the program team;
• Monitor progress of program activities, report to USAID and partners on progress and program outcomes, ensure program deliverables are met on time;
• Organize and manage internal and external communications and provide information dissemination;
• Supervise program staff to ensure timely product delivery and regular reporting.

• Master’s degree in education, international development, business/supply chain management, social sciences or equivalent required;
• From 7-10 years of consecutive proven work experience in leadership positions in development assistance activities within the education sector, preferably with experience in TLM and/or book supply chain management/capacity building with donor funded programs, including at least 5 years of management experience;
• Demonstrated technical expertise in TLM development, management, and/or book supply chains;
• Evidence of strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, with ability to build positive relationships with key government, private sector, and development partner actors.
• Strategic planning experience and financial management oversight is critical;
• Solid knowledge of the education system in Malawi, particularly issues affecting TLM supply chain management and governance, including familiarity with key national and decentralized education actors;
• Demonstrated familiarity program management and USAID reporting mechanisms;
• Prior experience in managing USAID-funded programs and strong knowledge of USAID’s financial management systems and reporting requirements;
• Ability to manage a consortium with international and national subcontractors;
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of capacity building and professional development in a developing country;
• Effective oral and written communication skills to make formal and informal presentations and compose professional and analytical reports and program documents in English;
• Proficiency in Chichewa is highly desired.