Chemonics seeks a Program Director for the Climate Finance for Development Accelerator (CFDA) project management unit (PMU). This position will join the broader PMU supporting the implementation of CFDA buy-in activities. CFDA is heading into Year 3 and is a global, $250 million USAID activity that mobilizes public and private finance and private sector actions that support the transition to an equitable and resilient net-zero economy. CFDA is managed by a core Washington-based team of senior experts in impact investing, climate finance, resilient economies, grants and subcontractor management, and inclusive development. The PMU Director will backstop buy-ins for the growing Africa and/or LAC portfolio. The Africa portfolio comprises buy-ins in Southern Africa, Senegal, Zambia, and Tanzania. The LAC portfolio includes the Caribbean Climate Investment Program (CCIP), a 4-year, $23.5 million activity that aims to catalyze and increase private sector investments in social and environmentally sound renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects and Natural Climate Solutions across 14 countries in the Caribbean. CCIP provides business development service facilitation and technical assistance to small and medium scale enterprises working with RE/EE technology, as well as provide technical and financial support to businesses, communities, and other entities in developing, scaling, or improving climate-resilient adaptation practices and technology.
This PMU role is an exciting opportunity to provide support on CFDA. We seek candidates with experience on USAID global and buy-in mechanisms, experience managing dynamic staffing and providing budget oversight as well as significant grants and subcontracts management experience.
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as we interview and fill positions on a rolling basis.
Responsibilities:
Project Management
- Leads programmatic design and implementation for one or more programs of corporate priority and/or higher complexity, developing operational guidelines and technical solutions that can be applied across the company.
- In collaboration with the project staff, develops work plans, ensures timely resources to execute the plan, leads and directs progress and reporting of implementation, ensures proper technical direction in fulfilling the project scope of work, and conceptualizes new strategies to improve performance; ensures project activities are aligned with achieving results in MEL plan and QASP (and deliverable schedules if applicable) elevating any deviations for resolution.
- Supervises project financial performance, oversees project closeouts and final reports, and ensures resolution of implementation problems.
- Conducts periodic supervisory visits to assess the status of project activities or to participate in technical or evaluation work in the project office.
Technical
- Applies in-depth technical expertise to projects technical goals and objectives, new business efforts, and Chemonics knowledge base; leads technical assignments.
- Advances body of knowledge and quality standards in primary discipline and practice networks; formulates approaches to guide project work, new business efforts, and technical assignments, and advises clients on technical trends and programming priorities.
- Ensures quality of project reports and deliverables through supporting the chief of party/ project teams to thoughtfully integrate components Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) adhering to program objectives, best practices, and theories of change; ensures project technical objectives are met in partnership with the chief of party and trouble-shoots when deviations are needed.
New Business Development
- Analyzes development funding trends and priorities; formulates strategies, new directions, and techniques to grow the company and improve market share; and networks with clients, consultants, and counterparts regarding new business opportunities.
- Leads proposal development, analyzing and recommending bid decisions, and conceptualizing team, technical approaches, and cost strategies to gain competitive advantage; generally, assumes role of proposal lead, technical writer, or management section writer, providing leadership to proposal teams and mentoring and managing the application of best practices.
- Collaborates with new business by analyzing funding trends/priorities and building strategies.
Management and Leadership
- Supervises, mentors, and evaluates multiple direct reports, communicating clear performance goals and standards, offering regular performance feedback and prompt resolution of problems, and time and opportunity to grow and develop in key competency areas; promotes staff development through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional growth
- Promotes and exemplifies Chemonics values and ethical standards and manages staff to achieve team and development objectives
- Demonstrates inclusive behaviors and leadership consistent with Chemonics values and leadership competencies
- Creates a productive and motivating work environment for staff by promoting cooperation and teamwork across departments, staying abreast of management, leadership, and team-building strategies and advocating for them within Chemonics; promotes the building of a strong partnership between project and corporate offices based on open exchange
- Supervises the chief of party and program managers and provides timely and constructive feedback through frequent as well as quarterly and annual reviews; performs other duties as assigned by the SVP
- Serves in acting SVP capacity, as required
Requirements:
- Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience; Masters degree preferred
- Minimum 8 years of relevant project management
- Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience and leading teams
- Demonstrated experience solving complex technical, managerial, or operational problems and evaluating options based on relevant information, resources, well-rounded experience, and knowledge
- Operates at advanced levels of authority and controls significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for results
- Advanced knowledge and skills within a relevant technical or professional discipline with broad understanding of other areas within the job area
- Fluency in and demonstrated application of financial and project management systems
- Conceptualizes, outlines, performs, and directs the research and writing of technical documents (reports, proposals, professional articles)
- Leads effective meetings and demonstrated presentation skills
- Recognized by others as an experienced international development practitioner in a specific technical area; contributes consistently to mentoring staff
- Demonstrated leadership, management, organizational, and decision-making skills
- Demonstrated experience managing and supervising staff assigned to a department or several project teams and new business efforts; demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity
- Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred
- Willingness to travel and work abroad up to 3 months per year
- Works effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Language proficiency for assigned geographic area preferred
Apply by September 13, 2024. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.
Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Chemonics will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Chemonics, or (c) consistent with Chemonics legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)