Chief of Party (Costa Rica)

Internews is looking for a Chief of Party to lead an expected regional media assistance project in Central America, responsible for providing the overall strategic direction and managerial and technical leadership to ensure the achievement of project goals. 

This position is responsible for project oversight; provision of technical leadership and strategic programmatic direction; management of project staff; coordination with local partners, donors, and implementing organizations; development and implementation of project work plans; ensuring the quality of project deliverables; and representation of the project to the donor.

The Chief of Parrty will be a key member of the Central America and Mexico team within the Americas PMU and provide critical input into the achievement of overall department goals, including new business plans, proposals, work specifications, budget plans, and input to annual strategic planning processes.

This position will be based remotely in Costa Rica.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Provide the overall strategic direction and managerial and technical leadership to ensure the achievement of project goals, in coordination with the Central America and Mexico Project manager and the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).
• Establish and implement tactical and operational plans for the Project, with attention to the achievement of short- and medium-term operational results.
• Oversee the development of tracking systems to monitor the project’s contracts and funding pools for local partners, including budget/agreement negotiation with partners and development and monitoring of budgets.
• Review and approve programmatic reports to funders and stakeholders; serve as the main project representative to the donor; prepare regular briefings for the donor and other stakeholders as required.
• In coordination with the Project Manager and Regional Director, coordinate project implementation and maintain relationships with relevant private Foundations.
• Provide high-level budget direction for the project in coordination with Regional Accountant, DCOP, and project staff.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Specialist, and project staff on tracking progress toward project deliverables and assessing impact.
• Recommend changes in policy or practice that result in moderate to significant improvements in the performance of Americas programming.
• Liaise closely with Technical Leadership Unit and other departments to achieve operational results and develop a team-wide strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance to the Project Manager and management team regarding new approaches to America’s work.
• Oversee the development of annual work plans and goals; provide leadership to develop and execute plans to meet these goals.
• Communicate with colleagues outside their own department on broader Internews strategies or issues that pertain to the project, including relevant regional, subject matter, organizational, or USG policies, practices, or procedures.
• Working closely with the Project Manager, DCOP, and project staff, lead efforts to comply with financial, reporting, legal, and other requirements and ensure effective performance and management.
• As needed, influence others outside the project on policies, practices, and procedures.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree or equivalent lived/professional experience.
• Minimum 10 years relevant prior work experience, with a strong reputation for developing collaborative working relationships with local counterparts and relevant state actors and agencies, international organizations, and donors.
• Spanish and English fluency (written and spoken).
• Advanced knowledge of the Central American media landscape and information ecosystem, including regulatory environments pertaining to freedoms of information and the press, main challenges and opportunities for media and public access to information, and current efforts and actors supporting independent journalism.
• Demonstrable relationships with journalists and media outlets across Central America and willingness to work with a broad range of media actors in the region
• Prior experience managing projects funded by USG and deep knowledge of USG regulations, including relevant portions fo the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and related policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience operating effectively in a multicultural and remote work environment.
• Demonstrated skills in team building, establishing rapport, and cultivating relationships with individuals at all levels of an organization.
• Technical proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft Office.
• Strong project management skills.
• Prior experience managing and/or mentoring staff.
• Flexibility to adjust working hours as needed to accommodate periodic shifts in workload and colleagues in different time zones

See more here to learn about the role and apply.