SFL is currently seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to oversee the anticipated 5-year, USDA-funded McGovern-Dole Food for Education (FFE) and Child Nutrition Program in Guinea-Bissau. This program aims to complement the education and nutrition policies and practices of the Government of Guinea-Bissau by building local capacity in school feeding and advising the Ministry of Public Education in its reformation effort of the education system. The project will reduce hunger and improve literacy and nutrition among primary school students through activities such as school feeding, teacher training, and related education and nutrition support. The project will be designed to align closely with the current objectives of the Government of Guinea-Bissau.

The Chief of Party position requires oversight experience in education and health programs, a strong command of project and administrative management, the demonstrated ability to provide vision, technical leadership, and to effectively network and represent SFL with external governmental stakeholders, private-sector actors, target communities in the regions, and representatives of the U.S. Embassy.

This position will serve as the primary contact to the Headquarters Office. The COP will ensure that operational goals and objectives are achieved and reported through appropriate and professional means while maintaining the safety and integrity of the overall mission. This involves close oversight of project budget and progress, establishing positive working relationships with donors and other stakeholders in each of the target communities, providing oversight and ethical leadership to each project staff member. This position is contingent upon award from USDA. A minimum of 12 months’ commitment to live and work in Guinea-Bissau is required.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Establish and maintain relationships with government entities and officials
• Work and coordinate with regional government officials to ensure collaboration with government activities
• Establish relationships with implementing partners and stakeholders
• Ensure coordinated implementation of project activities, and represent Shelter For Life at key meetings

Program Operations Management 

• Oversee all FFE project activities in Guinea-Bissau
• Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff
• Oversee financial and administrative aspects of the project, including the budget
• Implement enforcement of US Government and SFL’s financial and administrative rules and regulations
• Manage sub-awards with international and local service providers
• Monitor program indicators and analyze project impact and challenges to adaptively manage the project to meet or exceed results
• Manage risks of project implementation and implement risk mitigation measures
• Lead regular work plans and progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans Ensure all deliverables are submitted to USDA are of high quality and on time
• Coordinate and communicate activities with SFL’s Headquarters Office

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, public policy, education, or related field, or professional experience in the same areas (master’s degree or higher preferred)
• 10 years demonstrated experience in food security and nutrition, with a specific focus on school feeding, formal education, literacy training.
• In-depth knowledge of USDA McGovern-Dole Food for Education approaches and regulations;
• Prior experience as Chief of Party, Deputy COP or senior project manager for multi sectoral US Government funded projects, preference will be given to candidates who have work experience with USDA FFE projects.
• Exceptional past performance and ability to interact diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., national, provincial, private sector, and NGOs)
• Demonstrated experience in reporting project progress as it relates to donor guidelines
• Strong leadership and administrative skills, management in a cross-cultural environment
• Experience on education polices, international education, childhood nutrition is preferred
• Comfortable with presentation, and reporting, with communication skills. Prior experience in West Africa is preferable as is fluency in Portuguese.
• Professional proficiency in Portuguese is preferred, and English, oral and written.

• Dynamic leadership skills with ability to maintain a positive work environment with professionalism
• Strong teamwork and listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity
• Ability to research, analyze, coordinate, & plan – both strategically and innovatively
• Ability to quickly assess complex programs and situations and form accurate opinions
• Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions
• Willingness to adopt the use of locally appropriate technologies
• Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations

SFL is interested in applicants whose professional ethics, values and determination to achieve impact are evident and aligned with organizational priorities.

Please send your resume and cover letter to info@shelter.org with the subject line: “Proposed COP – Guinea-Bissau”. Applications must be in English. Please include your name in the title of all attached documents. In your resume, the work experience should be presented chronologically and should contain sufficient details to enable the technical review team to evaluate the qualifications and experience. The CV/resume should include the name, telephone number, and email of at least two references who do not work for the applicant’s current employer.