The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Business Unit is conducting an internal recruit and external recruit for a Managing Director, Programs (M5) . The MENA RBU portfolio includes current projects in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, West Bank / Gaza, Syria and Libya; new business in Egypt, Yemen, and Morocco; and covers a wide variety of technical sectors including education, economic growth, water and energy, democracy and governance, and peace, stability, and transition. The Managing Director (MD) is responsible for overall technical implementation and management of a portfolio of projects, overseeing multiple program directors and teams and project-office leads (i.e., chiefs of party, country directors, etc.). Expertise and / or implementation expertise in a technical sector in MENA’s existing portfolio and forward market is preferred. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.
Responsibilities : Project Management
- Leads programmatic design and implementation for a portfolio of projects, developing operational guidelines and technical solutions that can be applied across the company
- Serves as the main point of contact in Chemonics home office for the assigned portfolio, including with USAID / Washington and overseas Missions
- Reviews and approves annual workplans in collaboration with the chief of party, ensuring timely resources to execute the plan
- Leads and directs progress and reporting of implementation, ensuring proper technical direction in fulfilling the project scope of work, and conceptualizing new strategies to improve performance; ensures project activities are aligned with achieving results in monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan and quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP), elevating any deviations for resolution
- Supervises project financial performance, oversees project closeouts and final reports, and ensures resolution of implementation problems
- Ensures that positive and productive working relations and regular communication are maintained within the project offices and between the project and Chemonics Washington offices
- Identifies and develops regional strategic alliances and opportunities to scale up and improve efficiencies
- Conducts periodic supervisory visits to assess the status of project activities or to participate in technical or evaluation work in the project office
- Confers regularly with SVP on project direction and strategy and makes decisive and timely decisions that positively impact project outcomes
- Establishes key elements of tactical and operational plans with measurable contribution toward the achievement of results of typically mid-sized to large projects; makes significant decisions on what their team of responsibility focuses on
- Develops new processes, standards, mid-term strategies and operational plans (1 to 3 years) to achieve strategic goals
- In collaboration with chief of party, develops and supervises implementation of strategies to optimize profitability and reduce cost overruns; approves overhead expenses per policy
- Facilitates effective working relationships with clients, counterparts, and stakeholders and continually promotes outstanding client service with corporate office staff and project teams; leads discussions as part of quarterly client consultations; leads response on CPAR in consultation with the chief of party and submits the final version in the system
- Leads planning efforts and directs corporate office and project technical activities for project startup, briefing the project team on the business development proposal and award process, with special emphasis on the technical approach strategy and resulting initial work plan
- Conducts periodic supervisory visits to assess the status of project activities or to participate in technical or evaluation work in the field
Supervises the recruitment of project staff, including developing guidelines consistent with corporate policies, scopes of work, position qualifications, and selection of candidates
Leads negotiation team for amendments and other substantive changes to assigned contracts or agreementsContributes dedicated time to other workstreams and functions to achieve BU goals, including new business, operations, and technical practice contributionsTechnical
Applies in-depth technical expertise to projects’ technical goals and objectives, new business efforts, and Chemonics knowledge base; leads technical assignmentsAdvances 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 prioritiesTakes leadership role in practice network development and professional societies, represents company at technical conferences, and prepares or improves technical and development practitioner publicationsParticipates in activities to build a strong knowledge culture by sharing best practices and important innovations through practice networks and knowledge management systemsEnsures 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 neededServes as one of Chemonics’ leading industry experts within selected practice area; makes visible contributions to the industry, formulates and contributes to thought leadership, creates technical tools, conducts industry trainings, and presents at technical conferencesIn coordination with supervisor, sets billability targets to contribute to a billable project work or technical areaNew 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 opportunitiesLeads 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 practicesServes as a New Business advisor providing strategic guidance on overall RFP responsiveness of proposal developmentCollaborates with new business by analyzing funding trends / priorities and building strategiesTravels periodically to explore new business opportunities, represent Chemonics, or gather information for a technical proposal; interacts with key client and staff to influence new programming decisions; develops and negotiates strategic partnerships with local firmsCultivates partnerships with international firms for the purposes of strategic new business proposal efforts as well as local, in-country partnersServes as a strategic lead on new business efforts across multiple bids to independently track, implement, and perform BU new business efforts, including organizing and leading strategy sessions, strategic recruitment of key personnel, and teaming arrangementsLeads BU capture strategy in a technical area or sector across multiple bidsManagement and Leadership
Promotes and exemplifies Chemonics’ values and ethical standards and manages staff to achieve team and development objectives. Fosters and demonstrates a workplace inclusive of creating opportunity, serving others, building trust, fostering innovation and exceeding expectationsSupervises chiefs of parties for projects within her / his assigned portfolio (this responsibility can be delegated as needed to the project management director)Supervises and mentors project management directors on project and corporate-related responsibilities and activities
Communicates clear performance goals and standards to project management directors, offering regular performance feedback and prompt resolution of problems, and time and opportunity to grow and develop in key competency areas, including new business. As the primary supervisor, completes project management director’s biannual performance assessments with input from others, and recommends merit salary increases, as appropriatePromotes staff development through coaching and facilitating professional growth opportunities for the teams within their portfolioSupervises, mentors, and evaluates multiple direct reports, communicating clear performance goals and standards and offering regular performance feedback and prompt resolution of problems; promotes staff development through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional growthLeads and significantly contributes to corporate initiatives that leverage new revenue streams, realizing efficiencies and cost savingsManages and mitigates corporate risks, including those that required company-wide policy and practice shiftsImplements corporate initiatives to share knowledge and solutions; builds staff and company capacityLeads documentation and open sharing of best practices and important innovations company-wide, including in the project office; delivers effective oral and written presentations that advance development assistance knowledge and understanding; and communicates in a way that persuades and promotes openness and innovationLeverages technical networks to identify and recommend candidates for strategic staff recruitment; manages, mentors, and evaluates manager and associate staff, communicating clear performance goals and standards, offering regular performance feedback, ensuring well-run meetings, and having an open-door policyPromotes and exemplifies Chemonics’ values and ethical standards and manages staff to achieve team and development objectivesCreates 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 ChemonicsDemonstrates inclusive behaviors and leadership consistent with Chemonics’ values and leadership competenciesServes as technical mentor in developing the technical capacity of employeesEnsures chief of party and project adherence with corporate policy implementation, risk management, and change management, as required. Supervises the chief of party and program managers, including providing timely and constructive feedback through frequent as well as quarterly and annual reviewsPerforms other duties as assigned by the SVPServes in the acting SVP capacity, as required; may be delegated specific approvals from the SVPQualifications :
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience; Master’s degree preferredMinimum 12 years of relevant project management and new business experienceMinimum 5 years of experience advising, managing, and supervising teams assigned to a department or several project teamsPrevious long-term project leadership experience managing program activities and leading a teamAdvanced knowledge and skills in the technical disciplines of migration and economic integration in Latin America preferredDemonstrated experience solving complex technical, managerial, or operational problems and evaluating options based on relevant information, resources, well-rounded experience, and knowledgeOperates at advanced levels of authority and controls significant activities, budgets, and resources to produce and take responsibility for resultsAbility to create efficiencies and lead programmatic transformation in large, complex, global public health programsThorough knowledge of company’s main clients and their operations and experience cultivating client and partner relationshipsRequires broad management knowledge to lead project teams in one departmentDemonstrated leadership, versatility and integrityConceptualizes, outlines, performs, and directs the research and writing of technical documents (reports, proposals, professional articles) and new business proposalsLeads effective meetings and demonstrated presentation skillsRecognized by others as an experienced international development practitioner in a specific technical area; contributes consistently to mentoring staffDemonstrated leadership, management, organizational, and decision-making skillsDemonstrated experience managing and supervising staff assigned to a department or several project teams and new business efforts; demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrityPrevious experience working in international development and / or living or conducting work in developing countries requiredWillingness to travel and work abroad up to 3 months per yearWorks effectively both independently and as part of a teamStrong knowledge of Microsoft Office applicationsLanguage proficiency for assigned geographic area preferredApply by January 30th, 2025. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.
