Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s overall capacity development strategy to strengthen the technical and organizational capacity of local organizations and transition local organizations to direct donor funding.
• Conduct organizational capacity assessments (OCAs) on local funding recipients. Assist local organizations in determining their capacity strengthening needs and designing, implementing, and monitoring capacity strengthening activities. Oversee the management of country-based capacity strengthening teams.
• Support the financial, administrative, human resources, IT, managerial and organizational capacity of the project’s local partners and funding recipients through mentoring and coaching and capacity strengthening.
• Ensure that the project is fully aligned with and contributing to the realization of USAID’s Local Capacity Strengthening Policy.
• Responsible for day-to-day monitoring implementation of capacity development activities by mentoring technical teams, ensuring adherence to targets, timelines, budget management, and achievement of objectives.
• Monitor potential risks and actively engage with the program team on mitigation of risks as they arise.
• Lead/coordinate strategy development, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities concerning capacity development.
• Support the development and realization of local organizations’ resource mobilization and sustainability strategies.
• Track local funding recipient’s progress on capacity strengthening; analyze capacity outcomes to recommend local funding recipients for direct USAID support.
• Support local organizations to comply with USAID rules and regulations and maintain their status in all the required USG systems.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in international development, social sciences, public policy, organization studies, or a degree in a relevant field is required.
• At least 5 years of experience implementing and leading capacity strengthening activities for local organizations and partnership building in an international development or humanitarian context is required.
• At least 5 years of experience managing activities involving grants or subcontracts to partners in low- and middle-income countries. Experience overseeing sub-awardees to achieve project results.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and organization strengthening of local organizations which may include areas such as administrative, logistical and financial management, policy and advocacy, leadership development, strategic planning, and network engagement strengthening.
• Demonstrated experience in needs, organizational capacity, and risk assessments, design of capacity building and training programs, working in teams/groups, presenting training material and/or providing coaching and mentoring.
• Experience successfully preparing organizations to become prime recipients of USG funds.
• Experience working or partnering with local institutions in complex/challenging contexts; experience in rapid response mechanisms or crisis modifiers preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining partnerships between national, sub-national, and local entities including governments, local organizations, and civil society.
• Extensive experience working in West Africa, with specific knowledge of the political, social and economic contexts in either or both Sierra Leone and Togo preferred.
• Strong communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among public and private partners.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID rules and regulations required.
• Professional oral and written proficiency in English and French required.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in Sierra Leone and Togo.