Chief of Party, USAID/Ecuador Climate Change Mitigation and Land Use Project – Quito, Ecuador

Position Description 

About PADF

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Position Overview

PADF seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an upcoming five-year, $10-$25 million USAID/Ecuador Climate Change Mitigation and Land Use project. The COP will oversee overall program management and administration, provide oversight of financial and technical operations, and manage programmatic relationships. Through this role, the COP will lead the effort to mitigate climate change, reduce GHG emissions, and strengthen sustainable land use activities across Ecuadorian climactic regions. The COP will be tasked with ensuring the program’s successful implementation, providing project management, operational support, and strong leadership. The COP will be expected to liaise with PADF HQ and country teams, US and national partners, and Ecuadorian government representatives involved in the project. The COP will be expected to oversee community engagement, private sector engagement, environmental management, and local networking.

Note:  Funding for this position is contingent upon USAID award.

The COP for this project should possess the following qualifications:

• Extensive Experience: Proven track record in managing large-scale, multi-country programs focused on climate change mitigation, sustainable land use, and community development.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of GHG emissions reduction, regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and watershed management.
• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership and management capabilities, including experience in overseeing diverse teams and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to engage with and support marginalized communities, ensuring culturally sensitive and inclusive approaches.
• Financial Acumen: Experience in managing substantial budgets and ensuring compliance with donor requirements, including USAID-funded programs.

This position is based in Quito, Ecuador, with travel to PADF headquarters in Washington, DC.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Management

• Lead and support a team of experts, program managers, advisors, and local staff, contributing to and ensuring a collegial and respectful working and team environment and coordination with the PADF Country Director and PADF technical directors.
• Support the drafting, review, and presentation of quarterly, annual, and other donor reports in close coordination with HQ.
• Ensure project compliance with all contractual reporting and financial requirements of USAID, as well as all PADF policies and procedures.
• Collaborate closely with the Country Director, HQ program teams, and other relevant staff to ensure partner management, program administration, and reporting are conducted in a cohesive and coordinated manner.
• Drive coordination and management of project activities.
• Provide input to high-quality written reports in English and Spanish on program activities, capturing results (outcomes and eventual impacts); ensure this reporting is consistent and meets donor guidance on length and format.
• Oversee administrative, finance, and operations functions, including human resources, accounting and financial reporting, procurement, grants and contracts, and IT.
• Manage risks to project implementation in coordination with the Country Director and HQ team.

Program Implementation

• Lead work planning, forecasting, and training initiatives.
• Lead the coordination of program activities according to the approved work plan and in consultation with USAID and key stakeholders.
• Provide expert-level technical guidance on thematic and contextual issues in the region with special focus on climate change, land use, GHG emissions, agroforestry, and environmental concerns, as well as strategic guidance to the team for the completion of program activities.
• Ensure the implementation team’s compliance with USG and local rules and regulations.
• Monitor project progress, supervise data quality, and obtain feedback from participants, partners, and stakeholders.
• Work with HQ and local staff to ensure financial and programmatic reports to USAID effectively account for project progress and use of funds.
• Participate actively in evaluating, providing feedback, and formulating recommendations that result in subgrants and contracts, in collaboration with the project team.

Liaison and Representation

• In coordination with the Project, Country, and HQ leadership, liaise with USAID, partner organizations, and local and departmental governments to support and monitor program activities as required.
• Build and foster a strong working relationship with key internal and external stakeholders within the partner governments at all levels, focused on collaboration toward the program’s objectives.
• Communicate and coordinate with HQ departments, consortium partners, sub-contractors, and other stakeholders as determined.
• Other duties as required.

 Competencies

• Leadership – Provides strategic direction that strengthens team roles, risk-taking, motivation, delivering on results, and fosters mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and a positive work environment.
• Problem Resolution – Identifies needs, develops solutions with stakeholders and sees them through completion.
• Team Building – Ability to manage and influence, empower individuals and groups to strengthen internal capacities; ability to coordinate and collaborate with internal PADF stakeholders and the headquarters support departments.
• Communications – Ability to communicate effectively with program/technical staff maximizing the positive impact and fostering mutual respect, constructive dialogue, and a positive work environment; ability to communicate effectively in professional events, with media, and other public venues.

Personal Characteristics

• Results Oriented – Motivated to achieve and bring tasks to completion. Great at follow up and follow through. Demonstrates a drive and willingness to work hard, with teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
• Interpersonal Interaction – Ability to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
• Demonstrated flexibility – Ability to innovate within the framework of donor compliance requirements and adapt under unforeseen circumstances.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s level or higher) in environmental sciences, economics, agroforestry/land use, finance, operational management, international relations, or other related fields.
• Minimum of ten (10) years in similar positions of increasing responsibility in non-profit or for-profit international development organizations. Prior senior-level experience with USG-funded programs in Latin America required.
• In-depth knowledge and expertise in program administration, organizational management, environmental management, climate change, land use, agroforestry, private sector development, or similar.
• Prior management of environmental/climate related projects, civil society strengthening, and public-sector engagement, implemented with or through NGOs, community groups, municipalities, state and national-level government agencies, and private sector groups.
• Experience leading participatory planning processes of large and complex development programs.
• Implementation at a senior level of large USAID, State Department, and other high-profile international programs demanding attention to operational details and relations between donors, host governments, and local institutions.
• Track record of successful cooperation with host country governments and USG missions.
• Experience working effectively with and building consensus among diverse actors, including local government structures in Latin America, senior government officials, civil society actors, and donors.
• Capacity and experience to provide strategic input for activities at both the national and international level, and support networking and alliances with other organizations that support project and local counterpart objectives.
• Written and oral fluency in Spanish and English is required.

More About PADF  

PADF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1962. www.padf.org

PADF’s core values. “H-E-A-R-T” = Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Diversity. PADF is strong because we are diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives on the world.

PADF is committed to safeguarding employees and those we serve, addressing inappropriate behavior, discrimination, and harassment. We take an intersectional approach, promote gender equality, and follow our Global Code of Conduct emphasizing our H.E.A.R.T. values. The code covers various aspects, including anti-trafficking, PSEAH (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), whistleblowing, and online safety.  

PADF is an Equal Opportunity Employer