Chief of Party, McGovern-Dole Food for Education Programs (FY26)

OVERVIEWPlease Note: Global Communities is seeking highly qualified Chief of Party candidates for multiple USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition opportunities anticipated early in 2026. These positions will be contingent upon award.Global Communities champions innovative solutions to complex challenges at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion. We ensure our approaches are as dynamic and diverse as the communities we serve. We bring together local ingenuity and global insights to save lives and secure strong futures.Global Communities is seeking Chiefs of Party (COPs) for anticipated five-year, multi-million-dollar USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) projects. The key objective of the McGovern-Dole Program is to reduce hunger and improve literacy and primary education, especially for girls. By providing school meals, teacher training and related support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment and academic performance. At the same time, the program also focuses on improving children’s health and learning capacity before they enter school by offering nutrition programs for pregnant and nursing women, infants and pre-schoolers.The COP will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, financial and operational leadership, and human resources. The COP is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement. The COP provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project. The COP will be responsible for communications with USDA, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with Government entities and other institutions/stakeholders.RESPONSIBILITIES* Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation. * Ensure implementation of technical interventions, resulting in concrete and specific outcomes. * Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of contract deliverables. * Manage team members, including highly specialized technical staff, to deliver against the annual workplan. * Ensure project activities maximize impact and are completed in compliance with Global Communities, USDA rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements. * Lead in adaptive management, achieving peak performance and facilitate innovation. * Wherever possible, identify opportunities to engage partners and create growth, and connect actors to find mutual opportunity and benefit. * Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to USDA, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds. * Meet program targets, as well as fiscal integrity of the use of program funds. * Ensure establishment and maintenance of systems for project operations. * Act as primary point of contact with USDA, Government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders. * Provide inputs and quality control for written reports and oral presentations on the program. * Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate. * Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns. * Foster good working relationships with other agencies working on similar or complimentary projects, maximizing visibility and learning. * Be the principal point of contact with other agencies and individuals working on related projects and activities. * Ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and applied. * Undertakes all other duties and projects as may be assigned from time to time.QUALIFICATIONS* Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties; or, * Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to international development with a minimum of 12 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties. * Five (5) years’ experience as Chief of Party, senior management position, or equivalent, leading implementation of large international donor programs. * Proven experience in a leadership position involving the administration of similarly sized, international donor-supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting is strongly preferred. International NGO or for-profit contractor experience is preferred. * High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders. * Demonstrated knowledge and application of relevant USDA policies and strategies. * Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders. * Knowledge/experience with USDA rules and regulations required. * Demonstrated experience and understanding of relevant local laws, regulations and policies is * Management/supervisory experience is required. * Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired. * Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired. * Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, influencing and marketing skills, presentation skills, and report writing skills. Professional proficiency in additional languages (particularly Spanish and French) is a plus but not required. * A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society. We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented. The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.HOW TO APPLYPlease apply online:https://internationalcareers-globalcommunities.icims.com/jobs/2584/chief-of-party%2c-mcgovern-dole-food-for-education-programs-%28fy26%29/job