Chief of Party | Astana, Kazakhstan | 2025

Chemonics seeks a Chief of Party for a regional water and environmental protection task order (Water Task Order) under the anticipated $50-99.99 million USAID Central Asia Regional Connectivity Support IDIQ. The Water Task Order of the Regional Connectivity Support IDIQ aims to create a more interconnected Central Asia and improve regional cooperation on transboundary water and environmental resources. The activity will target areas with high potential for conflict over access to shared water resources within Central Asia and work to address emerging environmental challenges in the region. It will strengthen capacity for regional cooperation for managing shared water resources and address environmental challenges to promote economic prosperity and healthy ecosystems in the Region. The size of this Task Order is TBD.

The Chief of Party will be responsible for overall management of the project, setting strategic direction and a long-term vision for project implementation. They will supervise senior staff, serve as the primary point of contact with USAID/Regional Mission for Central Asia (RMCA) and other counterparts, and ensure the project’s compliance with the USAID-approved project workplan and reporting and compliance requirements. Please note that his position is subject to the program award. This position is anticipated to be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Anticipated Responsibilities Include

  • Provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the activity and serve as the primary liaison with USAID on strategic, managerial, and technical matters, including responsibility for making key decisions and solving programmatic problems in a timely manner
  • Build, manage, and maintain effective working relationships with the USAID, CSOs and NGOs, the Governments of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, and other relevant stakeholders
  • Monitor and, where necessary, modify programmatic assistance to achieve results; ensure that relevant, productive, and complementary activities are implemented effectively
  • Ensure the activity meets high standards for performance and integrity that comply with applicable regulations and Chemonics policies
  • Oversee contract management, including personnel; budget; reporting; subcontracts and grants management; monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); and communications, security
  • Supervise senior management, technical and administrative staff, and subcontractors
  • Facilitate close collaboration and teamwork, including mentorship and development of local technical and administrative staff

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in international development, economics, public policy, environmental studies, or other relevant field
  • Senior professional with at least ten years of progressively responsible experience managing relevant donor-funded programs, preferably in Europe or Eurasia
  • Experience working with international development donors with USAID leadership experience preferred
  • Proven experience as Chief of Party or in a leadership position with strong interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • Experience managing a program across several countries preferred
  • Demonstrated experience working in water management, environmental resources policy and management, water governance, and public-private partnership development
  • Demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships with government officials, NGOs/grantees, local media, the private sector, and other donors
  • Strong managerial, administrative, and exceptional oral and written communication skills
  • Ability and experience managing large teams in culturally diverse settings
  • Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
  • Fluency in English is required; Russian fluency preferred

Application Instructions: Please submit your application in an email to CARegionalConnectivityRecruit@chemonics.com, attaching your CV. Cover letter attachment is optional. Applications must be submitted by close of business Eastern Time (ET) on January 21, 2024. Please submit one application per candidate. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.