GOPA Group US seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated $25-50 million USAID-funded Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA). This is anticipated to be a full-time position based in Amman, Jordan. The focus of AURA is to improve local governance and the enabling environment for urban climate resilience and decarbonization in the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), focusing on interventions with high adaption benefits. This project aims to improve data driven policy making, planning, and budgeting and may also include interventions focused on disaster risk reduction, investment and access to climate funds, enhanced participation of local communities and the private sector, and targeted urban resilience infrastructure work. The COP will serve as the primary point of contact with USAID in Jordan regarding day-to-day implementation and Activity management. The COP will oversee project implementation, setting strategic direction, adhering to the program’s outcomes and long-term vision with support from a diverse team of technical experts and “doers.” The COP’s primary responsibilities are aimed at providing overall leadership and to facilitate management and general technical direction of the entire project. The COP must ensure an integrated vision across multiple mutually supporting components and stakeholders, and a focus on achieving results defined in the award. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience leading USAID projects that involve multiple sectors focused on urban resilience, collaborating with local and national authorities and other public and private stakeholders in the GAM itself or in urban areas facing similar development and climate challenges, and focusing on data-driven interventions and outcomes. Appointment to the position is contingent on GOPA Group US’s award of the Amman Urban Resilience Activity and on USAID approval of key personnel.
Responsibilities may include:
Direct implementation of the Activity’s strategic long-term vision;
Oversee overall implementation of activities in order to ensure positive and sustainable impact;
Own ultimate responsibility for personnel and efficient budgeting and financial management;
Develop and support strategic objectives and confirm project compliance with USAID regulations;
Oversee the project team, ensuring all staff and implementing partners are working in tandem to achieve targets and meet all reporting requirements;
Build, manage, and maintain effective working relations with the donor, GAM, the Jordanian government, local partners, relevant NGOs, CSOs, and other program stakeholders;
Ensure coordination and collaboration with other USAID and donor funded projects in the sector;
Ensure inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable populations as well as other cross cutting elements are considered throughout the life of project and across all relevant interventions;
Serve as the primary liaison between USAID, key stakeholders, implementing partners, and GOPA Group US on all program-related matters, providing regular updates on activity progress, challenges, and opportunities;
Ensure Activity achieves all results defined in the contract; Assume responsibility for overall contract management ensuring quality control and timeliness of deliverables;
A BACKGROUND THAT CONVINCES US
Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in international development, public policy, climate or environmental sciences, climate adaptation and mitigation, urban planning, disaster risk management, engineering, economics, or another related field;
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience implementing donor-funded programs of similar scale, scope, complexity;
Minimum 10 years of management experience of donor-funded projects of similar size and scope; USAID/USG experience preferred;
Demonstrated experience working in climate change development, climate adaptation and mitigation, climate smart technologies, climate finance, and/or private sector climate investment and gender-forward climate integration programming;
Demonstrated ability to engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue and develop strong working relationships with donors, host country government counterparts, private sector, and civil society;
Demonstrated ability to work in challenging environments and with multi-cultural teams;
Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and exceptional oral and written communication skills;
Fluency in English (required) and Arabic (preferred).
Familiarity with local context and urban development and climate change and/or economic development efforts in Jordan (preferred).
AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MOTIVATES YOU
GOPA Group US (GOPA Group US | GOPA Group (gopa-group.org) is part of the GOPA Consulting Group, a multidisciplinary group of consulting and engineering companies dedicated to implementing sustainable projects for a better world. As a leader in the European and German markets, GOPA Group has more than five decades of experience working with an array of clients, including the EU, GIZ, KfW, Millennium Challenge Corporation, the World Bank and a host of other development and finance agencies. GOPA Group brings new models, tools, networks, and private-sector approaches that focus on meeting local needs and results that last. GOPA Group supports multiple national and local organizations across six global regions: Middle East and North Africa, Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, European Union, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. GOPA US closely with all GOPA Group business units in Europe and around the world. Our technical expertise spans a wide range of areas, including education and employment, health, infrastructure development, energy, climate change and environment, agriculture, private sector development, and governance. Our work begins with strong technical expertise that combines state-of-the-art technology, cutting-edge research, and innovation. This model supports collaboration in complex project settings and on cross-cutting issues in close partnership with local actors. All of our companies are steadfastly committed to improving lives and livelihoods and building sustainable local structures and competencies worldwide.
READY FOR CHANGE?
If you are interested, please apply with your CV and a cover letter!
GOPA Group US is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
Your career is more than a job. As a member of our global team, you will be involved in projects that impact the future for communities around the world. You will be empowered in a dynamic and diverse environment that maximizes your skills and encourages new ideas. We feel ourselves accountable for learning from experience and it’s our mix of integrity and ambition to contribute to a better tomorrow that makes us such a special place to work.
Implementing diverse projects in transition and developing countries and thus contributing to a „better tomorrow“ is our business. We, GOPA Consulting Group, are one of the leading consulting companies in the field of International Cooperation. For more than 50 years we are successfully implementing projects on behalf of national and international institutions, as for example the GIZ, KfW and EU. Topics are manifold and range, among others, from the improvement of education for the young, over measures of climate change adaptation to projects in health and infrastructure.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, age, ethnic origin, disability, or any other protected group in the locations where we work. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and GOPA project policies, procedures, values all the time and in all in-country venues.
