DescriptionThe QED Group, LLC doing business as Q2 Impact is a global consulting firm with more than 24 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions in close to 100 countries. We are passionate about transforming lives through knowledge-based solutions. Leveraging deep expertise in monitoring, evaluation, global health, and learning, we help our clients collect, analyze, visualize, and ultimately use data in more effective ways. Our work maximizes results through the use of cutting-edge technologies and innovation, organizational development, and evidence-based decision-making.The purpose of the USAID Learning Activity (ULA) is to further strengthen USAID/Uganda performance and improve the performance of its implementing partners, with a focus on collaborating, learning and adapting, in order to enhance the impact and sustainability of USAID-supported contributions to Uganda’s development. The ULA will achieve this through three objectives:Collaboration: Strengthened collaboration, both internally and with external stakeholders, enables USAID to better leverage expertise, learning and resources; and deepens local ownership.Learning: Systematic learning, through applied research, monitoring and evaluation, informs and improves the relevance, quality and cost- effectiveness of programs and operationsPerforming: Adaptive management of program implementation and meta-level interventions to improve the quality of USAID program outcomes.The Chief of Party (COP) will lead the Q2 Impact team in achieving all project objectives and will be based in Kampala. S/He will provide overall technical and strategic direction, leadership, and management oversight to the ULA project team. The COP will be the principal point of contact for the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) in country and will have the authority to make decisions on behalf of QED and will have primary accountability for project requirements. S/He will coordinate and liaise with other stakeholders, including government agencies, other donor-funded projects, implementing partners, and USAID and other donors. The COP will provide direct supervision of and work with ULA Directors as part of the ULA Senior Management Team (SMT) to lead the development and implementation of the project. S/He will provide additional quality assurance and help ensure the timeliness of deliverables. S/He will work with the Director of Finance and Administration to oversee budgeting and the financial operations of the project, ensuring compliance with contractual, Q2 Impact, USAID, and Ugandan requirements. The Chief of Party (COP) will indirectly supervise the work of all personnel assigned to tasks under the activity; ensure timely, accurate and user-friendly reporting on the progress and status of all services provided under the activity; and ensure the USAID-compliance and integrity of activity operations. The COP will also provide guidance and support on technical activities undertaken by the project related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and collaborating, learning, and adapting as well as data management, data quality, information products and dissemination, and data demand and use. The COP will liaise directly and coordinateon a regular and routine basis with the Q2 Impact home office and project partners. H/She will work to establish an environment of innovation and collaboration to enhance the impact and sustainability of USAID-supported contributions to Uganda’s development.Responsibilities:Program Management, Planning, and ImplementationDefine, gain consensus, and redefine the vision guiding implementation; identify and pursue targets of opportunityOversee the development of a work plan with team members and work plans’ implementationOversee and monitor execution of activities within the work plan, ensuring that there is consensus on project objectives; activities are performed to a high professional standard; and objectives are metIdentify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustmentsEnsure regular meetings are scheduled with the project team as a vehicle for guiding the projectLead the team to determine, assess, and learn from causes and effects of deviations from work plan – ensure this learning is shared with the client, partners, and key stakeholdersAnticipate potential future problems in time to ensure that preventive measures can be takenLead the team to use feedback received during project monitoring and evaluation activities propose and implement actions to remedy deviations from the work plan, or to change the work planReassess objectives, strategy, and/or plansOversee training and professional development for staff and ensure the team is working to strengthen capacity for monitoring and evaluation among partner and local IP staff and/or subcontractorsIf appropriate, recommend changes in project objectives and/or contract scope of workLead the team to deepen USAID/Uganda’s existing learning capabilities and introduce improved avenues to learning, including (when appropriate and feasible) using innovative digital and/or mobile technologies.Lead the team to contribute to USAID/Uganda’s efforts to deliberately draw contextual, programmatic, and operational learning from its monitoring, evaluation, analytical and assessment effortsEnsure the team is actively facilitating the transformation of learning into adapting, including through feedback loopsPersonnel ManagementLead, Manage, and care for the diverse ULA project team, including short and long-term staff, and directly supervise Directors on the Senior Management TeamSupervise and mentor assigned staff and strive to maintain a high level of staff retention through staff engagement and development, portfolio management and workload balancing, career growth opportunities, and staff loyaltyRecruit staff and ensure implementation of effective security and human resource protocols for project staffFill staffing gaps expeditiously to keep work plan and budget on trackEvaluate performance and negotiate and recommend salary adjustments and bonusesReview staff performance and provide feedback to team members through informal and formal mechanisms including regular team meetings, individual meetings, and annual performance reviewsBased on staff performance reviews recommend / internally negotiate salary adjustmentsDetermine whether/when/how to make early termination of field employeesEnsure adequate and timely provision of contract-allowed benefits and allowancesActively seek to resolve personnel issues and concerns of team members, ensuring their welfare and safety along with the Home Office HR teamStrengthen Q2 Impact’s positive corporate culture; support other groups and practices in attaining their goals/targetsMotivate staff to perform effectively toward project objectives, through communication, team building incentives, and responsivenessLead through example, offer and implement constructive and practical solutions, and implement current and revised policies, procedures, and systemsCommunications and Information ManagementMaintain two-way communication throughout the project with Client, team, home office, subcontractors, and other relevant project organizationsCommunicate with interested individuals, organizations, stakeholders as neededMake formal and informal presentations on request by Client or as needed for other partiesPrepare periodic reports to Client on progress towards project objectivesRepresent Company interestsEnsure the promotion of the project among Ministry/client department heads, professional groups, and other relevant peopleEstablish criteria, guidelines, and formats for project plans and reportsModel and ensure collaboration among ULA Senior Management Team on operational matters as well as programmatic mattersEnsure that data and insights are read, discussed, and used to adapt and inform program designsContractual and Financial ManagementExecute contract in compliance with contract provisionsManage contract and project finances (budget and funds)Manage the contract budget in coordination with the Director of Finance and Administration and Q2 Impact Home OfficeMaintain administrative and financial controls, and records, pursuant to Q2 Impact’s financial and administrative proceduresRecommend changes in contract and budgetDevelop input for and guide response to audit questions and client feedbackManage commodity procurement, inventory, and general logisticsEnsure high quality in fulfilling contractRepresent Q2 Impact by protecting its contractual interestsLead the resolution of issues that arise with the client, sub-contractors, and other partners and stakeholdersIdentify issues and risks related to contract management in a timely mannerOversee the performance of partners/sub-awardeesEnsure compliance with all terms and conditions of the contract and applicable U.S. Government and USAID rules and regulationsTechnical ManagementCarry out technical dutiesParticipate in effective information sharing and knowledge managementProvide overall responsibility for all data collection, monitoring and evaluation, report generation, learning and dissemination activities, and related tasksEnsure quality control and overall responsiveness of MEL technical assistance provided under the contract, including necessary adjustments to operations to fit the requirements of USAID and working environment in UgandaServe as the main point of contact for ULA with the USAID and implementing partners and provide overall vision and leadership of the ULA projectManage and oversee preparation and ensure timely submission of all deliverablesEnsure the quality of all data collection, analyses, reports, and other deliverables and that they meet Q2 Impact and USAID quality control/assurance standardsManage and monitor all sub-contractors and sub-awards under the ULA contractDirect and monitor execution of all activities within the work plan and ad hoc requestsCoordinate with Q2 Impact Home Office on technical activities to ensure proper reporting, quality and trackingEnsure appropriate thought leadership and communications pieces are coming from the project, highlight pain points for innovation or opportunities for piloting innovation activities.Lead project to attainment of high CPARsOther Duties and Responsibilities as Related to Assignment and PositionDevelop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team membersSupport identification of growth opportunities in the region for Q2 Impact and participate in business development as neededOther duties as requested by Q2 Impact Management and/or Project DirectorRequirements:Master’s Degree in social sciences, development studies or a relevant fieldAt least ten years of progressively increasing responsibility in managing large comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) contracts of similar nature, size, and complexity to that of ULAMinimum of five years’ experience living and working in developing country environments, preferably East AfricaWorking knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and proceduresProgresive in the field of MEL/CLAStrong personnel management experience, preferably leading a team of more than 20 staff membersStrong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically, ability to manage a culturally and linguistically diverse staff, consultants, and counterpartsAttention to detail and ability to perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities effectively and efficiently, often within a required timeframeProfessional and diplomatic demeaner and conduct, especially during interactions with the client and its constituentsProven ability to understand client needs, ensure client satisfaction, and deliver timely and appropriate solutionsProven ability to be flexible, responsive, and adaptive to shifting priorities and seizing opportunities to generate added value of deliverables and servicesThought leadership in the field of MEL/CLAStrong oral and written communication skills, including presentation experience to high-level audiencesSuperior relationship building, interpersonal, management, and leadership skillsExperience across multiple geographies on strategic and organizational issuesCommitment to developing and staying up to date on company policies, practices, and trendsProven ability to leverage and manage partnerships and cooperate with host country governments and international partners in implementing large-scale monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities in support of multi-intervention, strategic health information projects preferredPrevious experience managing sub-contractors is desirablePrevious experience implementing a USAID-funded program is desirableEnglish language skills (oral and written) are requiredPlace of Performance:The Chief of Party will work in our Kampala, Uganda with potential occasional travel to other parts of Uganda as need.Period of Performance:The Chief of Party will serve through the end of the contract, unless terminated in accordance with QED policy and Ugandan law.Reporting:The Chief of Party reports to the Project Director