Chief of Party | Vientiane, Laos | 2025

Chemonics International, a U.S. based international development consulting firm, is recruiting for a Chief of Party position for the anticipated USAID-funded Read to Learn activity in Laos. The five to seven year, $25 to $50 million activity will expand upon USAID’s current investments in early primary education in Laos to focus on grades 3 to 5. The goals of the activity are to 1) develop supplementary teaching and learning materials for teachers and students, 2) support teacher training and continuous professional development, and 3) Work closely with the Village Development Education Committees to foster a culture of learning for all. The COP position will be based in Vientiane, Laos. We are seeking individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the oversight, administration, supervision, and management of all aspects of contract performance
• Utilizes Chemonics’ tools and systems in collaboration with the Chemonics-Washington project management unit, technical practices, and other resources.
• Exercises general administrative oversight of program activities and expenditures and coordinate on a daily (or near daily) basis with USAID, Activity partners, counterparts within all levels of the MoES, and other concerned stakeholders.
• Supervises all Contractor staff to ensure program activities are carried out in a timely manner, and within the budgetary and programmatic framework.
• Holds ultimate responsibility for the quality and timeliness of USAID reporting and communication efforts, data quality, and clarity of deliverables.
• Operates effectively, build partnerships with relevant institutions and structures, work in a collaborative manner, and reinforce performance monitoring and accountability for staff and partners, building trust, transparency, and rapport among partners.
• Strong and frequent communicator, able to effectively communicate equally well orally as through written communication.
• Motivates staff to perform effectively toward project objectives through communication, team building incentives, and responsiveness.
• Oversees local staff growth and provide mentorship to empower staff to become primary recipients of USAID and other donor funding
• Travel within Laos as necessary, to ensure effective management and oversight of programming and staff
• Directly supervises the DCOP and Finance and Operations Director

Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in education related areas with at least 7 (seven) years of progressive responsibility in managing activities of similar scope with demonstrated experience working internationally, preferably in SEA, to include experience in positions of responsibility in international education development programs, experience in early grade reading, educational skills assessment of early grade learners, training, community engagement, and system strengthening. Significant experience includes at least one stint as chief of party, or comparable Program Manager or supervisory position, OR
• A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and at least 10 (ten) years of demonstrated experience working internationally, preferably in SEA, to include experience in positions of responsibility in international education development programs, experience in early grade learning, educational skills assessment of early grade learners, training, community engagement, and system strengthening. Significant relevant experience includes at least one stint as chief of party, or comparable Program Manager or supervisory function.
• The chief of party must have a demonstrated understanding of the technical activities R2L will implement; working knowledge of the primary education system in Laos preferred
• Ample experience in program design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation, education reform, and national-level quality improvement is required
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to build and sustain partnerships with senior government officials, local partners and other donors to achieve development results is preferred
• Demonstrated strong operations, budgetary, compliance, subcontracts, and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, to work across different cultures, and manage diverse teams to deliver impact within agreed timelines
• Demonstrated ability to provide oversight of local capacity development efforts, including working local partners to ensure adherence to all sub-award requirements
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills with ability to manage high-level relationships
• Fluency in written and spoken English required