Chief of Party | Manila, Philippines | 2025

Chemonics International Inc. is seeking a Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID-funded Philippine Fishery Activity (PFA). This five-year $25-$50 million program will address unsustainable fishing (i.e. overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated [IUU] fishing) by supporting enhanced policy development, sustainable harvest strategies, and increased compliance with existing fisheries policies, while addressing the loss of livelihoods from unsustainable fishing practices and resource destruction.

The project is anticipated to have the following objectives:

1. Expand institutional partnerships of government, communities, and the private sector
2. Increase compliance with science-informed policies and regulations
3. Increase socio-economic benefits for small-scale fishers and disadvantaged populations

The Chief of Party will lead all technical, administrative, and financial management aspects of the activity and will serve as the primary liaison with USAID and other counterparts throughout the life of the activity. This position is anticipated to be based in Manila with travel to different project sites.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership across all program objectives and direct the project’s strategic vision to achieve the program objectives, meet contractual obligations, and ensure high-quality and technically sound implementation.
• Serve as the primary liaison to USAID and collaborate with national and sub-national government actors and stakeholders — including program partners, public and private sector organizations, service providers, civil society organizations, and beneficiaries — to address program objectives.
• Manage project staff to ensure quality control over all project operations and performance targets, and compliance with USAID, USG, and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures as well as Chemonics policies and systems
• Oversee financial management, including budgeting, tracking, and reporting, ensuring resources are used efficiently to support conservation outcomes and community development.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (preferred) or combination of bachelor’s degree and experience in fisheries, marine biology, environmental science, natural resource management, or other relevant field
• A minimum of 15 years relevant technical experience and 10 years of progressive senior management experience on international donor-funded programs of similar size and scope, with strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, procurement, and budgeting
• Knowledge of USAID regulations preferred
• Experience working with counterparts at various levels of the government, private sector, and other stakeholders in sustainable and ecosystem-based fisheries management, environmental governance, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods or other relevant programming
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with external stakeholders (e.g., government, private sector, and civil society counterparts)
• Exceptional ability to ensure coherence and consistency under tight deadlines, including quality control and timelines of all deliverables
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Experience working in similar country contexts; experience in the Philippines and/or Southeast Asia region is strongly preferred, but not required
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal