Chief of Party (COP) — Faith and Community Initiative (FCI)

Job description

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith. Come join our 31,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories! Employee Contract Type: Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term) Job Description: Purpose of the Position Under the direct supervision of the National Director and in alignment with the WVUS Global Management Team (GMT), the Chief of Party (COP) provides overall in-country leadership and management for the Faith and Community Initiative (FCI), ensuring effective, high-quality, timely, and compliant delivery of the FCI country programme within the FCI global strategy, standards, and results framework. The COP serves as the principal in-country point of contact with the U.S. Embassy (as directed by the National Director and the WVUS GMT), host government, Christian Health Associations (CHAs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and key stakeholders. S/he leads the FCI country team, oversees the FCI budget, and is accountable for achieving FCI project goals and objectives. A central mandate of this role is to lead progressive transition and absorption of programme activities, health workers, facilities, and data systems into government ownership and domestic financing — in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and national steering committee. The COP brings sufficient technical familiarity with integrated health programming (HIV, TB, MCH, and nutrition) to lead credibly, while relying on the Technical Specialist and DMEAL Specialist for technical depth. S/he collaborates with the Integrated Development Programme & Impact Director to ensure alignment with organizational strategy. The COP personifies World Vision's mission, vision, and strategies through life, deed, word, and signing of our values. Major Responsibilities 1. S trategic Leadership & Programme Management — 30% Provide overall leadership and management of the FCI country programme, responsible for achievement of country goals, objectives, and results in a timely and cost-effective manner. Lead country-level planning, adapting guidelines provided by the Global Management Team to the local context; translate them into country work plans and performance targets. Implement the global strategy, standards, and performance expectations at country level, ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines. Uphold the 80/20 efficiency commitment and drive the country transition and sustainability roadmap toward government and faith-based ownership. Ensure effective integration of HIV, TB, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, and health systems strengthening interventions. Promote adaptive management and innovation throughout project implementation. Project achieves at least 90% of annual targets against approved performance indicators. Annual workplans and budgets approved and implemented on time. At least 95% of donor deliverables submitted by agreed deadlines. Project implementation rated satisfactory or above during donor assessments. 2. External Relations, Stakeholder & Partnership Management — 25% Serve as the principal in-country point of contact and FCI representative to the U.S. Embassy and GHSD country team, keeping them informed of major programme developments. Manage relationships with host-government counterparts, including Ministries of Health and Finance, and other relevant ministries and sub-national authorities. Build and maintain strong partnerships with CHAs, FBO networks, and other strategic partners to support delivery of integrated health services and advance country ownership goals. Represent FCI on the national steering committee (or existing coordinating body) chaired by the host government, ensuring alignment with the country MOU and national health strategies. Coordinate with other PEPFAR/GHSD programmes and partners so that FCI activities complement ongoing initiatives, adhere to standards, and avoid duplication. Cultivate relationships with local implementing and sub-partners, the Global Fund, principal and sub-recipients, and other bilateral partners. Quarterly stakeholder coordination meetings conducted. Sustainability and transition plans developed and implemented. Evidence of government ownership and integration of project-supported interventions. 3. Transitio n to Government Ownership & Sustainability — 20% Lead high-level negotiations with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and other government authorities to secure progressive transition and absorption of FCI-supported activities, health workers, facilities, commodities, and data systems. Develop, negotiate, and steward a country-specific sustainability and transition plan with clear benchmarks, milestones, and timelines, jointly owned with the host government and endorsed by the national steering committee. Secure government commitments and co-investment (including budget lines and payroll absorption) for continued financing of frontline health workers, hubs, spokes, and community platforms beyond the life of the award. Advocate with government and faith-based service providers to formalize the integration of faith-based facilities and staff into national health plans, payroll, supply chain, and information systems. Track and report on transition progress against agreed benchmarks; escalate risks and adjust the roadmap in coordination with the Global Project Director. Country-specific transition plan endorsed by the national steering committee within the agreed timeline. Government budget commitments and payroll absorption milestones met. Faith-based facilities formally integrated into national health systems. <4.Financial>, Risk & Compliance Oversight — 15% Hold overall accountability for country-level administration, fiscal management, and grant and contract management; ensure all programme goals are met on time and within budget. Oversee country programmatic and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with donor regulations, World Vision policies, and country statutory requirements. In coordination with the Finance & Compliance Specialist, ensure expenses are reasonable, allocable, and compliant for clean audits. Identify country-level risks — programmatic, financial, safeguarding, security, and reputational — in a timely manner; lead mitigation and escalate to the Global Project Director as needed. Budget variance maintained within ±10% of approved budget. No major audit findings attributable to project management. Sub-award expenditures reviewed and approved according to donor requirements. 5. Technical Qu ality, Learning & Knowledge Management — 10% Ensure implementation of high-quality, evidence-based programming aligned with FCI global technical standards. Promote institutional strengthening and localization efforts across the FCI country programme. Capture and disseminate lessons learned and best practices to the FCI GMT and broader stakeholder community. DQA scores achieve agreed standards. Quarterly learning reviews conducted and documented. Lessons learned and best practices shared across stakeholders. 6. People Manage ment & Organizational Leadership — 10% Lead, supervise, and motivate the country team of technical and programme-management staff, ensuring strong communication and coordination. Directly supervise the Health Technical Specialist, Finance & Compliance Specialist, and DMEAL Specialist; set performance expectations and support staff development. Manage in-country consortium and sub-partners, establishing and maintaining strong lines of communication and collaboration. Foster staff development, coaching, and succession planning; promote World Vision values and organizational culture. Oversee country office operations, logistics, procurement, and administration in line with World Vision and donor policies and country laws. Staff performance reviews completed within organizational timelines. Staff engagement and retention rates maintained at agreed organizational targets. Capacity development plans implemented for all direct reports. 100% compliance with World Vision safeguarding requirements. All safeguarding incidents reported and managed within policy timelines. Required Qualifications & Experience Education Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, Health Systems Management, Health Information Management, Disease Control & Management, or Epidemiology PLUS 10 years of experience in the related field; OR Master's degree in Public Health, International Development, Business/Public Administration, or a related field PLUS 15 years of experience in the related field. Professional certification in project/programme management will be an added advantage. Training in HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Maternal and Child Health, Health Systems Strengthening, or related technical areas. Experience Progressively responsible experience managing large donor-funded health and development programmes, including prior Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or senior country programme management experience strongly preferred. At least 5 years in a senior leadership role managing multi-partner, multi-million-dollar development projects. Demonstrated experience managing U.S. Government-funded programmes (USAID, PEPFAR, CDC, or similar). Proven track record representing programmes to U.S. Embassies/USG, national governments, the Global Fund, and other partners. Demonstrated experience negotiating the transition or absorption of programme activities into government systems and financing, including with Ministries of Health and Finance. Proven experience ensuring compliance and clean audits on donor-funded awards. Sufficient technical familiarity with integrated health programming (HIV, TB, malaria, MCH, and nutrition) to provide credible leadership. Experience working with faith-based communities and Christian Health Associations. Language Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (Proficient). Proficiency in the national/local language(s) strongly preferred. Technical Competencies Organizational Awareness (Advanced) Understands business operations, the mission, work, and priorities of the organization; applies knowledge of informal structure, culture, and climate in achieving goals. Programme Design & Implementation (Proficient) Effectively designs development and relief programmes that transform communities in need; understands how to acquire and integrate resources to support programme design. Sector Knowledge (Proficient) Understands current methodologies and standards in health (HIV, TB, malaria, MCH, nutrition); effectively applies knowledge in designing, monitoring, and evaluating programmes. Funding Mechanisms Knowledge (Advanced) Understands diverse funding mechanisms (cost proposals, fixed-price grants, cooperative agreements); applies knowledge in developing budgets and managing awards. Managing Resources (Advanced) Identifies appropriate people, facilities, tools, time, and vendors for accomplishing goals; considers costs and benefits prior to allocating resources. Coaching & Developing Others (Advanced) Coaches and mentors’ others effectively; understands performance evaluation, feedback, developmental opportunities, and how adults learn. Knowledge Management (Proficient) Organizes and manages information resources so critical knowledge is retained and can be disseminated; develops feedback loops to capture best practices. English Language Proficiency (Proficient) Ability to speak, understand, and write fluently in English. Core Competencies & WV Values Committed Christian with a deep understanding of World Vision's mission, vision, and values. Demonstrates Christ-centred servant leadership. Upholds integrity, accountability, and stewardship. Promotes child protection and safeguarding as a core organizational commitment. Visionary and transformational leadership with political awareness and diplomacy. Strong negotiation and influencing skills across government, donor, and partner audiences. Results-oriented, with strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities. Change management, adaptive management, and innovation mindset. Working Environment / Conditions Country office environment with regular in-country travel to implementation regions, districts, and field sites (typically up to 40% of time). May require travel to insecure or hazardous locations. Occasional international and regional travel for consortium, GMT, and donor engagements. REMUNERATION: Competitive with market standards. Application Requirements Please upload your CV and covering letter with copies of educational certificates, transcripts and national ID. You are requested to provide, on your CV, full details of three referees (two professional and one spiritual) plus one HR Practitioner. The required details are full referees’ names, designation, email address and contact numbers. Closing Date: 6th September, 2026 As a child-focused organization, World Vision Lesotho is committed to the protection and well-being of children. We follow strict child safeguarding policies and conduct thorough background checks, including criminal record checks, to ensure a safe environment for children. World Vision Lesotho is an equal opportunity employer and upholds Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles. WORLD VISION DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR A JOB OFFER OR OTHER RELATED CONSIDERATIONS Applicant Types Accepted: Local Applicants Only