What is chief of party?

The Chief of Party (COP) is the top management position in a project team or organization. They are responsible for the overall management and direction of the project or organization. The COP is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the project's budget, operations, and staff.

The Chief of Party is typically responsible for working with stakeholders, including government officials, private sector partners, and other organizations. They must be able to build and maintain strong relationships with these stakeholders to ensure the success of the project.

The COP must possess excellent leadership skills and the ability to motivate and guide their team towards achieving project objectives. They must also have strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, communicate project goals and objectives, and oversee project progress.

The Chief of Party role is commonly found in international development projects and donor-funded programs, where they are responsible for ensuring that projects are implemented efficiently, effectively, and with high quality.