Deputy Chief of Party

JOB TITLE: Deputy Chief of Party (National Staff Position)

TEAM/ PROGRAM: USDA – Liberia

LOCATION: Monrovia

GRADE: 1

CONTRACT TYPE: Indefinite

CHILD SAFEGUARDING

Level 2: either the role holder will have access to personal data about children and/or young people as part of their work; or they will be working in a ‘regulated’ position (accountant, barrister, solicitor, legal executive); therefore a police check will be required (at ‘standard’ level in the UK or equivalent in other countries).

ROLE PURPOSE:

The role holder reports directly to the Chief of Party and ensures technical implementation of high impact, proven interventions that meet stated goals and reporting requirements. S/he will assume the responsibilities of the COP in their absence. The DCOP coordinates with key stakeholders, implementing partners and government representatives in relation to the overall program delivery including education-based activities of the project. S/he manages the implementation of key project activities throughout the targeted districts, oversees the work of program managers, and ensures efficient operational support for the project team.

In the event of a humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Chief of Party – USDA Liberia

Staff reporting to this post:

Budget Responsibilities: TBD

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY :

General Project Management and Leadership:

• In collaboration with the COP, ensure that the project is delivered according to the contractual requirements with USDA and US government (i.e. that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled);
  
• Under COP guidance, design and regularly update detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used by the team appropriately to monitor progress towards completion and achievement of program objectives;
  
• Support the COP to ensure that programmatic and financial reports for USDA, government and Save the Children are prepared as required, ensuring these are of the highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the donor. Be fully aware of the grant compliance regulations of Save the Children as well as USDA;
  
• Inspire and motivate teams under the DCOP management. This includes continuously seeking to build strong teams and ensuring projects, initiatives or other work functions are performed successfully, on time, and as expected by the COP.
  
• Assist with the preparation and revision of a realistic budget for assigned activities and work streams, authorize and monitor expenditures in line with the budget, donor guidelines and Save the Children’s grant management and financial regulations;
  
• Manage and motivate direct reports to achieve their work plan objectives, and to contribute to the achievement of the overall program goals;
  
• Take leadership of and guide management of the LEARN III Project Field Offices;
  
• Maintain good working relationships with officials, government ministries, implementing partners and the international and local NGO community;
  
• Work with program staff and Save the Children Technical Advisors based in the country office to identify the technical support needs of the program and ensure this support is provided;
  
• Coordinate closely with the SC offices in administrative and HR matters, especially regarding operations and financial matters as they relate to the program; and
  
• Attend and actively participate in periodic program meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges are prepared and presented with follow-up actions as required.
  
• The DCOP will manage the Education, SHN and Construction technical work streams and the responsible technical Senrior Managers
  
  Key Technical Leadership:
  
  While the DCOP has an overall coordination role for the project and also line manages the abovementioned work streams, s/he will have a key role to play on ensuring the project meets the necessary technical standards. This will include:
  
• Ensure that staff are aware of and understand Save the Children’s relevant global strategy, result framework and common approaches
  
• Support staff to adopt relevant technical approaches and tools in program implementation, adapting to fit within the country context.
  
• Work closely with SCUS and SCI technical collagues to ensure updated technical know-how is applied across project cycles.
  
  Program Quality:
  
• Overall responsibility to ensure educational program quality of the LEARN III Project.
  
• Collaborate and coordinate with Save the Children’s Global Education team, member representatives, technical advisors, program staff and consultants to ensure that LEARN III receives quality technical assistance in line with project and CO’s strategies and work plans;
  
  External Representation, Policy and Advocacy:
  
• Build strong relationships with government ministries, INGOs, UN agencies, development and humanitarian partners, CSOs, local authorities, corporate sector and academic institutions working on education that benefit both LEARN III and SCI more broadly.
  
• Establish a strong reputation for Save the Children, ensuring we are valued as a key technical resource which contributes effectively to joint learning, analysis, policy development and strengthened education systems in Sri Lanka;
  
• Represent Save the Children at national, regional and international meetings, with a particular focus on developing the reputation of Save the Children as a leading education agency in Liberia through active participation in sector working groups;
  
• Support Liberian engagement with global Save the Children campaigns and advocacy initiatives.
  
  Management and Capacity Building
  
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of the Liberia country office.
  
• Identify and support professional development and career growth opportunities for education staff, and provide mentoring support where appropriate;
  
• As relates to the broader education mission, support education staff working with and strengthening civil society partners, including partner assessment/risk analysis, capacity building planning and technical support.
  
• Provide technical advice and support to external stakeholders including government, corporates and other authorities working in the field of education as needed.
  
  BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
  
  Accountability:
  
• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
  
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
  
  Ambition:
  
• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
  
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
  
  Collaboration:
  
• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
  
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
  
  Creativity:
  
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  
• Willing to take disciplined risks.
  
  Integrity:
  
  Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.
  
  QUALIFICATIONS
  
• Master’s Degree in relevant areas of expertise, international development or related field is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is required;
  
• Professional degree in Civil Engineering, Construction management, or other related field.
  
  EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
  
• Minimum of seven years professional experience managing and implementing complex international development programs of similar size and scope, with a minimum of five years’ experience in the region, ideally in Sri Lanka;
  
• At least five years experience leading large teams and demonstrable leadership skills related to coordinating projects across multiple sectors.
  
• Thorough understanding of international donor-funded construction engineering and WASH technical sector work;
  
• At least five years of demonstrated experience in construction project design, implementation and management (including supervising a technical team) on international donor funded projects (e.g., USAID, UN agencies or NGOs)
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, private sector entities, local community organizations, donors and other stakeholders at both the national and sub-national levels;
  
• In-depth knowledge of international donor approaches and regulations (knowledge of USAID and/or USDA regulations is preferred);
  
• Strengths in inspiring and enabling others through teamwork, training, and capacity building to realize organizational objectives;
  
• Familiarity with the political, social, and cultural context of Liberia.
  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of local languages a plus;
  
  Additional job responsibilities
  
  The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
  
  Equal Opportunities
  
  The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.
  
  Child Safeguarding:
  
  We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
  
  Safeguarding our Staff:
  
  The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.
  
  Health and Safety
  
  The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.