Deputy Chief of Party for Operations (DCOP-Ops)

Counterpart International seeks a full-time Washington DC-based Deputy Chief of Party -Operations (DCOP-Ops) to support a project in a potentially closed, non-permissive environment. The DCOP-Ops will report to the Chief of Party (COP) and will have oversight and management responsibility for all operations related activities of the project including the implementation of grants, finance, and MEL and will coordinate closely with the DCOP-Technical Programs (DCOP-Tech).

The DCOP-Ops will work closely with the COP and DCOP-Tech in setting the program vision and strategy for the project to achieve its award objectives. The DCOP-Ops will also assist the COP in developing all work plans and have oversight responsibility for the completion of all formal program deliverables as cited in the cooperative agreement. The DCOP-Ops will make sure all program reports are prepared on time.

DCOP-Ops will supervise the grants director to ensure grants are designed, advertised, evaluated, and awarded on a timely basis and manage the program team in the grant implementation phase to monitor the program activities of the grantees and make sure grantees receive appropriate technical support as needed. The DCOP-Ops will assist the COP in managing the partner relationships with the project partners.

The DCOP-Ops will manage the Finance team, and MEL team as well as being responsible for managing procurements and human resource tasks and issues.

The DCOP-Ops will keep informed about the status of human rights defenders, journalists, changes in the civic space and support the COP in finding suitable project interventions. The DCOP-Ops will work with the DCOP-Tech to define new approaches and strategies to work in the country as necessary and ensure that the project is adhering to the do no harm principle.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective coordination and cooperation amongst different teams, partners, and grantees.
• Support the development of the technical scope for all RFAs.
• Identify and manage project risks and incorporate the “Do No Harm” all operational processes, decisions etc.
• Provide oversight of the Grants Team to ensure the grants process is streamlined and capable of meeting program target of 365 grants issued including making key adaptations to the grants process to ensure timely and effective grants administration.
• Provides quality control and quality assurance of grant packages and ensures grants are compliant with USAID rules and CPI policies.
• Supervise the Finance team to ensure payments are made to grantees and partners on a timely basis as well as ensuring the submission of all financial documents to USAID. The DCOP-Ops will also work closely with the PMU and PSU representative to manage the project budget.
• Works closely with the PMU, PSU and HQ Human Resources department to address all human resource issues including recruitment of vacated or new positions. The DCOP will coordinate and manage quarterly performance check-ins.
• Supervised the MEL team to ensure data integrity and timely and accurate reporting. This includes leading the quarterly, annual, success stories and ad hoc taskers as required. Identify and promote clear communication on program issues and ensure cross collaboration across program, and operations team.
• Oversee procurements of equipment, office leasing and consultant services.
• Assist in the preparation of project plans and ensure they are understood and implemented across the operations teams.
• Oversee staff capacity-building across the operations team and provide evaluation and workforce management to ensure their continued growth.
• Ensure proper coordination between different stakeholders, continuously monitor the situation inside Afghanistan, and provide COP with contextual analysis.
• Provide operations or grants support to build capacity of key partners as well as other local organizations on specific activities.
• Monitor key partners’ performance via the MEL team and assist in conducting regular meetings to ensure the project is in line with the annual work plan and take corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure coordination and effective communication within the program team as well as other project team functions including grants, operations, administration, finance, and human resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, business administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 12 years’ experience in USAID grants design, administration, management, and oversight including supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with large to medium USAID projects in operations management, or similar capacity.
• Experience in working in and or remotely for projects in conflict/post-conflict or closed operating environments such as Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong written, verbal, analytical and organizational skills.
• Alignment with Counterpart’s core values.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; additional language skills are preferred.

The salary range for this position is $116,497 to $151,446 annually.