Deputy Chief of Party for Operations: USAID Protecting Rights and Lives in the Sahel Activity

Position description

Winrock International works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)-Operations to support a dynamic team in implementing an anticipated regional USAID/Protecting Rights and Lives in the Sahel Activity, a new 5-year countering Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) activity for the Sahel region. The solicitation will be issued as a regional opportunity, via a Leader with Award (LWA) mechanism. The activity is intended to support interventions in countries covered by USAID’s Sahel Regional Office in Dakar: Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and The Gambia. Additionally, other countries in the Sahel region will be able to buy in to this opportunity at a later date. 

The DCOP-Operations will be responsible for managing and coordinating all project office and field operations for the USAID/Protecting Rights and Lives in the Sahel Activity, while supervising the project’s procurement, finance, grant, human resources, partners and administrative staff. In undertaking these responsibilities, the DCOP-Operations will coordinate closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and Home Office Project Manager to respond to requests regarding operations, procurement, grants, human resources, subcontracts, security, and compliance matters. The DCOP -Operations will supervise project operations staff and will report to the Chief of Party. 

Qualified candidates from Sahel countries are strongly encouraged to apply.  

The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Train and supervise local staff on all aspects of project operations including administration, grants, security, procurement, human resources (HR), subawards and finance and ensure all procedures are followed and ensure compliance with USAID rules and regulations and Winrock procedures as laid out in the Winrock project manuals. 

• Develop, maintain standard operating procedures (human resources, grants, procurement, security, etc.) 

• Oversee operations personnel performance in close communication with the COP. 

• Oversee operations of the project office(s) ensuring timeliness, compliance, and cost principles in the procurement of goods and services. 

• Support the development and updating of the project Grants Manual and oversee grantmaking operations including any required capacity building for sub-grantees. 

• Develop purchase order contracts with proper quotations, selection memos in place, and background checks through Lexis Nexis as laid out in Winrock’s Finance, HR, Procurement and Security Manuals. 

• Prepare consultant agreements, performing due diligence in checking salary information, education credentials, and background checks per Winrock’s consultant guidance. 

• Review and approve payments prior to obtaining the COP’s approval. Ensure all supporting documentation is in place and contractual requirements are met before proceeding with payments. 

• Monitor contracts to ensure consultants, subcontractors, or local vendors (as appropriate) are working within their Level or Effort and Period of Performance. Monitor contractual compliance to ensure services and/or goods are delivered within deadlines. 

• Supervise the daily financial operations of contracts including cash management (disbursements, and log), banking issues, and payment procedures ensuring compliance with the Winrock Field Office Finance Manual. Communicates with the Winrock accountant to resolve any questions as needed. 

• Lead the preparation of the Field Office Voucher (FOV) ensuring all vouchers and supporting documentation is clear, and approvals are attached. Prior to submission to the Home Office Accountant, ensure QuickBooks is clearly labeled, and expenses charged to the proper project accounting charge-codes as instructed by the Home office accountant. 

• Work closely with the technical team to monitor financial obligations to ensure budget availability and allocability. 

• Work with the Home Office in close communication with the COP to prepare accurate budget burn-rate projections and monitor expenditures using the project’s budget tracker. 

• Supervise the management of project office assets and furniture ensuring the administrative staff follows the Winrock property manual procedures such as tracking, inventory management, release forms, and labeling of all property. 

• Supervise and coordinate project security for the project’s office with Home Office, Director of Security and COP. 

• Ensure office and project security is enforced. 

• Ensure all program events are properly coordinated and all approvals are in place before proceeding. 

• Ability to travel up to 30% to project sites/offices as necessary.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience of which a minimum of five years must be direct USAID project management experience for international development projects in the Sahel region—preferably with a USAID contract implementer. Experience working in regional projects is preferred. 
• Minimum 3 years previous experience managing teams and strengthening the capacity of junior staff. 
• Extensive knowledge of USAID regulations and policies. 
• Experience with grants programs and program operations including human resources and procurement. 
• Strong knowledge of financial management and reporting and procurement processes. 
• Proficiency with MS Word and Excel; Experience with QuickBooks desired. 
• Prior experience with contingency planning. 
• Strong personnel management, organization, prioritization and interpersonal skills, and attention to detail. 
• Previous experience working in the Sahel region required. 
• Experience managing technical teams implementing the 4-Ps – prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership–with adults and children. 
• Experience collaborating with government, regional alliances, local and national NGOs, and private sector actors. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skill in English and French required.

Application instructions

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