Deputy Chief of Party, USAID Ocean and Coastal Activity Senegal

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to support the anticipated 5-year USAID Ocean and Coastal Activity in Senegal. The long-term objective of the USAID Senegal Oceans and Coastal Activity is to sustainably manage the small pelagic fisheries to support healthy ecosystems, equitable economic opportunities, improved food security, and increased resilience for the people of Senegal, especially women and youth. This is a full-time position based in Dakar, Senegal and will serve the life of the project. Senegalese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP), the DCOP will lead the overall technical management, monitoring, reporting, developing and maintaining partnerships to meet activity objectives; mobilize and/or directly provide technical expertise; and handle administrative and supervisory responsibilities in collaboration with the project team and as specified by the COP. This position will report to the COP and serves as acting COP during their absence.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with the COP to establish a program management structure that favors integration among technical sectors. Manage adaptive processes as required by a dynamic operational environment.
• Assume leadership and ensure oversight and coordination of the technical aspects of the program; working with in-house and/or partner experts to ensure high-quality technical delivery of the program.
• Ensure that implementation is on time, achieves targets, and is within budget.
• Coordinate with the project Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team to ensure the MERL system is effective and efficient.
• Support the MERL team to develop a learning agenda for generating evidence-based knowledge to support project management and inform about best practices in marine management and conservation, livelihood development, and women’s leadership.
• Establish and implement the system for regular environmental mitigation and management planning (EMMP) and reporting.
• Ensure that project activities are just, equitable and inclusive of women, youth and marginalized groups, based on sound assessments.
• Participate in the development and review of annual work plans, quarterly reports, annual reports, financial pipelines, and resource estimates.
• Support the MERL team to identify policy gaps and elaborate an evidence-based policy agenda.
• Provide technical oversight in the design, implementation and monitoring of small grants to project partners, in collaboration with the grants management team.
• Coordinate weekly internal meetings with senior staff and ensure proper dissemination of information to all staff as appropriate.
• Maintain regular contact and interaction with project and USAID mission staff, as well as civil society, private sector and government partners and stakeholders to the program.
• In coordination with the project’s Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), ensure program implementation complies with Counterpart’s policies and procedures, the laws of Senegal, and USAID rules and regulations, particularly with respect to financial and grants management.
• Coordinate with program, finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place and perform optimally in support of the timely implementation of field activities.
• Serve as acting COP as needed.
• Undertake regular field trips to project sites to engage with field staff, project partners and stakeholders and ensure quality implementation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelors’ degree required; advanced degree in biodiversity conservation, fisheries and natural resource management, marine biology, and/or other related fields preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive responsibility in international development, preferably in Senegal and/or West Africa.
• Previous experience supporting and/or managing complex donor-funded projects, including minimum 5 years of senior project management in a highly complicated environment. Experience with USAID development activities preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing systems to identify potential partners, evaluation of partner capacity, managing grants with local partners, training development and other technical areas related to the activity objectives.
• Ability to work effectively and develop trusting relations with government officials at all levels, CSOs, USAID, project staff, and other beneficiaries.
• Experience in designing and implementing development projects focused on healthy ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, food security, and resiliency of the coastal communities in Senegal.
• Experience supervising teams of diverse staff and demonstrated leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to give effective presentations and write high-quality technical reports.
• Knowledge of applicable U.S. and Senegal’s government regulations related to environmental impact evaluation and management.
• Ability to produce high-quality deliverables under pressure throughout the project cycle from planning, management, and execution to troubleshooting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate fully and effectively, both oral and written, in English and French is required.