Deputy Chief of Party

This position is contingent on approval of the Early Grade Reading and Remediating Education Activity grant.

Proposal Summary
The purpose of the USAID Dominican Republic Early Grade Reading and Remediating Education Activity is to support the Dominican Republic's efforts to improve the access and quality of inclusive basic education for students. The Activity expects to increase the number of students achieving grade level reading levels, provide remedial "catch-up" education, and address the social emotional needs of learners in grades 1-3 returning to school in the post COVID-19 context. The Activity will also be open to providing remote and hybrid education services as needed and will build upon results of previous USAID-funded education programs to improve reading proficiency of all learners in targeted areas and enable students to progress in their education and reduce repetition rates. The Activity's expected outcomes are 1) percentage of students meeting minimum proficiency of reading by the end of grade 3 increased and 2) repetition/dropout rates of students in grades one through three reduced.

Position Summary
The Deputy Chief of Party will work under the supervision of the Chief of Party to plan and oversee the implementation of this activity. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish are required. The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) assists the COP in technical, administrative, and managerial tasks needed to ensure efficient program implementation, coordination, program compliance and delivery. The DCOP is responsible for liaising with government counterparts, consortia partners, community leadership and leading on project approvals processes with the relevant Ministries where applicable. He/she will serve as Acting Chief of Party when the COP is unavailable.

FH Culture
All we do, and how we do it, seeks to promote God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in a broken world. As such, we are defined by our ability to make people’s lives measurably better; our ability to deliver impact is the measure of our collective success. For we know that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has already prepared in advance for us to do. At Food for the Hungry, we operate under a set of values called Heartbeat Values.

Principal Responsibilities
•    Support the COP in the development and implementation of a clear strategic vision, set of program approaches and timetable for interventions to achieve project objectives.
•    Lead the national and local government consultation and permissions process through closely working with relevant ministries and agencies where applicable.
•    In coordination with the COP, lead development of annual work plans and budget in close collaboration with the Project team and relevant government counterparts.
•    Coordinate with the Project team and relevant government counterparts to foster a smooth implementation of work plan activities, including facilitating technical and programmatic preparation and stakeholder consultations.
•    Work in close collaboration with the Project team, and the FH country team and Global Service Center to prepare and submit deliverables and complete reporting requirements on schedule to USAID.
•    Work with Finance and M&E staff to compile and submit necessary reports to FH Country Office, Global Service Center, donors, and government as required by local regulations.
•    Support the COP to ensure that staff members adhere to the work plan to ensure that all targets and deliverables are met in accordance with the scope of work, and within budget.
•    Supervise programs and operations staff and relevant consultants.
•    Oversee the program support components (capacity building, safeguards, communication, MERL) to ensure they are in line with USAID strategies.
•    Liaise with government at national and provincial levels, civil society organizations, private sector companies and other stakeholders to support delivery of the project objectives.
•    Oversee local sub-grants and short-term consultants to ensure monitoring and quality of deliverables.
•    When required by the COP, serves as an alternate point of contact and representative of the project with USAID, other donors, implementing partners and stakeholders.
•    Support the COP in set up and implementation of project operational and financial systems to ensure compliance with USAID policies and procedures and harmonize with FH regulations.
•    Support the COP to organize CLA events with staff and partners regularly to anticipate, identify and address risks, issues, and gaps, in a timely and compliant fashion.
•    Support the COP to establish and keep promoting a collaborative and positive work environment.
•    Other duties as assigned.

Job Level Specifications
•    Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian beliefs.
•    Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial data develop reports easy to read and use by other stakeholders.
•    Strong leadership, program and organizational management and communication skills, as well as sound analytical abilities.
•    Proven ability to successfully lead an intercultural team in a development context, including supervising long-term field staff and short term international and local experts is required.
•    Ability to travel up to 20% of time per year in the region and internationally, to at times insecure countries or locations.

Experience
•    At least 7 years of experience with complex, fast paced, and politically sensitive field operations in developing countries, preferably in a fragile or transitional state environment or security-challenged environments; with 5 years of experience in public health or health science.
•    Must have relevant work experience as a DCOP, or senior field management experience such as Project Director, Regional Director, or Country Director roles that require working closely with a donor, contractor, or international NGO, managing an office or program.
•    Knowledge of M&E methodologies (USAID MERL and CLA processes preferred), quality assurance, and work planning processes.
•    Experience working and negotiating with Government bodies, donors, and partners at all levels.
•    Previous management experience on USAID projects.
Education/Certifications
•    Master’s degree in a relevant field such as education, management, social sciences, or development studies (or bachelor's degree with 10 years of relevant experience).

Language
Excellent oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English are required.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior leadership, Government representatives, USAID, board of directors, consortia partners and the general public.

Supervisor Responsibilities
Directly supervises staff. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints, resolving problems, etc.

Safeguarding Policy
FH strives to provide an environment free from sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in all places where relief and development programs are implemented. FH holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment. FH expects its employees to maintain high ethical standards, protect organizational integrity and reputation, and ensure that FH work is carried out in honest and fair methods, in alignment with the Heartbeat Values and safeguarding and associated policies. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of employment.

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to midpoint of the range, based on relevant experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances.

BENEFITS OFFERED

Insurance - Health, Disability, Life
Paid holidays, vacation, & sick leave
Pension, available on first of month after date of hire
Professional development

An application and CV / resume through our online system is required. Click here to access our system.