Deputy Chief of Party – Programs Implementation Director Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director

Overview:

DT Global is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party – Programs for an anticipated USAID program in East Africa. The anticipated program seeks to strengthen conditions that support peace and prosperity through increasing engagement of civil society actors, improving access to timely, accurate information, and encouraging citizens to model democratic behaviors. The Deputy Chief of Party – Programs (DCOP-Programs) will work closely with and report to the Chief of Party (COP) to provide technical oversight for the program. The DCOP-Programs will lead program development and provide oversight by supervising Program Teams, working closely with members of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and USAID on strategy matters, and members of the Grants Management Unit (GMU, inclusive of Learning, Grants and Procurement teams) to oversee activity design and implementation. The DCOP-Programs will ensure all actions and interventions adhere to USAID and DT Global technical guidance and align with global best practices, including the training of staff as required.  Finally, the DCOP-Programs will keep the COP regularly informed on all programmatic matters, and assist the COP in meeting various technical and USAID deliverables as requested.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

In coordination with the SMT and USAID lead strategic development through political analysis, as well as coordination and feedback with relevant stakeholders and programmatic staff
Oversee the program team, inclusive of the Implementation Director and Regional Program Managers, to identify potential assistance recipients, and work with them to design and develop grant concepts and activities, under the overall direction of the Chief of Party, USAID and other program representatives.
Support the professional development of team members by providing regular feedback and support, including completing bi-annual performance appraisals.
Oversee appropriate grant design, ensuring that procedures are established and complied with for grant development, grant worthiness, grant implementation, management, monitoring, evaluation, and grant closing.
Support and coach RPMs in the strategic development of concepts that respond to the established program goals and objectives.
Demonstrate high level of understanding of USAID grant regulations and other considerations that may impact activity design and work closely with the Grants team and SMT to proactively address these prior to grant implementation. This may include doing activity write-ups and supporting due diligence processes.
Demonstrate high level of understanding of prior implementation challenges and actively incorporate lessons learned into the design of new activities. Proactively share lessons learned across the program and contribute to the development of new tools and knowledge that can be integrated into the program’s M&E function.  
Actively participate in the problem solving and troubleshooting throughout the grant cycle to assure implementation remains within the spirit of the original design concept. With program team, provide technical assistance to grantees and potential grantees as required, throughout the activity cycle, in coordination with other staff. 
Closely analyze the region’s rapidly changing environment on an ongoing basis, and contribute to rolling assessments, strategic review sessions, and recurring meetings.
Work closely with MEL team to coordinate monitoring of the activities under implementation to ensure that they meet activity and program objectives and produce regular site visit reports.
Coordinate with grants and procurement staff to provide sufficient written information for negotiation memos and all relevant contract documents as possible.
Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.
Serve as the COP and USAID’s primary point of contact for current information about the status of activity implementation in the absence of the COP;
In collaboration with local staff in-country, identify program opportunities and potential local partners;
Acts as COP when s/he is absent from the program and perform other duties as assigned by the COP;
Ensure quality assurance and quality control methods in a consistent and transparent manner for all contracted tasks and functions and ensure their compliance with USG and DT Global rules and regulations.

Education & Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; Master’s degree in relevant field preferred. 
At least seven years of relevant experience, including experience with donor-funded programs, preferably USAID with demonstrated supervisory experience
Demonstrated strong managerial, mentorship, and supervisory skills, preferably with culturally and geographically diverse staff, is highly desired
Experience working in developing countries is required, preferably complex, fast-paced, dynamic, and challenging field operations
Demonstrated ability to strategically analyze national, regional, and local politics and guide program staff in creatively designing grants that relate to the current political environment
Strong experience with concept and activity design as well as the development, management, and implementation of grant activities, preferably including both community-level and national-level activities
Thorough experience and understanding of administering grants and small grants programs, and the ability to ensure activities are appropriately implemented, monitored, evaluated, and closed-out as required
Experience in working with local organizations on project design, assessing technical and programmatic capacities; implementation of activities preferred
Experience and/or good understanding of donor organizations
Ability to effectively use computer software and MS Office application applications
Proven problem solver with demonstrated experience identifying creative solutions to advance program and activity objectives
Ability to cope with and function effectively in high stress and fluid environments
Fluency in written and oral English is required
Demonstrated understanding of program design and monitoring and evaluation for conflict prevention and transition programs
Experience working in East African countries undergoing transition is highly desired, but not required
Experience with remote management in transition environments is highly desired, but not required

Core Competencies:

TEAMWORK:  Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.   
COMMUNICATION:  Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts. 
ADAPTABILITY:  Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment. 
CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED:  Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner. 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:  Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly. 
PROFESSIONALISM:  Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal. 

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