Deputy Chief of Party

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Programs – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact seeks an experienced Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the anticipated USAID/Ethiopia Building Resilience Against Violence in Ethiopia (BRAVE) Activity. The scope of the anticipated activity is not yet known but is expected to focus on building peace and social cohesion throughout the country. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award.

The DCOP will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) to oversee all programmatic aspects, ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget. The DCOP will oversee program implementation, compliance, financial management, security, operations and logistics. They will ensure rapid startup; day-to-day implementation of activities; and working with the COP, oversee the finance, grants, and administrative unit of the activity, as well as sub-grantees, sub-contractors, and consultants. The DCOP is responsible for training and mentoring staff on policies and procedures, donor regulations, new systems, and financial best practices is expected, as well as working closely with the COP and US-based personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management. The DCOP will be the primary point of contact with USAID in absence of the COP with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters related to the agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the COP, ensure high-quality technical programming through hands-on guidance and support grounded in the program’s strategic objectives and adhering to expected technical quality and reporting requirements.
• Participate in the project’s technical and programmatic design; represent Pact in negotiating with donors and partners.
• Help manage project planning, including the production of annual workplans; help guide and oversee the alignment of the budget to expected results, and review and approve annual budgets and quarterly reports.
• Support the implementation of a highly adaptive, context-driven programmatic approach.
• Ensure the cost-effective use of Pact resources.
• Ensure compliance with Pact and USAID requirements, policies, and regulations.
• Under the guidance of the COP, liaise with Ethiopian government officials.
• As relevant, manage all local grantmaking mechanisms, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and Pact policy; coordinate and/or conduct monitoring visits to grantee programs.
• Provide training and mentoring to partners to strengthen capacity for technical service delivery and compliance with donor rules and regulations.
• Under the guidance of the COP, help recruit and directly supervise project staff in line with Pact HR policies; Oversee the management and development of project office human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, an effective leadership team, and an organizational culture where Pact’s values are practiced.
• Deliver technical presentations on program achievements to implementing partners, civil society organizations, government officials, donor, and other organizations.
• Support with other tasks, as assigned by COP

Basic Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in social sciences, law, development studies or a relevant field.
• At least seven (7+) years of experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to democracy and governance or conflict mitigation activities; three (3) years of which shall have been in senior program management including direct supervision of professional and support staff.
• Technical expertise in peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, and/or social cohesion.
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of effectively managing a diverse team of employees and partners with conflict sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organizations, government institutions, private sector entities, and funders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving, negotiating, decision-making, and consensus building.
• Knowledge of the political, social, economic, and conflict context of Ethiopia.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English and Amharic (oral, writing, and reading) required.
• Ability to travel within Ethiopia and occasionally internationally, when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 allow.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences, laws, development studies, or a relevant field.
• Experience working on and leading teams for USAID contracts and/or cooperative agreements and/or knowledge of USAID rules, regulations, and policies.
• Demonstrated experience implementing highly adaptive programs, as well as applying systems-driven approaches and/or thinking and working politically (TWP) principles.
• Ethiopian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.