Deputy Chief of Party, Incentivizing Learning Activity – Liberia

Position Title: Deputy Chief of Party, Incentivizing Learning Activity – Liberia

Job Level: Deputy Chief of Party

Employee Type: Full-Time Regular

Supervisor Title: Chief of Party

Location: Monrovia, Liberia

Division: International Programs

Summary

Save the Children is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party for the five-year USAID-funded Incentivizing Learning Activity program in Liberia. The program is focused on ensuring access to education to vulnerable and underserved school-age children in order to incentivize enrollment, attendance, and learning and addressing food insecurity needs that have become more acute as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary purpose of the Activity is to create a foundation for improved learning outcomes by incentivizing school enrollment and reducing absenteeism, particularly for underserved and vulnerable children via the provision of school meals, targeted financial incentives, community and parental engagement, and social and behavior change communication. Through a timely provision of meals, school feeding can reduce short-term hunger among students and improve their ability to concentrate and increase attendance. The Activity complements other investments in education by fostering the right conditions for improved learning outcomes.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) reports directly to the Chief of Party and ensures high quality technical implementation of proven interventions that meet stated goals and reporting requirements. This role will assume the responsibilities of the COP in their absence. The DCOP coordinates with USAID, key stakeholders, implementing partners and government representatives. This role also manages the technical implementation of key program activities throughout the targeted districts, and oversees the technical program managers and collaborates with all key stakeholders and partners. The direction of this program will be led by this role in conjunction with the project team as well as the donor and government priorities. The position will be located in Monrovia.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• In collaboration with the COP, ensure that the program is delivered according to the contractual requirement with the donor and government of Liberia, i.e. that all activities and deliverables are completed within the agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled.
• Work with program staff and Save the Children technical team based in the country office to identify the tactical support needs of the program and ensure this support is provided.
• Provide leadership and strategic vision in all technical aspects (food security, school feeding, resilience, community engagement, financial incentives, and social and behavior change communication) of program implementation, development, and staff management. Ensure that program implementation is responsive to all communities and partners.
• Design and update detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used appropriately to monitor progress towards completion and achievement of program objectives.
• Ensure all program work is of the highest technical quality and in line with national and global best practices for improved school enrollment, SBCC and school feeding activities.
• Ensure that programmatic reports for donors, government and Save the Children are prepared as required, ensuring these are of the highest quality and submitted in a timely manner to the donor. Be fully aware of the grant compliance regulations of Save the Children as well as USAID.
• Assist with the preparation and revision of a realistic budget, authorizing and monitoring expenditure in line with the budget, donor guidelines and Save the Children’s grant management and financial regulations.
• Guide partners in the preparation of annual plans for funding, commodities and human resources. Closely monitor burn rate and guide the managers to ensure the burn rate has been achieved according to the approved plan. Manage and motivate direct reports to achieve their work plan objectives based on technical expertise, and to contribute to the achievement of the overall program goals.
• In collaboration with the technical teams, establish systems and processes for the periodic review of implementation across the project implementing areas and facilitate necessary mid-course corrections.
• Maintain good working relationships with officials, government ministries, implementing partners and the international and local NGO community.
• Support and coordinate with the M&E team in monitoring implementation, analysis progress and use service statistics and other data for decision-making and improving program performance.
• Monitor country-level activities, identify challenges and develop appropriate reporting and results of project activities to the COP including progress and annual reports.
• Attend and actively participate in periodic program meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges are prepared and presented with follow-up actions as required.

Required Qualifications

• Post-graduate education (Master’s Degree), and over seven years of experience in education, health or related field and demonstrated experience in the management of large, community-based and interdisciplinary teams; Or, a Bachelor’s Degree with extensive experience in implementing USG grants for multiple years and demonstrated experience of technical assistance to project teams, especially education, health, nutrition, or related field

• Extensive experience managing education, behavior change, and/or water, sanitation programs with a preferred focus on school-based programming

• Experience developing Social Behavior Change strategies, tools and activities

• Experience of collaborative engagement with national and local government agencies preferably in Liberia

• Strong leadership skills, proven experience in strategic planning, overseeing large programs and ability to effect and manage change effectively

• Experience working in consortiums coordinating with INGOs, national NGOs and government agencies and working with local partners

• Excellent people management and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead

• Experience working on USAID projects and proven familiarity with and understanding of USAID regulations, policies, procedures and reporting mechanisms

• Fluent oral and strong written English communications skills are required.

About Save the Children

No matter your role when you join Save the Children, each and every day you will challenge yourself to devote your skills, talent and expertise to changing the world for kids. It’s an ambitious goal, and a meaningful one no matter how you see yourself professionally: an accountant, a writer, a data analyst, a teacher, a driver, a designer, or any one of the hundreds of dozens of roles we’re looking to fill every day.

You see, Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

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