Niger: Deputy Chief of Party

Position Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party will act as the Chief of Party (COP) and serve as the principal point of contact for all procedural and substantive matters in the absence of the COP for a donor-funded activity-based project in the regions of Zinder and Maradi. S/he will provide oversight of program planning, monitoring and evaluation, training, activity implementation, deployment and development, and building and maintaining relations with government officials, donor personnel, sub-contractors, and partners to ensure program goals are met.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Deputy Chief of Party reports to the Chief of Party.

Expected Outcomes:

• Project activities will be properly sequenced, layered, and integrated with higher levels of government, donor programs, and commune interest and needs;
• Project staff will be able to articulate communal authorities and prepare regional representatives of the Nigerien government to understand their respective local governance role and responsibilities and engage in more effective intergovernmental communication and collaboration to address community needs;
• Program activities will be designed to facilitate municipal governments’ journey to self-reliance through improved ability to accountably plan, manage and execute budgets, and provide basic services;
• Citizens and local civil society actors know their rights, are better mobilized, and engage communal governance process, and exercise these rights through institutionalized and ad hoc mechanisms.

Primary Responsibilities:

• In close cooperation with the COP, builds and maintains relations with partner organizations, donor personnel, and vendors to ensure effective program implementation;
• Ensure coordination with other development actors, including other USAID-funded programs, and support the COP in organizing and conducting coordination meetings;
• Represent the project in relevant coordination/partnership meetings and in other forums as required;
• Develop synergies between the program, partners, and other programs financed by USAID, government authorities, and others working on good governance or resilience efforts in Niger;
• Oversee program planning, implementation and quality control;
• Supervise the development and implementation of activities, set targets and monitor timelines in order to ensure the timely completion and closure of activities;
• Advise and assist a team of Program Managers and Field Officers in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of program activities;
• Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with donor rules and regulations, and Creative’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure that project deliverables are submitted to the client on time and in accordance with donor procedures;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for procedural and substantive matters in the absence of the COP;
• Coordinate with HQ on all tracker, payment and activity issues and/or needs;
• Mentor staff and find ways to enhance staff development;
• Oversee implementation of project reporting and monitoring and evaluation activities; and
• Other duties as assigned by the COP.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Minimum of an advanced degree in social sciences, conflict resolution, law, political science, international development, or a related field;
• Minimum of six (6) years of demonstrated experience in the successful implementation of international development and local governance activities, preferably under a USAID contract or cooperative agreement – four (4) years of which shall have been in senior management including direct supervision of professional and support staff;
• Intimate familiarity with donor rules and regulations;
• Demonstrated experience building local and national institutional capacity to independently implement effective and accountable program activities;
• Experience coordinating sensitive program activities in coordination with high-level government officials, including embassy staff, the client, host country government ministries, and other key stakeholders; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.

Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.

Please apply on our website: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/CRE1010CREAI/JobBoard/b093422a-53ee-4b40-ae33-72edfc017f55/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=d28c081c-2722-4828-9d3d-160581b1444d