Job Description
CARE seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)-Technical for the anticipated USAID-funded Foundational Learning Activity in Pakistan. The purpose of the Foundational Learning Activity is to enhance student learning outcomes in reading and math and to prevent school dropout by enabling teachers, head teachers, and local education administrators to improve the quality of education.
The DCOP will report to and work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) to guarantee quality, efficiency, integrity, and learning throughout the project duration. They will provide strategic oversight and technical guidance to, and resolve challenges in the implementation of, cross-sectoral activities. This involves continually monitoring program activities against goals, ensuring efficiency in project staffing, and defining and using standard operating procedures. In collaboration with the COP, the DCOP will be responsible for the successful performance of the project as defined in the program’s statement of work.
This activity is expected to be a five-year program in the $10-$24.99 million range.
This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. National and international candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Islamabad.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with the COP to provide overall leadership and technical direction to the project. Serve as acting COP in their absence.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of project work plans, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives.
- Provide technical expertise in education system strengthening and particularly foundational learning and ensure that project activities adhere to industry best practices and standards.
- Oversee budget planning, monitoring, and reporting to ensure that project activities are executed within approved budgets.
- Supervise and mentor project staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
- Work closely with the M&E team to establish and implement a comprehensive M&E framework for tracking project progress and outcomes.
- Build and sustain relationships with key stakeholders including government counterparts, implementing partners, and beneficiaries.
- Prepare timely and accurate reports to USAID, highlighting project achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
- Ensure that project activities align with the rules and regulations of USAID, the host country, and CARE's policies and procedures.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in social science, education, development studies, business administration, or other related fields.
- 8-10 years of relevant senior experience in international development as Deputy Chief of Party, or in a senior management role on humanitarian or development projects.
- Technical experience and understanding of one or more of the following sectors: education systems, youth development, skills training, and capacity building.
- Experience managing USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts.
- Experience of working in Pakistan preferred.
- Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams.
- Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
- Fluency in English required (spoken and written).
- Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated inter-cultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
- Demonstrated commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI).
- Strong experience overseeing M&E systems for USAID projects including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and approaches preferred.
- Ability to travel within Pakistan as required and as security conditions allow.
