Deputy Chief of Party, Basic Education Activity - West Bank/Gaza

Save the Children is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (COP) for the four-year USAID-funded Basic Education Activity which will strengthen non-governmental education services for Palestinian children of Kindergarten through Grade 6 allowing them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. Under the Basic Education Activity, the consortium will work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, and civil society partners to strengthen non-governmental early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will report to the COP and will provide management support for all aspects of the project including, but not limited to, overseeing operations and finance, ensuring technical quality of program work and achieving results.  This position will adhere to USAID rules and regulations, ensure safeguarding of project personnel and property, meet reporting requirements and represent the project on behalf of the COP when required. The DCOP coordinates with USAID, key stakeholders, consortium members and government representatives. They will ensure strong operational collaboration between consortium members and will apply SCI tools and procedures in close interaction with Country Office support services. The role is oversee logistics, procurement, sub-awards, staffing, planning and administration operations and ensure their effectiveness, efficiency and compliance across all Activity levels and modalities. The DCOP will manage the implementation of key Activity interventions throughout target districts, oversee the work of Activity managers and local partners, and follow with the CO support services to have efficient operational support for the Activity team.

 

 

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

 

• Contribute to ensuring that the Activity is delivered according to USAID’s contractual requirements (i.e. all interventions and deliverables are completed within agreed timescale and budget, reports are submitted as per agreed schedules and any other requirements or criteria are fulfilled).
• Design and regularly update detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used by the team appropriately to monitor progress towards completion and achievement of Activity objectives and include any changes to USAID.
• Ensure that programmatic and financial reports for USAID, local government and Save the Children are prepared as required, ensuring these are of the highest quality and submitted in a timely manner.
• Be fully aware of USAID’s and Save the Children’s grant compliance regulations and processes and contributes to their dissemination among the Activity's team and local partners.
• Assist with the preparation and revision of realistic budgets, authorizing and monitoring expenditure in line with the budget, donor guidelines and Save the Children’s grant management and financial regulations.
• Lead sub-award processes, aligned with SCI and related reporting and monitoring requirements.
• Lead required operational adjustments – which may vary by region – as the implementation context evolves, in a proactive and consultative manner.
• Ensure Save the Children’s security management protocols and related logistics policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Manage the Activity’s accountability and feedback mechanism, and lead related operational adjustments based on suggestions and information received.
• Lead recruitment and retention planning and implementation, ensuring a sound HR base for the Activity; support partner HR processes and operations.
• Manage and motivate direct reports to achieve their work plan objectives, and to contribute to the achievement of the overall Activity goal.
• Maintain good working relationships with officials, government, USAID implementing partners and the international and local NGO community.
• Work with Save the Children’s and consortium partners to identify operational support needs of the Activity and ensure this support is provided.
• Attend and actively participate in Activity meetings and ensure a summary of progress and challenges are prepared and presented with follow-up actions as required.
• Closely monitor security dynamics in the project areas and report to the Country Director on significant changes in the security context.

• Master’s Degree in Education, international development or a relevant area of expertise required.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in senior leadership positions, ideally managing and implementing large and complex education and/or early childhood development programs in developing countries.
• Experience in managing field operations, maintaining relationships and managing sub-awards and partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders, including donors, implementing partners, and private sector entities.
• Knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations.
• Experience maintaining relationships with a broad range of stakeholders such as donors, implementing partners, non-governmental organizations and private sector entities.
• Strong verbal and written communication, analytical, interpersonal, organizational, and team management skills.
• English and Arabic language proficiency, including excellent Arabic and English communication skills and advanced writing capabilities.

• Experience in managing similar programs in the MENA region.