Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), Kenya/East Africa at ACDI/VOCA

• ​ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for a current Cross-Border Community Resilience Activity in Kenya/East Africa funded by USAID. This activity is a five-year initiative under the Regional Integration and Stronger Economies (RISE) IDIQ that makes important contributions to peacebuilding and social cohesion objectives of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The purpose of the activity is to enhance resilience in the cross-border clusters of Karamoja, Moyale, and Mandera. The activity works strategically and collaboratively with district- and county-level governments, civil society organizations, and private sector entities to build local capacity for addressing conflict, improving livelihoods, and reducing the risk of shocks. The identification of grantees is informed by a rigorous assessment process, and sequencing and coordinating interventions with ongoing programs in the regions.
• The DCOP is responsible for managing the programmatic aspects of the Cross-Border Community Resilience Activity, working collaboratively with staff and partners to design, implement, and monitor, and evaluate its interventions. They maintain strategic awareness of the challenges and opportunities for the activity and continuously refine processes to ensure the achievement of its objectives. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Chief of Party (COP) in providing programmatic leadership, technical direction, and quality assurance for the activity
• Manage all programmatic elements, collaborating closely with senior leadership and relevant stakeholders to continuously reflecting on activity progress, refining strategy, and applying evidence-based lessons to effectively implement workplans and achieve technical objectives
• Maintain strategic awareness of challenges and opportunities for the activity
• Oversee technical delivery of grants under contract. Ensure grant-funded interventions are aligned with and deliver on the technical objectives of the activity with adequate technical assistance. Supervise program staff in carrying out the full grants cycle, from solicitation to closeout
• Supervise staff all satellite office staff, ensuring technical harmonization among offices. Implement programmatic elements of the activity in accordance with Chemonics/USAID rules and regulations
• Collaborate with the COP and M&E/Communications Manager on the design and implementation of the activity’s MEL system and CLA processes
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the COP and USAID’s Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative for information on the status of activity implementation
• Works with the activity's senior management team and other relevant parties to support security of persons, information, and goods directly related to implementation of interventions
• Serves as Acting COP in their absence
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by the COP

QUALIFICATIONS

• ​​A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in peace and conflict, international development, or other relevant field is required. An advanced degree in a similar field is desired.
• ​A minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience in project design and management, preferably with respect to peacebuilding, stability and transition, or social cohesion, is required.
• ​A minimum of four (4) years of experience supervising culturally and socially diverse teams is required.
• ​Previous work experience in cross-border clusters or similarly complex operating environments is required.
• ​Demonstrated knowledge of USAID programming is required.
• ​Demonstrated knowledge of financial management, including budgeting, accounting, reporting, and procurement processes is required.
• ​Demonstrated knowledge of grant administration is required.
• ​Exceptional social acumen and an ability to forge strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including district/county government officials and representatives from non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, the private sector, and donor institutions is required.
• ​Exceptional written and oral communication skills are required. Experience with report writing is preferred.