Deputy Chief of Party, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) 2030 at IREX

Position Summary

IREX seeks qualified Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) candidates to support the premiere Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This program will empower and connect young African leaders as they spur inclusive economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across sub-Saharan Africa. In this role, the DCOP will provide leadership and support for the COP, including coordination with team managers and funder on project timeline, deliverables and reporting. When needed the DCOP will serve in the role as acting Chief of Party, overseeing all program activities and a project staff.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Support the COP in strategic planning and serve as the Acting COP in the COP’s absence.
• Provide technical direction for program activities, directly and guiding supervising staff to effectively and efficiently deliver an expanded Pan-African youth leadership development model that leverages prior gains while innovating to achieve three long-term transformational outcomes: 1) Strengthen leadership skills among young African leaders to meet the needs of their communities, countries, and the continent; 2) Empower leaders and create youth networks to shape the development of their communities to promote good governance, expand economic prosperity, peace and security, and inclusive and equitable health, education, and livelihoods; 3) Harness and leverage the contributions of diverse partners to harmonize development efforts, increase the impact and reach of Pan-African youth leaders, and catalyze sustainable economic growth and opportunities between the U.S. and Africa.
• Provide a vision, develop, and lead the program’s private sector engagement strategy, supervising and advising staff to identify opportunities for engagement.
• Establish and maintain effective relations and coordination with USAID, other donors, a wide range of YALI stakeholders, and implementing partners.
• Work closely with program staff to ensure successful day-to-day management and collaboration of program activities across program components, including overseeing activities, leading meetings, and providing guidance and coaching to program staff across regions.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting to ensure the program adapts as needed to meet objectives and learning is acquired and shared broadly to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout program implementation while also promoting an evidence-based positive youth development approach.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Kenyan, Ghanaian, Senegalese, or South African country citizenship or residency with work authorization in these countries is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; master’s degree highly preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience required.
• Successful track record of at least five (5) years supervising, managing, and implementing USAID-funded projects.
• Technical expertise in youth leadership development; youth leadership training and professional development; network development; alumni engagement; positive youth development, and/or diverse partner engagement.
• Proven track record of productive collaboration with the private sector; experience developing and delivering a private sector engagement strategy.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work independently as well as lead and coach large and diverse teams towards a shared vision and goals while following principles of Positive Youth Development and instilling diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior officials in government, with youth-led organizations, civil society organizations, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural communication skills, and organizational skills.
• Professionalism in written correspondence and report writing, excellent presentation and oral communication skills; able to produce final draft quality communication and documents in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated understanding of sub-Saharan Africa and recent developments in the region.
• Experience managing complex, multi-region, USAID or other USG grants and contracts, strongly preferred.