Deputy Chief of Party

The IRC began working in Mali in 2012 in response to the political crisis. The IRC has provided lifesaving assistance to over half a million displaced Malians displaced by conflict and facing severe food shortages. The crisis in Mali has also led to a collapse of basic public services such as health care and education.

To help the country recover, the IRC is focusing our efforts by providing emergency relief; supporting village savings and loan associations and income-generating activities, especially for women; providing clean drinking water, water treatment kits, water-point rehabilitation, and health care supplies; providing vital health care services and training community health workers; providing children and parents with psychosocial support to help them heal from trauma; and training teachers and reopening schools for children affected by conflict.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated multi-million dollar ($25M – $49.99M) USAID community-based education activity in Mali. The project will improve early-grade reading and math skills of young learners (equivalent to grades 1-4) in the regions of Koulikoro, Sikasso, Segou, and Bamako District with a focus on improving the quality of instruction, boosting community demand, and broadening safe, equitable formal and non-formal education services. The end goal is expanded access to educational pathways and improved reading and math outcomes, especially for girls and marginalized children.

The DCOP will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party (COP) in management of staff, capacity building and stakeholder engagement, and overseeing the project’s operations. S/he will coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting of operational management activities (e.g. procurement, grants management, and finance). The position is based in Bamako, Mali.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Responsibilities

• Ensure project delivery meets best practice standard operational policies and procedures for impact and compliance.

• Provide financial and operational management that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor.

• Oversee development, delivery, capacity building, and monitoring of subgrants.

• Oversee management of all procurement activities to ensure smooth and efficient implementation of project activities.

• Provide oversight of administrative teams.

• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations.

• Support reporting to USAID through formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports, etc.

• Assist the COP in maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.

• Represent the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned.

• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements

• Minimum seven years of experience in managerial roles on similar programs in developing countries, including substantial supervisory experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, international development, business, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Significant previous experience working in conflict or crisis situations, preferably in West Africa and/or Mali.

• Significant previous experience managing operations for similar programming in conflict or crisis situations.

• Previous experience as DCOP of USAID-funded programs is preferred

• Substantial experience managing subgrantees required.

• Experience with projects designed to increase equitable access, build Ministry of Education capacity, and recovery of education systems preferred.

• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience scaling up activities of similar scope and in similar contexts.

• Demonstrated success incorporating innovation and participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming into implementation.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• The candidate must be fluent in English and French.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.