Deputy Chief of Party

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department

Programs – Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact is seeking an experienced Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to oversee the implementation, compliance, financial management, security, operations and logistics of a USAID-funded program in El Salvador. The DCOP will work closely with the Chief of Party to oversee all programmatic aspects, ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget. They will ensure day-to-day implementation of activities; and working with the Chief of Party, oversee the finance, grants, and administrative units, including in their work with subgrantees, subcontractors, and consultants. The DCOP is responsible for training and mentoring staff on policies and procedures, donor regulations, new systems, and financial best practices, as well as working closely with the Chief of Party and US-based personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management. They will be the primary point of contact with USAID in absence of the Chief of Party with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters related to the agreement.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with COP to ensure, effective day-to-day management of Activity to ensure deliverables are met and support staff adhere to plans and deadlines
• Ensure rapid startup of the Activity, as well as during key periods of transition, including supporting with recruitment of all necessary Activity staff
• Along with COP, ensure that the Activity is implemented with a one-team approach, ensuring that all operational and programmatic coordination among consortium partners is streamlined, consistent, and conducive to a single, coherent program
• Oversee procurement, logistics, budget and financial reporting, operations, and security
• Ensure compliance with donor, organizational, legal, and other requirements, policies, and/or procedures, including training and mentoring staff to ensure compliance at all levels
• Identify potential areas of financial and compliance vulnerability and risk and develop or implement corrective action plans to resolve problematic issues
• Ensure that all financial management and procurement is conducted in compliance with Pact policy and U.S. government regulations
• Ensure that appropriate financial record-keeping policies and practices are established and maintained, in line with organizational and U.S. government requirements
• Manage and monitor the Activity’s budget; track and analyze all costs incurred under the award; ensure timely financial reporting; oversee timely revisions and adaptions to the budget in line with shifts in Activity
• Oversee the timely issuance, monitoring, and closeout of sub-grantee budgets and awards, in close alignment with the technical needs of the Activity
• Contribute to effective monitoring, evaluation, work planning and reporting of program activities
• Mentor and supervise finance, operations, administration and other staff engaged in the activities under DCOP’s scope of responsibility
• Significantly contribute to the Activity’s efforts to meet cost share requirements
• Serve as legal representative of Pact in El Salvador
• Maintain a communication board and a job board ensuring all legal postings; job vacancies and staff communications
• Serve as Cost Center Owner and perform the following tasks:

1. 1. Ensure that all legal documents related to their budget are signed correctly per the Signature Authority Policy;
   2. Approve workforce planning during annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting and approving access to timesheet codes for the project;
   3. Approve expenses related to subawards, procurement, travel, and other project expenses;
   4. Allocate expenditures to line items within the budget and ensuring proper coding of expenses;
   5. Respond to issues arising from internal and external audits;
   6. Report any suspicion or actual incident of fraud to Ethics and Compliance office;
   7. Support with other Cost Center Owner tasks
   8. Support with other tasks, as assigned

Basic Requirements

• Advanced degree in a relevant field such as business administration, finance, accounting, and international development
• At least eight (8) years demonstrated experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with preference given to democracy and governance activities
• At least three (3) years of in senior program management, with focus on financial compliance and directly supervising administrative, finance, and/or operations staff
• Prior experience in policy advocacy or in capacity development
• Demonstrable experience with management and/or administration for USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts, including experience managing sub-awards, rapid response funds, OTI funds
• Knowledge of USAID rules, regulations and policies, particularly financial reporting and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated experience implementing highly adaptive programs, including developing and implementing program strategies in complex and evolving operating environments, in close coordination with multiple stakeholders, including implementing partners, civil society organizations, and funders
• Prior experience in awarding and managing grants to local organizations
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with civil society partners, government institutions and private sector partners
• Ability to compile and prepare financial and budget data in-line with USG rules and regulations; analyze budget trends and monitor funding levels across multiple accounts
• Knowledge of political, economic, and social context of El Salvador
• Specialized Knowledge/Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be comfortable offering professional presentations in Spanish and English
• Proven program leadership, adaptive management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Proven ability to manage a team, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities
• Fluency in Spanish
• Working proficiency of English (oral, writing and reading)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with accounting software such as Serenic, Navigator, ERPs, ACCPAC, or others
• Strong understanding of the role of civil society and media in El Salvador, as well as organizational and technical challenges they face in implementing international programs
• Experience in a leadership role withing a consortium of implementing partners
• Fluency in English (oral, writing and reading)

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.