Deputy chief of party | Chisinau, Moldova | 2023

Chemonics seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the USAID Moldova Future Technologies Activity (FTA). This is a key personnel position based in Chisinau, Moldova with an anticipated start date of on/about February 2023, depending on candidate availability, through the life of the activity in June, 2026. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for technology, innovation and making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Working with a large network of diverse local partners, FTA uses a global market systems framework to build the local digital and innovation ecosystems, facilitate nation-wide digital transformation and technology adoption, and build capacity for sustainable, systemic progress. FTA co-creates systemic interventions with Moldovan and international partners to spur the development of the digital, creative, and green economy, and integrate Moldova’s key economic sectors in the EU market, including digital single market, with a focus on digitalization, innovation, and sustainability standards. FTA focuses on Moldova’s digital and industrial sectors, information, and communication technology (ICT), light manufacturing, innovation engineering, creative services, digital media sectors. FTA supports Moldova’s government in its efforts to build a streamlined e-government and e-economy, focusing on cross-border ecommerce, digital public services, e-business, SME digitalization, tech startups. FTA continues USAID’s legacy of sector competitiveness programming, building on lessons learned, adaptions, relationships, and local partner trust achieved by previous programs over the past 15 years.

As a member of the leadership team, the Deputy Chief of Party will support the Chief of Party in overseeing the quality, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness of implementation to ensure that FTA meets its objectives and results. The Deputy Chief of Party works with sector leads and forms and manages intervention teams. The Deputy Chief of Party also performs Chief of Party tasks as delegated.

Responsibilities:

• Supports the Chief of Party in overseeing the quality, cost-effectiveness, technical direction, management oversight and timelines implementation to ensure that FTA meets its objectives and results
• Provides technical input and oversight of all project focus areas as needed, specifically with regard to technology adoption and digital transformation across the FTA sectors
• Ensures that all activities maximize gender and social inclusion
• Builds capacity of local partners to facilitate market linkages and technical knowledge sharing with Western markets by fostering and strengthening association networks
• Improves domestic resource mobilization, enhances financial viability of Moldovan organizations and actors, and works with business associations, Centers of Excellence and Innovation, and similar institutions to improve their financial sustainability
• Promotes team collaboration and identifies synchronization opportunities across technical and functional teams
• Provides technical oversight of and serves as main technical point of contact for FTA’s five international subcontractors, managing technical contributions as relevant and applicable throughout the life of the activity
• Represents FTA to key public and private sector stakeholders and beneficiaries, and to USAID or other donors as delegated by the chief of party, and supports overall client management in collaboration with the chief of party
• Liaises with international partners, other donor projects, and other organizations to facilitate cooperation, collaboration, and partnerships
• Leads the preparation of all required donor reports and deliverables including monthly reports, annual work plans, and all periodic project progress reports
• Contributes to CLA efforts by reviewing and assessing work plan activities periodically with the leadership team to ensure progress and achievement of desired results and impact
• Oversees FTA’s communications team and project event management
• Serves as acting Chief of Party when Chief of Party is on leave or away from post
• Performs Chief of Party tasks as delegated

Required Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of experience designing and managing technical assistance activities focused on sector competitiveness development, integration with international markets, private enterprise engagement, and organizational development
• Demonstrated experience in at least three of the following: private sector engagement, investment promotion, digital transformation and new technology adoption, access to finance, workforce development, association capacity building, marketing, trade and e-commerce, advocacy
• A track record of working collaboratively with host-country government and private sector entities, including business, associations and other organizations
• Strong analytical skills, demonstrated leadership skills, and ability to take initiative
• Understanding of the market systems approach and adaptive management principles
• Ability to conceptualize, outline, perform, and direct the research and writing of technical documents
• Experience in Europe and Eurasia (E&E); awareness of the Moldovan and regional economic and political climate and development challenges
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and leadership skills and demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff
• At least a master’s degree or equivalent experience in business, economics, or a related field
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Demonstrated strong writing and oral presentation skills in English; Romanian and/or Russian language is a plus