CARE seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)-Program for the anticipated USAID-funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Niger. This Activity aims to improve and sustain the food and nutrition security of vulnerable populations by addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition. The Activity will work at the individual, household, community, and institutional levels to address the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition and strengthen transformative opportunities. It is intended to strengthen resilience in populations vulnerable to acute, chronic hunger, and malnutrition; recurrent shocks, stresses, and crises; and to reduce the need for ongoing or future emergency food assistance.

The DCOP-Program will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and the DCOP Operations to ensure quality, efficiency, integrity, and learning throughout project duration. The DCOP Program will provide strategic oversight and technical guidance, address implementation challenges, and support integration of cross-sectoral activities reflective of the program’s theory of change, logical framework, monitoring and evaluation, and relevant work plans. This involves continually monitoring program activities against goals, ensuring efficiency in project staffing, and defining and using standard operating procedures. In collaboration with the COP and the DCOP Operations, the DCOP will be responsible for the successful performance of the project as defined in the program’s statement of work.

This activity is expected to be a five-year program in the $50-$100 million range.

This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. National and international candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Niamey.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the COP and DCOP Operations to provide overall leadership and technical direction to the project. Serve as acting COP in their absence.
• Provide technical leadership in the design, implementation, and monitoring of food security and livelihoods interventions in alignment with project objectives and USAID guidelines.
• Provide technical expertise in food security, nutrition, livelihoods and ensure that project activities adhere to industry best practices and standards.
• Oversee budget planning, monitoring, and reporting to ensure that project activities are executed within approved budgets.
• Promote gender equality and social inclusion in the design and implementation of program activities.
• Work closely with the M&E team to establish and implement a comprehensive M&E framework, ·oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting on performance indicators for tracking project progress and inform adaptive management.
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches, methodologies, and tools to enhance project impact and sustainability.
• Foster strong relationships with implementing partners, local communities, government counterparts, the private sector, to promote collaboration and synergies.
• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports to USAID, highlighting project achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Ensure that project activities align with the rules and regulations of USAID, the host country, and CARE’s policies and procedures.
• Supervise and mentor project staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Lead capacity-strengthening efforts for project staff, partners, and beneficiaries, ensuring the transfer of technical knowledge and skills.
• Lead periodic review and revision of the project Theory of Change, working closely with other Key Personnel and technical staff.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in a way that will maximize return on investment to participants and the donor.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in development studies, international relations, agriculture, economics, project management, business administration, economic development, or related field.
• 8-10 years of relevant senior experience in international development as Deputy Chief of Party, or in a senior management role on large $50 million or $10 million per year humanitarian or development projects.
• Experience managing USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts.
• Experience working in Niger or the Sahel region is preferred.
• Certification in project management (e.g PD Pro) desired
• Technical experience and in-depth understanding of one or more of the following sectors: food security, agricultural resilience, rural development, and sustainable livelihoods
• Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams.
• Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Fluency in French and English required (spoken and written).
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated inter-cultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI).
• Strong experience overseeing M&E systems for USAID projects including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and approaches preferred.
• Ability to travel and work within Niger as required.