Deputy Chief of Party – Programs

Deadline for applications: Friday, December14, 2012. Estimated start date: February 2013. This position is contingent upon funding.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Scope: IRC has been active in Pakistan since 1980, mobilizing and empowering Afghan refugees and earthquake-affected Pakistani communities to take a proactive role in the provision and development of essential services in a variety of sectors, including education, water and sanitation, reproductive health, women’s and children’s protection and empowerment, food security, and economic recovery and development.

IRC is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for Programs for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project to support Pakistani-led efforts to introduce and institutionalize improvements in reading instruction and reading assessment in grades one through five in public and private schools throughout Pakistan. The DCOP-Programs will work under the leadership of the Chief of Party (COP) and will support the COP in appropriate technical and coordination aspects of the project. In partnership with the Technical Directors, the DCOP will oversee all aspects of project implementation through direct supervision of its project components, including pre- and in-service teacher professional development, reading instructional and supplemental materials development, education management and information systems strengthening, and innovative ways of recreating a national culture of reading. The DCoP will provide support to the COP in representational, programmatic, strategic development and quality control duties; and liaise with USAID to respond to their informational, data and monitoring requirements. This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in April 2013.

Job Responsibilities:  Work with the COP to provide direct leadership, supervision and oversight of project components to ensure efficient and effective project implementation in accordance with the cooperative agreement, ensuring that the project addresses the needs of beneficiary populations in the most cost-effective manner;  Manage the overall project by planning, monitoring and evaluating project activities in accordance with the cooperative agreement;  Ensure the project components are effectively integrated through close supervision and collaboration;  Prepare, in coordination with key project staff, work plans with clear objectives and achievable benchmarks, reflecting long-term and short-term priorities;  Ensure strong and coordinated project monitoring and evaluation systems; overseeing the development and maintenance of systematic data collection, storage and dissemination tools, and support to partners on improving monitoring capacity and data quality;  Ensure that the cross-cutting components of gender sensitivity, local ownership, sustainability, flexibility of scale, partnering and coordination, and cultural and geographic considerations are promoted and adhered to throughout the project;  Provide effective guidance and oversight to technical members and short‐term technical consultants;  Continue fruitful and productive relationships with appropriate Government of Pakistan ministries, local organizations, private sector partners, project partners, and members of civil society through regular contact and meetings;  Ensure strong project partner relationships, based on mutual respect, open communication, inclusion and accountability, incorporating effective guidance and oversight to consortium partners;  Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility;  Manage and evaluate project staff performance;  Work with all key project staff to identify technical assistance needs and arrange for the provision of assistance;  Liaise with USAID to respond to informational, data and monitoring requirements;  Represent the project and the organization in the public domain and ensure the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned;  Facilitate the sharing of lessons learned through relevant coordination bodies and international fora to improve coverage and impact of program activities within provinces and project constituents.

Requirements: • Master’s degree from an accredited university in education or social sciences, or additional experience in similar types of programs; • At least 12 years of relevant technical experience in program management in developing countries. Experience with projects supporting teacher training, reading instructional and supplemental material development, or education system strengthening preferred; • Demonstrated exemplary diplomatic, management, communication, and interpersonal skills; • Previous experience with USAID-funded programs preferred; • Solid understanding of the Pakistani context, with previous experience in Pakistan or the region preferred; • Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders; • Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation;
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written; • Fluency in English is required, knowledge of Urdu is a plus.

How to apply:

Please apply online: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&r... .