Pact is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the USAID-funded Sudan Strengthening Youth and Women’s Civic Participation Program, an Associate Award under the Civil Society and Media-Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) Africa & Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Leader with Associates (LWA) Cooperative Agreement. The program aims to increase collaboration, sustainability, and resilience of civil society and independent media to advance the inclusion, participation and leadership of youth and women in Sudan. The activity will apply locally led, problem-driven, adaptive approaches. This is a five-year activity and the position is based in Khartoum, Sudan. This position is contingent upon donor approval.
The DCOP will work closely with and deputize the Chief of Party (COP) in all aspects of implementing the Associate Award. In particular, the DCOP will oversee all operational aspects, ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget. S/he will oversee program implementation, compliance, financial management, security, operations and logistics. Together with the COP, s/he will oversee a large portfolio of sub-grants and sub-contracts with both Sudanese and international organizations. S/he will ensure rapid startup; day-to-day implementation of activities; and oversee the finance, grants, and administrative units of the activity, as well as subgrantees, subcontractors, and consultants. S/he 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 COP and US-based personnel to ensure compliance with all donor regulations and effective and proactive management. S/he will be the primary point of contact with USAID in the absence of the COP with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters related to the agreement.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with COP to ensure effectiveday-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
- Oversee management of a large sub-award portfolio; ensure proper financial management of sub-grants and compliance with USAID rules and regulations
- Oversee the timely issuance, monitoring, and closeout of sub-grantee budgets and awards, in close alignment with the technical needs of the Activity
- 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 theaward; ensure timely financial reporting; oversee timely revisions and adoption to the budget in line with shifts in 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
- Support with other tasks, as assigned by COP
Basic Requirements
- Advanced degree in a relevant field such as business administration, finance, accounting, and international development
- At least nine years’ demonstrated experience in the successful operational management of USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts, with preference given to democracy and governance activities
- At least five years’ demonstrated experience in senior program management, with focus on financial compliance and directly supervising administrative, finance, and/or operations staff
- Demonstrable experience with management and/or administration for USAID cooperative agreements and/or contracts with large sub-awards, sub-contracts and rapid response funds components.
- 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
- 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
- Proven program leadership, adaptive management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
- Knowledge of political, economic, and social context of Sudan
- Experience working with civil society organizations or media actors in Sudan and/or in the Africa region.
- Proven ability to manage a team, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities
- Professional fluency in English (oral, writing and reading)
- Ability to travel within Sudan and occasionally internationally when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 allow.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with accounting software such as Serenic, Navigator, ERPs, ACCPAC, or others
- Understanding of the role of civil society and media in Sudan, as well as organizational and technical challenges they face in implementing international programs, or experience in civil society programming in an analogous context
- Experience in a leadership role withing a consortium of implementing partners
- Fluency in Arabic
- Sudanese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply
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.
At Pact, we recognize your impact, offer you opportunities and support your total well-being. Our comprehensive benefit offerings may include healthcare, retirement (8.8% to 13% based on service tenure) and savings plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections .
With the continuing impacts of COVID-19 around the world, we are taking action to protect the health and well-being of our colleagues and maintain the safety of the communities where we operate. Pact seeks an environment free from COVID-19 and prefers all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Attestation of vaccination status will be required for employment with Pact. Unvaccinated employees may be subject to additional health and safety requirements to include any federal, state and/or client restrictions.
