The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) works in tandem with the Chief of Party (COP) ,to provide technical and administrative leadership in the implementation of activities in the field provinces of Nampula and Zambezia, to provide quality control for the program’s technical outputs, and to support the COP in representing the program on high-level provincial level working groups, in donor and Ministry meetings (at the national and sub-national levels), and in other fora where the program’s goals, aims, and investments must be explained.

He/she will be based in Nampula City, and will provide managerial support for the program offices in both Nampula and Quelimane. He/she reports directly to the COP, and is the only member of staff authorized by USAID to act administratively or financially on the COP’s behalf. The DCOP contributes to the timely submission of all required deliverables and reports, and dedicates his/her efforts to ensuring that the contract is implemented according to the technical stipulations in this statement of work and in conformity with the agreed-upon, finalized work plan.

Reporting & Supervision:

The DCOP will report directly to the COP and will be considered Acting COP in his/her absence. The DCOP will also supervise the Provincial Coordinators in Nampula and Zambezia.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work under the leadership of the COP to support the technical team in the implementation of programs to improve the early grade reading and writing skills of public school students through enhanced school leadership and teacher training, improved instruction and assessment, community-based initiatives, and improved learning delivery systems;
• Provide technical direction and guidance to the technical team members, working with the COP to craft technically-sound training and early grade reading and writing programming;
• Support development of implementation strategies and work plans, and coordinate the day-to-day management of technical staff and program implementation in the field offices;
• Support timely report preparation, including quarterly and annual reports;
• Interact productively and collegially with program partners and stakeholders; and
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events in the absence of the COP.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

The DCOP position requires significant past management and administrative experience, technical knowledge of the education sector and of early grade reading, and experience interacting with and implementing education programming as one member of a complex, interrelated system of Ministry and donor representatives. The DCOP will have demonstrated ability to organize program work teams, to collaborate with a wide range of education stakeholders, and to liaise as needed with USAID and home office personnel to ensure the smooth implementation of the contract.

• A Master’s degree or higher in education, management, or a related social science field;
• At least 8 years of experience in relevant management, supervisory, technical experience working with programs that are of a similar scope and scale to this project is required;
• At least 5 years’ experience in the education sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is required; experience working in Southern or Eastern sub-Saharan Africa or Mozambique is preferred;
• Program/project management experience working with rural, ethno-linguistic underserved populations is required, as is demonstrated experience and knowledge of capacity building and professional development;
• Experience managing evidence-based early grade reading programming is preferred.
• Previous experience with USAID-funded programs required;
• Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills; and
• The candidate must be professionally proficient in written and spoken Portuguese (ILR 3+) and English (ILR 3+).

Local and regional candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.