Deputy Chief of Party - Programs, Ghana at Creative Associates International

Job Description

Creative seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for an anticipated USAID-funded project that seeks to strengthen accountability policies, systems and responsiveness of the Ministry of Education (MOE), Ghana Education Services (GES) and schools (School Management Committees and head teachers) for improved primary education service delivery and learning outcomes.

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 project activities, to provide quality control for the program’s technical outputs, and to support the COP in representing the program on high-level District, Region and national 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.  The DCOP contributes to the timely submission of all required deliverables and reports and dedicates his/her efforts to ensuring that the project is implemented according to the technical stipulations in this statement of work and in conformity with the agreed-upon, finalized work plan.

The DCOP will report directly to the COP and will serve as Acting COP in the COP’s absence. The DCOP will also supervise several technical leads.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities:

• The DCOP will oversee aspects of project implementation through direct supervision of its project components. S/he will lead the project’s program team, comprising of technical specialists.
• The DCOP will provide support to the Chief of Party (COP) in representational programmatic, strategic development and quality control duties; and liaise with USAID and government stakeholders to respond to their informational, data and monitoring requirements.
• Support the management and supervision of staff.
• Assist in the formulation of annual work plans, in cooperation with the Chief of Party, project staff, USAID, and the Ministry of Education (MOE).
• Develop and deliver reports and written documentation related to technical activities to be reported to USAID, including weekly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Represent the project in local, national, and international meetings and events in the absence of the COP.

Qualifications

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in education, business administration, economics, international development, social sciences, or a related field;
• At least eight (8) years of experience in areas of education policy formation and operationalization, social accountability and/or public administration, with at least 4 years in a managerial or team leader capacity;
• At least four (4) years of experience in the education or governance sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in Ghana;
• Past management and administrative experience, technical knowledge of the education sector, and experience interacting with and implementing education programming as one member of a complex, interrelated system of Ministry and donor representatives;
• 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 project;
• Demonstrated experience in management and oversight of programs that are of a similar scope, size, and complexity to this activity;
• Knowledge of USAID and understanding of the USAID Education Policy, implementation guidance and education related goals under the Ghana Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) is desirable;
• Professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English.