Job Vacancies at ACDI/VOCA

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party for an upcoming youth activity in Ghana funded by USAID. The program will improve the socioeconomic status of youth in northern Ghana through youth-led and youth-serving organizations, among others, to generate cross-sectoral, positive youth development outcomes, allowing them to make better life decisions and influence policy. The program will give special attention to the needs of girls, the disabled, and other disadvantaged groups.

The Deputy Chief of Party will support the Chief of Party in attaining project goals and objectives by providing technical advice and direction when appropriate. They will lead the development and implementation of the program’s strategy and ensure the integration of youth into all program activities. The program is anticipated to start in late 2023 and this position is based in Tamale, Ghana.

• Support the development of strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and other deliverables in line with USAID guidelines using a positive youth development (PYD) approach
• Provide input into the performance monitoring plan to measure success and validate causal model assumptions
• Provide technical assistance and oversight to program staff and partner in PYD, meaningful youth engagement, private sector engagement, and local capacity building approaches.
• Provide overall technical oversight and supervision of Result team leads, including in themes like youth economic opportunities, education, health care, civic engagement, and conflict-sensitivity.
• Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools, and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation
• Prepare reports and documents to USAID, national governments, ACDI/VOCA home office, and partner organizations
• Work closely with subawardees and private sector associations in the region to provide technical and organizational assistance
• Ensure synergies among technical assistance and activities
• Provide strategic oversight of and support the development of PYD approaches, activities, and work plans, in close collaboration with local partners and stakeholders
• Develop partnerships with local organizations, private sector companies, and government agencies to leverage resources and create opportunities for youth
• Represent ACDI/VOCA with partners and key stakeholders; maintain positive relationships with USAID, local authorities, and the country office team
• Serve as the activity’s principal point of contact for procedural and substantive matters in the absence of the Chief of Party

Requirement 

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, international development, youth development, education, economics or relevant field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience demonstrating increasing responsibility leading programs of similar scope and size.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical and operational teams on youth-focused programs, including experience in youth workforce development, PYD, education, or related field strong preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience managing a team and complex projects.
• Proven experience coordinating with other donors, government institutions, and private sector organizations, effectively interacting with municipal government counterparts and local organizations.
• Experience leading teams and projects with meaningful youth engagement approaches, including youth leadership opportunities and youth involvement in design, implementation, and MEL processes.
• Experience working in Ghana strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English required.

Ghanaian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

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ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Chief of Party for an upcoming youth activity in Ghana funded by USAID. The program will improve the socioeconomic status of youth in northern Ghana through youth-led and youth-serving organizations, among others, to generate cross-sectoral, positive youth development outcomes, allowing them to make better life decisions and influence policy. The program will give special attention to the needs of girls, the disabled, and other disadvantaged groups.

The Chief of Party will provide overall management oversight and technical direction and will guide the entire program with a clear, consistent, and committed vision. They will monitor progress to ensure program goals and reporting requirements are met on time and within budget, complying with USAID and ACDI/VOCA policies and procedures. The program is anticipated to start in late 2023 and this position is based in Tamale, Ghana.

• Lead the overall strategic planning, implementation, and management of the program
• Develop an effective integrated approach of program components, participants, government actors, private sector partners, and other stakeholders
• Ensure quality control and timeliness of all deliverables
• Serve as principal liaison with USAID staff, institutions, and client country partners to exchange information and develop professional relationships
• Monitor program indicators, evaluate program results, and guide program implementation to achieve maximum impact
• Spearhead strategy development and utilize managerial tools and frameworks to improve the ability of the team to achieve project goals successfully and sustainably
• Facilitate the development of the program’s evolving theory of change, overseeing the implementation of the work plan and tracking progress towards core indicators and learning objectives
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout program implementation and operations while also promoting an evidence-based positive youth development approach
• Develop systems that support the collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) approach, including establishing a culture of adaptive management
• Administer the program’s financial oversight and procedures, ensuring compliance with established ACDI/VOCA's accounting principles and USAID regulations
• Identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments
• Represent ACDI/VOCA and the program to the public and donor community

Requirement 

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, international development, youth development, economics, education, business administration, or related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience leading youth-focused programs, including experience in workforce development, positive youth development, education, or related field.
• Previous experience as a Chief of Party for projects with similar magnitude and complexity is highly desired.
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID rules and regulations is required.
• Proven ability to collaborate successfully with host-country government officials, international donors, and private sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in program design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation of workforce development, education, and systems improvement.
• Proven leadership style that is inclusive and empowering to team members.
• Experience leading teams and projects with meaningful youth engagement approaches, including youth leadership opportunities and youth involvement in design, implementation, and MEL processes.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop collaborative, respectful, and high-impact relationships with communities, young people, youth-led and youth-serving organizations, government, private sector, and CSOs/NGOs.
• Experience working in Ghana strongly preferred.
• Fluency in English required.

Ghanaian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.