Overview

Plan International is a girls’ rights organization that partners with adolescents and children around the world to overcome oppression and gender inequality, providing the support and resources that are unique to their needs and the needs of their communities. Working in more than 75 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan’s holistic, rights-based approach ensures that our project participants achieve their full potential with dignity, opportunity and safety. Our projects are designed in partnership with communities and strategically address systemic issues that often transcend sectors. As such, Plan demonstrates technical expertise across a range of intervention areas: education, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), protection and youth economic empowerment. In addition, Plan has a robust humanitarian response and disaster preparedness practice. With extensive local networks and community reach, Plan drives positive change through broad community participation, achieving sustainable results by actively engaging and providing services to individuals, families, communities and governments. Plan International has been working in Malawi since 1994.

 

Plan International is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Secondary Success Activity. The DCOP will support the Chief of Party in the management of the project. The DCOP will be in charge of providing managerial leadership including financial management, project implementation, and administration and grants management. The DCOP will oversee coordination of field operations, provide support in the management of sub-grantees, and ensure that activities meet USAID and Plan standards. The DCOP will work closely with the project leadership and other technical experts, as well as Plan Malawi technical advisors, to build on current best practices in country and achieve project outcomes. This position is contingent upon award of the project by the donor.

Responsibilities:

  • Provides day-to-day operational oversight and technical leadership of the Activity.
  • Manages, in coordination with the COP, partner and key stakeholder relationships and works with implementing partner organizations, the donor, and various stakeholders.
  • Oversees the development of project reports, annual work plans, and other documents as required by USAID and the Government of Malawi.
  • Maintains a working knowledge of project budgets and expenditure and assists the Finance and Operations Manager to set up and implement appropriate systems for project financials.
  • Serves as Acting Chief of Party when the Chief of Party is unavailable.
  • Ensures compliance in reporting to USAID, Plan International, Plan US National Office (USNO) and Government of Malawi counterparts.

Requirements:

  • Minimum eight (8) years of experience in education or related technical areas.
  • Minimum five (5) years of experience in senior management or leadership positions.
  • Masters’ degree in international development or another relevant field.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of USAID project management including USAID rules and regulation and reporting requirements.
  • Work experience in Education, specifically at the secondary school level, including building on existing structures to increase the availability, access, and/or quality of education, including remedial skills, lifeskills, health and leadership, mentorship, and financial inclusion.
  • Demonstrated knowledge about gender and development, and demonstrated experience and proficiency in managing programs that mainstream gender.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement projects with rigorous timelines and deliverables and to track program quality through donor approved monitoring and evaluation systems.
  • Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, such as local NGOs, education authorities, government officials, donor representatives, local and international staff.
  • Work experience on USAID funded projects.
  • Work experience in Malawi or East Africa strongly preferred.
  • Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

 

Plan is a diverse and inclusive organization. Candidates of all genders and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.