Deputy Chief of Party – USAID/Burma All Youth Learning (AYL) Activity

FHI 360 is a global development organization, with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our team of professionals includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment and research. FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices with more than 4000 employees in the United States and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at all levels and our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to have a lasting impact on the people, communities and countries we serve by improving the lives of millions. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for an upcoming USAID-funded opportunity in Burma entitled All Youth Learning (AYL). Given the current political situation in Burma, the position’s location will be determined and assigned based on security. Potential locations may include Burma or Thailand. This position is contingent upon successful award and final USAID approval of the candidate.

Project Description:

The anticipated USAID/Burma All Youth Learning (AYL) Activity is a 5-year activity that will seek to expand educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth (10-29 years old) to receive quality foundational and livelihoods-oriented education and training, with a particular focus on Burma’s out-of-school and conflict-affected youth, and to provide other necessary and relevant wrap-around support. The project will strengthen the capacity of education and training institutions and organizations to provide relevant, marketable skills training and consider the enabling environment for youth employability and work to forge linkages with businesses, industry, and local employers in areas where youth reside to ensure that training and skills development are relevant and respond to actual employer needs. AYL will also strengthen the enabling environment for youth to use educational assets and build leadership skills. The project will support non-state education systems and providers in their work to offer education to disadvantaged youth and aim to strengthen their capacity to educate youth as well. Ensuring equity and diversity of beneficiaries and devising strategies to reach the most disadvantaged and marginalized will be top activity priorities.

Position Description:

The DCOP is responsible for development and implementation of safe, quality learning activities that will benefit youth affected by Burma’s fragile context including, but not limited to, on-going and severe communitarian violence, lack of access to safe learning spaces, economic insecurity, and lack of access to quality and relevant learning opportunities. The DCOP is deeply aware of the pressures youth face when accessing learning opportunities in Burma and understands the interplay of socio-politics and the education system in Burma. The DCOP will work closely across education stakeholders, both inside and outside of the project and with the education cluster and counterparts. The DCOP will ensure that program components are evidence based, responsive to changing needs, conflict sensitive, and coordinated with other FHI 360 activities in the region. The DCOP’s role will have a major focus on achieving results in all areas and ensuring that sub-awardees are able to deliver services on time and, with assistance from the Finance team, on budget while ensuring cohesive activities across partners and result areas. The DCOP will participate and engage in technical meetings and maintain positive relationships with donors, INGO partners, and sub-awardees. The DCOP will oversee technical specialists and, at times, act as the Chief of Party.

Job Summary/Responsibilities:

• Coordinates closely with the Chief of Party (COP) on all technical matters; provides support to the overall leadership and management of the project, including budget formulation and oversight
• Leads project interventions relating to development and implementation of AYL learning programs, capacity building of education and training providers and strengthening the enabling environment so that youth have opportunities for leadership
• Coordinates technical support to non state education and training officials and providers
• Co-coordinates planning processes to ensure strategic and cohesive program direction
• Oversees and ensures excellence of technical outputs (activities, strategies and deliverables) of all implementing partner organizations
• Develops and implements or ensures implementation of local partner technical capacity building activities
• Provides leadership to technical staff and ensures clear roles and responsibilities; maintains clear lines of communication with project team members
• Collaborates with in-country technical advisors and regional and US-based technical staff to ensure the project is implemented according to organization and industry best practices, program framework, and regulations
• Serves as project representative in the absence of the COP

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Master’s degree preferred or higher in education, international development, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of experience supporting education projects in developing or conflict affected countries. Experience working in Burma required.
• Experience working on an Education Cluster and in conflict-affected contexts, including those in fragile socio-political environments.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing educational programming that is flexible and responsive to changing needs and security.
• Experience providing accelerated or remedial learning programs, learning programs for out-of-school youth or youth in conflict-affected settings, livelihood-oriented education and training, or formal or non-formal post-primary education services.
• Must have at least five years of progressively more responsible supervisory experience that involves direct leadership of professional and support staff as well as oversight and evaluation of staff performance.
• Demonstrated success in managing sub-contracts/sub-grants with international consortiums, local organizations, and community-based groups.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) activities and experience working with MEL counterparts to measure, learn from and adapt programming.
• Experience managing large scale activities including conducting strategic planning, work planning, contingency planning and report writing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of United States Government rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as they relate to project and program compliance and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly challenging political context with multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors.
• Ability to forecast needs in the education sector as it relates not only to student learning but with regard to civic stability.
• Fluency in English required.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

We offer competitive compensation and a package of exceptional benefits. Please visit the FHI 360 Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers for a list of all open positions.

FHI 360 is an employer with equal opportunity and affirmative action. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status in policies, programs, or activities.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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