Creative Associates seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to lead the anticipated USAID-funded Zambia Foundational Learning Activity, which will support the delivery of foundational learning in the early grades to improve learning outcomes.

Position Summary:

The DCOP will be responsible for supporting the Chief of Party (COP) in the day-to-day management of the program, namely the coordination of project technical personnel and operational functions, including ensuring that financial reporting requirements are met and adherence to the operations of the project.

• Oversee aspects of technical and implementation/ programmatic aspects of the project;
• Provide support to the COP in representational duties as required; and liaise with USAID to respond to their informational, data and monitoring requirements;
• Manage the contractual implementation of program activities, to include oversight of procurement processes, development of service agreements, and milestone verification;
• Ensure project activities are implemented in accordance with established policies, procedures, and practices, in coordination with project and client staff;
• As needed, support the revision and/or creation of new project standard operating procedures for implementation of activities;
• Support the management and supervision of technical and implementation staff;
• Assist in the formulation of annual work plans, in cooperation with the COP, other project staff, and USAID;
• Develop and deliver reports and written documentation related to operations activities to be reported to USAID, including providing relevant inputs into weekly, quarterly and annual reports, and all relevant project deliverables.

• Master's degree in relevant field such as business administration, project management, or development studies; or bachelor’s degree with five additional years of relevant international development experience;
• Minimum 7 years of experience in progressively managing operations in support of donor-funded programming- education-focused and USAID-funded program experience strongly preferred;
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience managing diverse teams and supporting staff development;
• Excellent administrative skills, with demonstrated comprehensive understanding of USAID and US Government rules and regulations;
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills with international donor policies and procedures relative to subawards and sub-contracts, financial management, procurement processes, and management systems;
• Capacity to support the COP in the design of grants that relate to the current political environment;
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to work and multi-task under pressure; and
• Experience working collaboratively with host country governments, education stakeholders, and local civil society;
• Education-focused experience working in Zambia strongly preferred; and
• Professional proficiency and fluency in written and spoken English.