Deputy Chief of Party

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC began working in Afghanistan in 1988, launching relief programs for people displaced by the invasion of the Soviet Union. IRC continued to provide aid under Taliban rule and expanded its community development projects after the Taliban was ousted. IRC now works across nine provinces. The IRC works with local communities to identify, plan and manage their own development projects; provides safe learning spaces in rural areas; provides uprooted families with basic necessities; and helps people find employment.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for an upcoming USAID-funded, $50-60 million, 5 year project in Afghanistan called ‘USAID Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA)’. The project aims to empower Afghan youth by equipping them with market relevant technical and soft skills. AIYA seeks to improve learning outcomes and economic opportunities for both young men and women. The goal is to ensure that Afghan youth, especially girls and young women acquire technical and soft skills to thrive in the market.

The Deputy Chief of Party will have overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided under the project is technically sound and appropriate to meet the activity objectives. S/he will be responsible for providing overall technical, administrative, and subject matter expertise service to the COP and serve as the alternate liaison with USAID on management and technical matters. This role will be a key technical lead within the Project Management Unit (PMU) that will oversee all program/technical staff. The successful candidate must have significant international program management experience in managing donor and/or USAID

funded projects preferably in Afghanistan.

This position will report to the IRC Country Director and is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding. It is anticipated to begin in Oct, 2024.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical and strategic leadership support on all program activities, including leading partnerships and technical assistance to program partners, grantees, and beneficiaries;

• Responsible for ensuring program quality, technical excellence and timeliness of all deliverables.

• Serve as subject matter expert in design, implementation, and oversight of the technical aspects

• of the activity;

• Manage consortium partnerships and maintain collaborative partner relations;

• Represent IRC externally at meetings, workshops, and other events;

• Serve as the alternative liaison with USAID on management and technical matters in the absence of the COP

• Develop regular reports and ongoing activity monitoring consistent with IRC and USAID’s requirements;

• Act as a liaison with the local government and other in-country stakeholders;

• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

• Ensure project delivery meets all IRC standard operational policies and procedures;

• Ensure implementation is in accordance with USAID regulations, liaising regularly with USAID agreement officers, technical support staff, sub-grantees, and implementers of other USAID-funded initiatives as required.

• Manage a diverse team of project staff.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Hold a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field and have technical expertise in one or more of the program areas.

• Have 7-8 years of successful experience as Project Director/COP/DCOP of large donor-funded technical assistance, preferably USAID.

• Demonstrated experience managing similar projects in Afghanistan or Asia region, involving management of multi-million-dollar budgets/portfolios and coordination with multiple programs and partner institutions.

• Demonstrated experience engaging with the private sector as well as private sector institutions such as Chamber of Commerce, Business Associations, Training and Financial Institutions.

• Be adept in strategic planning, budget review, adaptive management, and supervision.

• Strong leadership, analytical and organizational skills.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with donor, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators and staff at all levels of the organization.

• Understanding of USAID procurement processes and procedures.

**Local applicants and women strongly encouraged to apply**