Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) – Finance & Operations, Advancing Capacity for the Environment

Advancing Capacity for the Environment (ACE)

Position: Deputy Chief of Party: Finance and Operations (DCOP Fin/Ops)

**Period of Performance (estimated):**Upon approval-July 2027

Maximum Level of Effort: Full-time long-term technical assistance

Base of Operations: Bethesda, MD, or the DC metropolitan area, or an approved remote location in the US; candidates must be authorized to work in the US

Position Reports to: Chief of Party

Project Background:

The Advancing Capacity for the Environment (ACE) program facilitates the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s work to combat climate change, conserve biodiversity and manage natural resources, improve land governance, and expand access to secure, modern energy and resilient infrastructure. ACE strengthens capacities for technical leadership and effective programming through integrated support in four areas: communications, knowledge management, training, and facilitation/organizational development. ACE’s primary clients include the Center for Climate-Positive Development (CPD), Center for Energy, Infrastructure and Cities (CEIC), and Center for Natural Environment (CNE), and their associated divisional offices, within the agency’s Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security (REFS). The program objective is to enhance USAID’s effectiveness, leading to positive and sustainable development outcomes globally in the above sectors.

Position Description:

The Deputy Chief of Party: Finance and Operations (DCOP Fin/Ops) is a key member of the project’s senior leadership team, responsible for overseeing and managing ACE’s financial and operational performance, as well as contributing to overall project management and strategy. The DCOP Fin/Ops ensures that ACE’s financial and operational systems effectively enable ACE staff to carry out the project’s activities to meet or exceed client expectations and program performance. They will lead ACE’s project accounting, financial reporting, procurement, and administrative compliance within the contractual and organizational requirements of USAID and DAI. The DCOP Fin/Ops serves as a key point of contact for USAID’s Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). They are expected to communicate directly with the client on contractual matters, compliance, and financial reporting in coordination with the Chief of Party. The DCOP Fin/Ops will ensure financial integrity, accuracy, and timely reporting at a project, activity, and task level with significant partnership from technical leads, COP, and the Finance & Operations Specialist.

The DCOP Fin/Ops will stay abreast of ACE’s technical activities, particularly high priority activities, to assess and respond to financial and operational implications, and stand in for the COP at times. The DCOP Fin/Ops will provide ongoing guidance to the COP, and ACE technical teams, on appropriate strategies for achieving ACE’s financial and operational performance. The DCOP Fin/Ops will proactively identify areas to improve program performance, lead and coordinate program-wide initiatives, and contribute to a positive team culture of collaboration, responsiveness and achievement. This role will actively support the implementation of ACE’s team charter, ensuring that the core principles, purposes, and agreements of the ACE team are represented in key decisions, contributing to an environment where growth is encouraged, collaboration is standard, and teamwork is critical. The DCOP Fin/Ops will supervise the Finance and Operation Specialist, and report to the Chief of Party (COP).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Management

Lead the development, implementation, and adaptation of project management systems, policies and procedures. Ensures that ACE project management complies with DAI’s USG Project Management standards and the Project Schedule of Authorities.
Identifies areas of improvement in finance, operations and management, and spearheads necessary changes in coordination with COP.
Leads and supports implementation of program-wide initiatives and tools, including Asana project management platform, Google Workspace, ACE All Staff Retreats, ACE intranet, file management system, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Leads coordination among DAI, USAID and project stakeholders – including DAI Global Project Management, Procurement, IT, Logistics, Human Resources, and Technical/Delivery teams – to ensure program compliance with standards and policies.
Contributes to quarterly performance and risk management reviews by identifying and rating risks while working in coordination with project and home office project management to design time-bound and accountable mitigation actions.

Operations

Oversees recruitment, hiring, onboarding and related operations of maintaining compliant short-term and long-term staff, in consultation with COP and DAI home office support.
Promote professional and technical skill development opportunities in coordination with COP and Technical Area Directors.
Works closely with technical teams to plan and manage project procurement, taking a leading role in procurement for new subcontracts and/or high profile and high budget activities.
Support the operational management of buy-ins and/or USAID operating unit clients and related tasks to ensure efficient and effective implementation of programming.
Coordinate with other DAI/USAID projects that are either global/buy-in in nature and/or being implemented in buy-in countries or with buy-in operating units to ensure effective collaboration and efficiency of operations.

Financial Management and Reporting

Support the COP on all contractual and financial matters with the client, partners, and beneficiaries and takes part in the preparation of budgets and relates realignments.
Responsible for full cycle financial management and reporting. Leads review, reporting and planning cycles to contribute to implementation strategy and delivery management.
Manages pipeline, budget, spending analysis and efficient use of funds across all buy-ins and operating units on constant and ad-hoc basis dependent upon the changing needs of clients and technical teams.
Responsible for ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments for subcontractors, independent consultants and vendors.
Oversees implementation of internal financial management processes and financial reporting, including identifying potential gaps/risks and proposing solutions.

Compliance

Ensures all staff are properly trained in project data management systems, personnel policies, financial procedures, and procurement, and that staff actively incorporate the data management systems into daily project activities.
Maintains and updates all operational and financial policies and procedures to ensure project compliance with local labor law, tax law, and USAID regulations.
Ensures that financial and administrative records as well as project personnel documentation, are obtained, maintained, verified and safeguarded appropriately in related databases (TAMIS, SharePoint, Google Workspace). This includes conducting random spot checks and internal reviews.
Other tasks as assigned by the Senior Director, Finance and Operations and/or the COP.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience and a college degree, preferably in a related field, such as business administration, management, international development and/or other related discipline required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
At least 3 years of supervisory experience.
Demonstrated experience of increasing responsibility in overall project management, complex budgeting, operations, regulatory compliance, and financial management for USAID funded contracts of similar size and complexity.
Proven track record of working with diverse teams in fast-paced environment. Excellent interpersonal skills, including a track record of successful coordination and effective working relations with a wide range of stakeholders.
Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations, as well as DAI policies, procedures and systems preferred.
Demonstrated ability to responsibly and ethically handle sensitive and confidential information.
Strong communication skills both written and oral in English.

Compensation & Benefits:

For employees working in the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $110,000 – $135,000.

Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S.-based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI Organization & Values:

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.