About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include Lutheran World Relief, IMA World Health, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world’s most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org
Founded in 1945, Corus member Lutheran World Relief (LWR) collaborates with local partner organizations to develop and implement programs that grow inclusive and climate resilient rural economies, reduce poverty, and respond to emergencies and humanitarian crises.
About the job: LWR is currently recruiting a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for a USAID-funded project in Ecuador. This five-year, $10-24.9 million project will promote sustainable livelihoods and advance natural climate solutions in areas affected by deforestation and land degradation through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and mitigation efforts.
The DCOP will take a leadership role in ensuring technical and administration implementation of high impact, proven interventions, while ensuring that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The DCOP will assume the responsibilities of the COP in the absence of the COP. S/he will take a technical leadership role in coordination with key stakeholders and other implementing partners, including numerous government institutions and representatives, the private sector, and civil society partners to ensure that market systems interventions contribute towards outcomes in line with regional and global best practices. Ensuring effective implementation of the project and working closely with the program implementing partners and the COP to ensure adaptive management of the project takes place will be key to the role. A collaborative mindset and willingness to invest in the long-term success of local institutions (public, private, and civil society) also will be key.
The COP position will be based in Ecuador. Actual hiring is contingent upon successful agreement award and USAID approval. The anticipated start date is currently projected to be on or around October 2025.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Chief of Party and senior management team in support of maintaining project objectives and evaluate program effectiveness and determine corrective action needed to achieve objectives.
- Coordinate with key staff/component leads and partners in carrying out activities in accordance with the work plan and timelines for deliverables
- Provide technical leadership on one or more of the following topics: biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and commodities, climate change, Nature-based Solutions, private sector engagement.
- Support development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation
- Define strategy, iterate, and ensure consortium partner buy-in and adherence to the overall technical approach
- Provide oversight of implementing partners, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment inclusive of both local and international partner organizations towards program objectives
- Together with the COP and the technical implementation team, take a lead role in the development of the annual workplan and review of the existing performance monitoring plans; manage effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems to achieve results; and liaise with internal and external program evaluation technical staff and consultants
- Supervise program staff and manage consortium partners in coordination with the Chief of Party
- Build staff capacity through on-the-job training and mentoring in consultation with the Chief of Party
- In coordination with the Chief of Party, represent the project in public and professional circles and during donor and other high-level visits (especially by USG and private agencies), through meetings, conferences, and presentations; support written correspondence to the donor as needed
Qualifications
- MA/MS or equivalent in international development, integrated rural development, environmental sciences/management, climate change/adaptation, economics, sustainable agriculture and other related fields.
- At least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a team of both international and expatriate staff, and local or international partner organizations
- Experience managing large, complex donor-funded international development programs required; experience managing USAID projects of similar size and complexity to this activity a significant advantage
- Proven ability to work with government officials, international partners, local agricultural specialists, financial service providers, and other local stakeholders likely contributing to the design and implementation of market-based agricultural inputs improvement projects
- Experience in adaptive management preferred, with proven ability to iterate, test, and adjust programming in line with contextual shifts
- Ability to direct and manage change and inspire teamwork and high performing teams
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills
- Cross-cultural sensitivity a must; experience living and/or working in developing countries required
- Excellent analytical written and oral communication skills
- Professional level fluency in English and Spanish, both oral and written.
- Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in Ecuador.