CARE seeks a Deputy Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID-funded Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) in Sierra Leone. The goals of the activity are to improve the quality of Family Planning and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (FP/RMNCAH) and malaria services and increase the adoption of selected key optimal behaviors to improve health in selected districts.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) is accountable for strategic leadership and technical oversight of the project. This position is responsible to oversee technical quality, planning, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring, and reporting of the project.

The DCOP will work closely with the Chief of Party to guarantee quality, efficiency, integrity, and learning throughout project duration. S/he will provide strategic oversight and technical guidance to, and resolve challenges in implementation of, cross-sectoral activities. This involves continually monitoring program tasks and activities against goals; minimizing duplication of personnel activities; and defining and using standard operating procedures.

The DCOP is also expected to promote learning and innovation. This includes adapting tools and systems; promoting data-driven, evidence-based actions; expanding successful activities’ breadth and depth; building capacity to work in new ways; and communicating best practices to relevant parties.

This activity is expected to be a five-year, $45 million program.

This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USAID approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. National candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Responsibilities:

· In collaboration with the COP provide leadership, management oversight, and technical direction for the program, ensuring an integrated vision across components and actors, with a focus on achieving the results.

· Oversee all aspects of project implementation, including program quality, evidence generation, and management of direct reports.

· Oversee the coordinated planning (of activities and resources) and implementation of the program and program operations in line with state-of-the art strategies, technical standards, and applicable USAID rules and regulations.

· In collaboration with the Chief of Party, ensure the adequacy of planning, monitoring and reporting and competence for the effective scale up of program interventions to meet established programmatic and financial targets and timeframes.

· Supervise and monitor activity implementation and ensure activities meet stated goals on time with high quality and reporting requirements.

· Ensure that all deliverables and targets are met with high quality within the scope of the fund and defined time.

· Identify learnings, issues, challenges, and risks of program implementation time and plan for the alternatives in favor of the target groups.

· Maintain good working relations with donors, Government of Sierra Leone counterparts, Civil Society organizations, academic institutions, and partners.

· Capacity assessment of implementing partner and developing capacity development plan for partners and implement it.

· Perform other related responsibilities as assigned by the Chief of Party (CoP)

Qualifications:

· University degree or graduate degree in public health, social sciences, or related field.

· 8+ years’ experience in Family Planning, RMNCAH, malaria prevention, health systems strengthening and/or behavior change communications.

· Significant experience managing large-scale, multi-year USG-funded programs. Strong track record of successfully managing USAID-funded programs, preferably including previously serving as a Deputy Chief of Party.

· Demonstrated ability to implement projects with rigorous timelines and deliverables and to track program quality through donor approved monitoring and evaluation systems.

· Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, such as local NGOs, government officials, donor representatives, local and international staff.

· Ability to respond on short notice and plan and execute several activities at once.

· Ability to work under pressure, as part of a team or independently, and meet deadlines consistently.

· Proven experience hiring, training, and supervising teams of international and local staff.

· Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate diverse teams.

· Experience engaging with public and private health sector actors in Sierra Leone and contextual knowledge of Sierra Leone health systems strongly preferred.

· Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

· Willingness to travel.