Project Description

USAID/Nepal awarded a contract to Deloitte Consulting LLP to manage and implement the Urja Project from August 12, 2020 to August 12, 2025. The objective of Urja Nepal is to create a financially viable electricity sector that provides affordable, reliable, and secure power and enables the entry of private investment into the Nepali market.

Objective

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) leads field-based project management and operations in general as well as compliance, project financial accounting, and monitoring & evaluation, following USAID rules and regulations and Deloitte’s internal controls processes and supported by Deloitte’s home office finance, subcontracts, invoicing, and other support teams. This will enable the Chief of Party and other technical staff to stay focused on technical delivery and outputs. This role will also provide technical support to the project, as feasible. 

Reporting to the Chief of Party (COP), s/he will support the overall technical vision of the program and ensure quality and timely achievement of all project outcomes. The DCOP will be responsible for directly supporting the COP in the technical management and implementation of program activities, including oversight of Program Objective Leads, staff, advisors, and short- term experts. The DCOP will bear significant responsibility for coordinating with counterparts in the Mission to ensure Urja Nepal is delivering on USAID’s technical, communications, and reporting expectations. In addition, the DCOP will be responsible for design and management of work plan activities, consultant scopes of work, and other technical deliverables; reporting efforts related to these activities (including inputs for annual work plans); and reporting on performance targets and results as defined in the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) plan. This would be a full-time position, based in Kathmandu, Nepal for the life of project (anticipated two years).

Deliverables, Tasks and/or Outputs

The DCOP will be responsible for the following:

• Works with COP to set results-oriented vision for project, working with objective leads to operationalize the vision, ensuring sustainability and scalability.
• Support the Chief of Party in synchronizing program activities, development of annual work plans, ensuring completion of key technical deliverables, and preparing regular and ad hoc reports to USAID.
• Provides direct oversight over relevant staff, assigning tasks, managing workloads, conducting performance evaluations, and fostering a positive and productive work environment for team members.
• Reviews and submits all Kathmandu office requests for USAID approval and meets regularly (formally once a month) with USAID COR to provide updates and obtain feedback on upcoming requests. Closely assists the COP in managing relations with USAID on technical assistance planning, especially liaising with counterparts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and foster collaboration with diverse stakeholders including implementing partners in the region, research institutions, think tanks, government agencies, donors, private sector, and local organizations
• Leverage informational sources and innovative and well-established research methods including observations, assessments, surveys, and reports to drive learning and adaptive management
• Ensures coordination and integration across the project objectives with a focus on meeting project results.
• Ensures the effective use of Grants Under Contracts across project objectives, including cost-share parameters and compliance.
• Ensure interventions are of high quality and adhere to global standards, national policies, and best practices.
• Reviews and develops scopes of work and provides direct oversight of short-term consultants.
• Supports the COP in programmatic, strategic, and quality control duties.
• Presents information on the program to relevant stakeholders, including representing the project in public forums. Speaks on behalf of Urja Nepal in major and high-profile events when COP is not available.
• Assumes role of Acting COP as necessary.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the COP.

Qualifications/Requirements

The DCOP should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in economics, social sciences, international development, management, or a related discipline and 5+ years’ experience in a relevant senior management, supervisory, technical role on donor-funded contracts; or a Bachelor’s degree in aforementioned fields and 8+ years of experience.
• Practical experience working in power through policy, enabling environment reform,
• investment, operations, or risk management at an international level.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and oral and written communications skills in English
• Prior experience working on USAID-funded development programs or within the international donor community within the Southeast Asia context strongly preferred.
• South Asia experience is desired, especially experience in Nepal.
• Significant experience writing donor reports and effectively communicating success to stakeholders.
• Proven track record collaborating with a diverse array of stakeholders and fostering collaborative learning and adaptive management, and social inclusion with women, youth, indigenous and other vulnerable populations