Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) – Equity and Inclusion in Education

CARE Nepal is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Chief of Party for the anticipated five-year USAID Nepal Equity and Inclusion in Education project. The project will support the Government of Nepal in reducing the number of children who are out of school and improving learning outcomes for marginalized students. It will provide targeted support to municipalities to implement evidence based interventions that are driven by the local context in agreed upon provinces (Province 2, Sudurpaschim, and/or Karnali). Areas of focus include: decreasing financial barriers to education, increasing use of targeted non-formal education, increasing enrollment in early childhood education, increasing relevance of education; improving equitable teaching practices, and supporting schools to implement prioritized minimum enabling conditions. This position is subject to project award, funding, and USAID approval.

Position Description:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) will spearhead technical and/or management aspects of a five-year USAID Equity and Inclusion in Education Project. This position is responsible for overall planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the project. S/he will ensure quality of project intervention design and approaches, and appropriate and timely allocation of resources for effective implementation of program intervention. S/he will guide and supervise project team, and work closely with local partners, government line agencies, civil society, private sectors and other stakeholders to fulfill the project’s strategic goals and objectives, ensuring compliance with USAID and CARE policies and procedures. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, and ensure technical support and efficient resource allocation for effective program implementation. 
• Establish and maintain strong relationship with the donor, project partners, government bodies, and other key stakeholders. 
• Manage, guide and develop project team and ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.  
• Monitor and guide program implementation, ensuring technical quality and compliance with CARE and donor rules and guidelines. 
• Guide the project strategy for community engagement and lead the development and implementation of tools, approaches and best practices to increase the enrollment, retention and learning outcomes in early childhood education and early grade education focusing on both demand (families, learners) and supply (schools, teachers, government partners) side.
• Contribute to the project’s M&E, learning, and research to support adaptive management, decision-making and advocacy. 
• Ensure that new knowledge and best practices in relevant areas are shared and contribute to the knowledge base through participation in local, regional and global partner and technical networks, scientific forums and other knowledge-sharing platforms.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Education, International Development or relevant field.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in managing and implementing Education and/or Inclusion programs of large scope and size in a development context. Experience on ECED and formal education projects preferred.
• Previous experience of working in a senior management role in USAID funded programs required.
• Strong understanding of the education sector of Nepal. 
• Previous experience in managing, supervising and developing project team
• In-depth knowledge in any one or more of the following areas:  decreasing financial barriers to education, increase use of targeted non-formal education, increasing enrollment in early childhood education, increasing relevance of education; improving equitable teaching practices, and supporting schools to implement prioritized minimum enabling conditions, M&E and operations research.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, for-profit private sector entities, local community organizations, donors and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level.
• Strong management skills, strategic vision, and leadership qualities. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English; excellent demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity and Diversity, as evidenced in previous positions / programming. Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse).
• Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Experience managing required programmatic and financial reporting requirements.
• Ability to travel within Nepal as required.