Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)

WSP USA Solutions, Inc.

Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)

Position Description

DCOP for USAID Public Financial Management (PFM), a five-year USAID funded project. This is a five-year program; however, the position is currently for one year with possibility of renewal.

Background

WSP and Deloitte Consulting, together with Georgia State University and the Niti Foundation, are implementing a five-year USAID funded Public Financial Management Program (USAID PFM) whose purpose is to provide technical assistance and strengthen Public Financial Management (PFM) functions, performance, and accountability of targeted agencies at the federal, provincial, and local levels of government, and to provide targeted assistance to the Government of Nepal (GON) aimed at strengthening national PFM institutions and systems to sustainably advance PFM.

The project commenced in October 2022 and will run for a five-year period to October 2027. The major stakeholders of the project are selected Federal Agencies including Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA), Financial Comptroller General’s Office (FCGO), PEFA Secretariat, National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC), National Planning Commission (NPC), Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Minsters (OPMCM), Public Procurement Monitoring Office (PPMO), Provincial Governments of Madhesh and Lumbini Province, and Local Governments located in these two provinces.

Summary of Qualifications

The DCOP directly oversees PFM activity operations, cross-cutting team, and regional implementation. Supports COP in liaising with GoN counterparts and stakeholders on program communications and implementation. Ensures that project activities conform to USAID and stakeholder expectations, and that project results are being met. Working in close association with COP, takes responsibility for oversight of project monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management, with the help of M&E and Communications Specialists. The DCOP will support the Chief of Party for the overall operations of the project. He/she will report directly to the COP.

Responsibilities/Tasks to be Performed

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist the COP in the day-to-day management of the project and the contract, ensuring deliverables are produced on time, and work closely with the M&E specialist and other cross-cutting staff to ensure the project is on track. 
• Oversees the work of the Project Finance and Administration teams working closely with the home office.  
• Work closely with the COP to ensure that all reports and other compliance matters are dealt with in good time for reporting to USAID and Home Office.  
• Plan, supervise, and carry out all procurement under the project contract working closely with HO operations and procurement teams. 
• Establish good working relationships with government and development partner counterparts, and work with them to achieve the project’s objectives. 
• Work with the Objective and Provincial Leads and ensure that the components and provincial offices receive adequate operational support and resources to contribute to the project deliverables on time. 
• Respond to home office on requests associated with internal and external audits; work with the project team to provide the necessary documentation to comply with audit and financial review requirements. 
• Coordinate with the  Home Office and be responsive to their requests. 
• Facilitate approvals on timesheets and leave requests for project staff working closely with the COP. 
• Interact with project staff as needed to help facilitate project deliverables.
• Report to the Chief of Party and assume other management tasks determined by him/her.  Act as COP in the COP’s absence.
• Support the COP and PFM project teams on the development of the annual workplan and other deliverables.

Required education, skills and experience

• At least 7+ years of progressively responsible work experience in fields related to public financial management, and experience in project cycle management, partnership with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Experience with donor-funded financial management, procurement, capacity-building programs and procedures is required. Prior experience working with USAID projects will be a plus. 
• Master’s degree in business administration, international development, finance, economics, or other discipline relevant to the PFM project.
• Strong writing and oral presentation skills and ability to speak, read, and write English and Nepali fluently is required.
• Good knowledge of MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). 
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and good interpersonal skills.

Application Instructions:

Interested and qualified individuals should email the following documents to wsprecruitmentnepal@gmail.com with subject line “Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)”:

1. Cover letter
2. Recent CV 
3. Dates of availability 
4. Contact information of three professional reference, and
5. Daily rate.  A biodata may be asked of the successful candidate in order to verify the daily rate.

Application deadline: December 18, 2023

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The organization reserves the right to reject any/all applications without assigning any reason.