• JOB TITLE: Deputy Chief of Party
• LINE MANAGER JOB TITLE: Chief of Party
• DEPARTMENT: Operations
• LOCATION: Aden
• DIRECT REPORTS JOB TITLE(S): Program Coordinators, Grants Officers 

ABOUT ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world.   At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity, and bring about sustainable change.

BACKGROUND

ARK is executing two programs funded by USAID in the field of Governance, Peace, and Stability: the USAID Building Peace in Yemen and the "USAID Yemen Community Resilience. These programs are implemented in the governorates of Abyan, Aden, Al-Dhali’, Hadramout, and Lahj in Southern Yemen.

The USAID Building Peace in Yemen program partners with communities in rural Yemen to address root causes of land and water conflict, especially water scarcity, by promoting water conservation, especially in agriculture, and facilitating community-led climate change resilience planning. The program will promote dialogue, mediation, and resolution of existing land and water conflicts, especially those between groups in conflict. 

The USAID Yemen Community Resilience program also partners with local civil society and community-based organizations, especially those led by women, to strengthen community cohesion and child protection through direct support as well as through health and social service referrals.

PURPOSE OF POSITION 

The Deputy Chief of the Party (DCoP) will support the Chief of Party (CoP) in the strategic and operational management of the two USAID-funded programs implemented by ARK. This role will play an integral part in ensuring that community awareness, prevention mechanisms, reconciliation, and economic empowerment initiatives are executed effectively. The DCoP will be the primary focal point for the program implementation, including overseeing the day-to-day execution of work plans and ensuring all activities align with ARK's mission and USAID's objectives.

The DCoP will work closely with the CoP to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of the program's objectives. The individual will be expected to display leadership, provide direction, and demonstrate a commitment to peacebuilding and community resilience in Yemen.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Implementation

• Collaborate with the COP to manage program resources, technical implementation, and completion of work plan activities and program deliverables.
• Lead the preparation of implementation work plans, budgets, and other necessary plans in collaboration with the CoP.
• Oversee the implementation of work plans, especially on a weekly and monthly basis, and update the CoP regarding any challenges that could impede progress toward annual targets. 
• Perform day-to-day management of program implementation deadlines, milestones, and progress reports.
• Lead in overseeing and assuring the quality of programs’ activities and deliverables.
• Support in the budget versus actual reviews based on the work plans 
• Collaborate with the program coordinators, MEAL team, and other relevant teams to ensure accurate measurement, monitoring, and evaluation of the program's impact.
• Collaborate with the Third Party Monitoring team on monitoring activities, including field visits, and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs).

2. Partnerships Management

• Assist the CoP in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with government bodies, other agencies, programs’ partners, and stakeholders.
• Support the grants team on the full subaward cycle from selection to close-out in compliance with 2 CFR 200.332, including:
  • Oversee technical assessment and selection of subrecipients following requests for applications.
  • Support with subrecipient pre-award risk assessments as required.
  • Determine appropriate performance reporting cadence and structure for all subrecipients.
  • Lead on programmatic/technical organizational capacity assessments for subrecipients.
  • Develop and implement capacity development plans for subrecipients, including training and technical assistance on program-related matters, and ensuring they are aligned with program objectives. 
  • Provide guidance on subrecipient monitoring plans, ensuring timely and appropriate action for any deviations detected. 
  • Performing on-site reviews of the subrecipients’ program operations.
  • Oversee enforcement action against potential noncompliant subrecipients.
  • Provide technical assistance on close-out of subawards, including timely close-out reporting and documentation of lessons learned.

4. Capacity Building and Support

• Provide mentorship and training to implementation staff to enhance programs’ performance in delivering field activities.
• Builds capacity of formal and informal local community leaders, organizations, and networks to meet program objectives, including the people-to-people program principles, child protection, and community-led conflict mitigation.

5. Leadership

• Make implementation decisions and solve problems under tight deadlines while ensuring operational and program integrity.
• Carry out regular contextual analysis and action-oriented learning across all targeted areas to support adaptive management.
• Step into the leadership role in the absence of the CoP, ensuring continuity of operations and consistent communication.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• A Master's degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum of 6 years of experience or a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline and a minimum of 8 years of experience.
• Knowledge and experience in community-led resilience building, community-led conflict mitigation, and child protection programs.
• At least 2 years of experience in a leadership or deputy leadership role.
• Familiarity with managing peace-building programs in volatile environments and experience with US donors is a plus.
• A deep understanding of the socio-political context in Yemen.
• Strong oral and written skills in both English and Arabic.
• Legal right to work in ROYG-controlled areas of Yemen.

Desirable

• Prior experience with USAID and knowledge of their rules and regulations.
• Experience in peacebuilding initiatives in Yemen, especially in a deputy or supportive role.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership management and overseeing small grants.