Deputy Chief of Party, Kosovo Adapt Activity

Location: Pristina, Kosovo 

Reports to: Chief of Party  

Please Note: This position is contingent upon award and USAID approval with an anticipated start date of mid-late 2023 

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.  

Global Communities is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated USAID Kosovo Adapt Activity. This five-year $13M program will increase public and private sector awareness and demand for climate smart initiatives and improve Kosovo’s capacity to adapt and implement policies that support climate change mitigation and adaptation, resulting in more resilient environment and economic sustainability for Kosovo citizens.    

Under the direction of the Chief of Party, the DCOP will help provide  strong technical support in the implementation of the project as well as support the COP with financial and operational management. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive. 

The Deputy Chief of Party will be responsible for overseeing the technical teams and technical activity implementation along with supporting the COP with financial and operational leadership. The DCOP will liaise with, guide, and ensure that the project’s implementation is aligned with its approved workplan and budget, and meets targets for achievement while providing high-quality technical assistance to government officials, civil society leaders, and others. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Technical Leadership: 

• Oversee technical project activities and supervises and mentors key program technical staff and consultants. 
• Oversee staff and partners’ planning, execution and documentation of project activities, ensuring timely and high-quality achievement of targets and deliverables. 
• Ensure that approved activities related to climate change implement global and local best practices, providing strategic responses to changing program requirements as needed to meet project goals and objectives. 
• Lead by learning through participative processes, listening to citizen voices and being flexible to stakeholders needs 
• Conduct regular site visits to observe project progress, supervise data quality assessments and obtain feedback from participants and stakeholders. 
• Use principles of adaptive management and data-driven continuous improvement processes and develop appropriate responses to solve challenges under tight deadlines while ensuring operational integrity and project impact. 
• Hold monthly and quarterly project review sessions with staff and partners to routinely assess and improve project performance against workplan and targets 
• Lead project staff quarterly in analyzing and applying project performance and outcome data to monitor progress against indicator targets  
• Build and maintain a sense of shared ownership and unified team effort among staff and local and international partners, as well as strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders within the Kosovar Government at all levels; aligns with government policies, informal and civil society leaders and advocacy groups; project participants, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. 

Operational & Financial Management: 

• Assume the position of Chief of Party role when the COP is not available. 
• Work with senior staff to ensure that financial reports to USAID, effectively and accurately communicate project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds. 
• Represent Global Communities and the project at meetings with multiple local stakeholders (other NGOs, government officials, private sector institutions, etc.) as needed and necessary. 
• Promote Global Communities’ values (purposeful, committed, genuine, and connected) and ensuring that all project staff demonstrate these values.  

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development, public administration, environmental science, or climate change with a minimum of 8 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to climate change, and/or providing relevant technical expertise to such projects; or, 
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to international development, public administration, environmental science, or climate change with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties in fields related to climate change and/or providing relevant technical expertise to such projects. 
• Experience in the Balkans region with preference for recent work in Kosovo. 
• Proven experience in a leadership position involving the administration of similarly sized, international donor-supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting strongly preferred. International NGO experience working with officials in the government sector is strongly preferred.  
• Knowledge/Experience with USAID rules and regulations strongly preferred.  
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of relevant local laws, regulations and policies is required.   
• Management/supervisory experience is required. 
• Strong understanding of the local context.   
• Experience building connections between eligible Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Private Sector and government entities.   
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.  
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired. 
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Albanian, Serbian, or other local language desired.  
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities. 

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society.  We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.