Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) at Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)

Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH) is one of the leading Nigerian Non-Governmental Organizations implementing programs of improving Sexual and Reproductive Health, Care and Treatment of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, etc. We offer professional opportunities for career advancement, good working environment and competitive remuneration.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP)

Location: Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Reports to: The Chief of Party (CoP)
Contract Type: TBD
Project/Program: USAID-Funded Primary Health Care Improvement Program(UPHIP)
Supervises:  Technical Teams, Project Managers, and Sector Leads
Duration: 1 Year with a possibility of extension

The Position

• The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)/Technical Director will support the Chief of Party in the overall management, technical direction, and implementation of an anticipated USAID-Funded Primary Health Care Improvement Program (UPHIP).
• The DCOP/Technical Director will provide leadership in the design and implementation of technical strategies and interventions that meet the project’s goals and objectives.

Purpose of the Role

• The DCoP/Technical Director will be responsible for overseeing the technical design and execution of project activities.
• S/he will ensure the technical quality of project deliverables, align activities with donor requirements, and support the CoP in the day-to-day management of the project.
• The role will also involve coordinating with sector leads and technical experts to ensure timely, high-quality implementation across all programmatic areas.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership:

• Lead the technical planning and design of project activities, ensuring alignment with the overall project strategy, donor guidelines, and best practices.
• Oversee the technical aspects of the program, including the development of innovative approaches, methodologies, and interventions in RMNCAH, Malaria, HRH and Health Systems Strengthening
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes such as gender, youth, social inclusion, and sustainability in all project activities.
• Serve as the technical expert and provide strategic guidance to sector leads and technical teams on project execution.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sector trends, developments, and emerging best practices to inform project interventions.

Program Management and Coordination:

• Support the Chief of Party in managing day-to-day project operations and ensuring that project deliverables are met within the set timeline and budget.
• Coordinate closely with project managers and sector leads to ensure smooth implementation of all activities.
• Work with the CoP to develop and monitor work plans, ensuring the timely completion of activities and the effective use of project resources.
• Contribute to the development of strategic plans, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, and performance monitoring plans to track and assess project outcomes.

Capacity Building:

• Provide technical oversight and capacity-building support to project staff, local partners, and government counterparts to ensure the sustainability of interventions.
• Lead efforts to strengthen the technical capacity of project teams and partners through training, mentoring, and technical assistance.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning:

• Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to track project progress, ensure data collection, and document outcomes and lessons learned.
• Use data and evaluation findings to inform project adjustments and continuous improvement of technical interventions.
• Ensure that evidence-based learning is integrated into project implementation and shared with relevant stakeholders for policy advocacy and practice improvement.

Donor and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance during donor visits, partner meetings, and external engagements.
• Serve as the technical point of contact with donors, local government agencies, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare and contribute to the technical sections of donor reports, presentations, and external communications.

Financial and Operational Management:

• Support the CoP in overseeing the project budget and ensuring that technical interventions are cost-effective and within budgetary constraints.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies, particularly in relation to the technical execution of project activities

Deliverables:

• Lead the preparation and timely submission of technical reports, project deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to the donor.
• Ensure the successful implementation of all technical activities within the agreed-upon timelines and resources.
• Produce technical briefs, case studies, and success stories to highlight the project’s impact.
• Contribute to the sustainability of project interventions by building the technical capacity of local stakeholders and ensuring best practices are institutionalized.

Educational Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• A First Degree in health or Social Science and Master’s Degree in Public Health.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant technical experience, including at least 5 years of experience managing large-scale, donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in RMNCAH, Malaria, HRH and HealthCare Financing
• Proven experience in project management, including work planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of donor regulations and requirements (e.g., USAID, DFID, EU).
• Excellent leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.

Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred:

• Experience working in Nigeria or similar contexts.
• Experience with capacity building and working with local partners and government institutions.
• Familiarity with cross-cutting issues such as gender, social inclusion, and sustainability.

 Competencies:

• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of RMNCAH, Malaria, HRH and HealthCare Financing interventions with the ability to design and oversee high-quality technical interventions.
• Leadership: Ability to provide strategic direction and lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills and ability to identify and implement innovative solutions.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government, donors, and local communities.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience in presenting complex technical content to different audiences.
• Adaptability: Ability to thrive in complex, challenging environments and respond effectively to emerging issues.

Reporting Line:

• The Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Director will report directly to the Chief of Party and work closely with the project’s senior leadership team, including the M&E Manager, Finance and Operations Director, and sector leads.

Application Closing Date
5th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
And
Send their comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter in ONLY one attachment (MS Word document) explaining suitability for the job, to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Note

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Applicants are advised to provide their functional emails/mobile phone numbers on the application letter as well as three professional referees including their functional e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.
• Eligible female applicants are encouraged to apply.
• ARFH has a Child Safeguarding policy in place and is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).