Deputy Chief of Party(DCOP)

Scope of Work (SoW)

USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal)

Deputy Chief of Party(DCOP)

USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) will conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard Nepal’s biodiversity to improve the health of ecosystems, fight environmental crime, and improve the ability of communities to prepare for and adapt to impacts caused by climate change and natural disasters. The activity will achieve measurable conservation targets within the biodiversity-rich, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems in and around the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape, Kailash Sacred Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, and the proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape while increasing resilience to climate change and contributing to the inclusive and sustainable development of the Nepali people. To accomplish this, USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) will implement activities aligned with three mutually interrelated and reinforcing objectives: improve the health of ecosystems (Objective 1), strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards (Objective 2), and enhance the climate resilience of natural and human ecosystems (Objective 3).

1.     Objectives of the assignment  

The DCOP will work closely with the COP to guide the project’s day-to-day technical implementation and strategic planning and provide technical leadership to ensure integration of strategies and lessons learned. The DCOP will oversee senior technical experts and Landscape Leads and provide top-level technical expertise in the Nepali biodiversity context, including environmental conservation of ecosystems, environmental crime and natural resource safeguarding, and climate resilience.

2.     Tasks & Responsibilities 

The DCOP will support the COP, technical leads, grants, field staff, and procurement staff in achievement of contractual results. S/he will support the integration of USAID Biodiversity components, the formation of a collaborative and productive project team, and a county-led development process.  Specific responsibilities, conducted with the support of subcontractors, STTA, and the USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) team:  

• Strengthen collaboration and coordination mechanisms for actors at the national and county levels. 
• Assist the COP with program reporting tasks, including quarterly and annual reports, success stories and other reports as required and requested by USAID and DAI 
• Contribute to, and participate in, project reporting, events, and learning activities. 
• Manage and facilitate relationships with the key local stakeholders including government actors in the local, provincial and federal levels. Including managing relations with MOFE, DNPWC,  private sector actors, key subcontractors, and other stakeholders. 
• Work closely with the GESI Director and technical staff to ensure GESI activities are meaningfully integrated in technical activities at all levels. 
• Oversee activities in climate adaption, protected area management, and biodiversity conservation.  
• Champion awareness raising of environmental concerns, enabling local action and local solutions.  
• Directly supervise Senior Program Manager who oversees the 3 objective leads, and the 3 Landscape Team Leaders of Dhangadhi, Pokhara and Surkhet.  Directly coordination with all project staff. 
• Lead by example adherence to DAI's high ethical standards and ensure high compliance, contributing to a positive work environment.
• Serve as acting COP as needed. 

3.     Qualifications  

• University degree in a relevant field; master’s preferred.
• Relevant experience, preferably with international donor-funded organization. For a candidate with a master’s 13 years of professional work experience is required, for a candidate with a bachelor’s 15 years of relevant technical experience is required. (Subtract one year of relevant experience—12 years with MA or 14 years with BA—for persons of excluded groups)
• Demonstrated supervisory experience. Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience is required; 8 years is desired. 
• Demonstrated management, leadership, technical, and interpersonal skills. 
• Strong writing and oral presentation skills 
• Experience with USAID donor requirements is a plus, but not required. 
• Experience with DAI systems and management tools a plus, but not required. 
• Ability to speak, read and write English and Nepali fluently. 
• Demonstrated success in advancing gender and social inclusion—addressing barriers faced by women and disadvantaged communities in access and sustainable use of natural resources and adaption to climate change.  

Application link

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/z4jx8ngfgd/index

Application instructions:

Please select the position for which you are interested in applying for, fill out the required information and upload your CV. Only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on the next steps.

Interested candidates should submit their application no later than February 16, 2024. 

Women and persons from excluded groups are encouraged to apply.

Consistent with DAI’s commitment to attracting and retaining staff from all races, ethnicities, castes and backgrounds, DAI may adjust eligibility requirements to allow for applicants from excluded groups.  In these cases, the Scope of Work and vacancy announcement will clearly indicate the minimum requirements according to the Country Compensation Plan as well as the revised minimum requirements for applicants representing an excluded group. DAI promotes workforce diversity and in Nepal, DAI considers excluded groups to be women, Dalits, indigenous ethnic minority groups, Madhesi, Muslim, persons with disabilities, people living in remote areas, and sexual and gender minorities.