Program Overview

“Economic Recovery and Development Activity (ERDA)” is an upcoming five year project funded the USAID. The project’s budget will be about $20-25 million, and is designed to expand economic opportunities in the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province by strengthening and modernizing the agriculture sector and promoting farm and off-farm micro- and small enterprises (MSEs). Interventions under this activity will promote sustainable economic growth by improving agriculture sector capacity and supporting allied MSEs in the non-agriculture sectors. Additionally, the activity will leverage planned public sector development initiatives and will support policy reforms to create an enabling environment for private sector investments in sectors that offer the highest potential for economic growth. The activity will provide targeted technical assistance to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) to maximize the impact of planned public sector economic growth initiatives in the NMDs and promote sustainable economic activity in the region.

Overview of the Position:

The DCOP – Operations is a senior management team member who plays an integral role in supporting the project team to ensure compliance, transparency and accountability. S/he oversees day-to-day project operations and administration, including finance, procurement, human resources, I.T, operational systems, and logistics, ensuring smooth implementation and program integrity, working closely with the Chief of Party (COP).

Roles and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Management

• Manage  day-to-day operations (including the project's facilities such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and financial accounting.
• Provide management oversight and direction to functional team leads, including remotely for those based in field.
• Ensure timely dissemination of new initiatives and policies and monitor their implementation for project efficiency.
• Work closely with the COP and partners in managing effective relationships with the donor.
• Encourage mentorship and capacity building of staff; conduct operational trainings and refreshers as needed throughout the life of the project.

Compliance

• Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with DAI policies and procedures, working closely with the DAI Home Office, and with USAID regulations including the specifications.
• Manage the USG/USAID required vetting processes/procedures, ensuring timely and accurate submission of required information.
• Stay apprised of and ensure adherence to other USG/USAID required procedures as may become necessary.

Operations and Administration

• Provide management oversight to the procurement, administration, I.T, and security teams.
• Ensure that all operational/logistical procedures are correctly followed by all staff and propose/develop improvements as and when required.
• Manage subcontractors or service-providers who provide continuous or discrete support to the program’s operational platform.

Human Resources

• Provide management oversight to the Human Resources team, ensuring that all recruitment and staff management is conducted in accordance with DAI policies and procedures, and applicable Pakistani laws.
• Ensure that all new and current staff are trained on personnel policies, administrative procedures, and procurement and support HR to identify internal training opportunities for project staff to further develop capacity and competency

Finance

• Provide management oversight to the Finance team, ensuring smooth day-to-day financial operations and compliance with DAI policies and systems, USAID regulations and Pakistani law.
• Work with the COP on the review and analysis of budget estimates for allowability, allocability, reasonableness and consistency

Requirements (Education, Experience, Skills, Languages.):

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in business, management, finance, or a related degree from an accredited university;
• Minimum seven years (with advanced or professional degree) or 10 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience working with global development projects;
• Experience with grants or small grants under contract programs strongly preferred;
• Fluency in USAID’s policies and procedures in regard to human resources, financial management, financial reporting, procurement processes, systems, and grant management;
• Experience working in developing countries is required, preferably in fragile and/or transition programs in insecure environments;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with culturally and geographically diverse staff;
• Exceptional organization skills and ability to work and multi-task under pressure;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
• Fluency in written and spoken Urdu/Pashto is preferable, but not required.