Deputy Chief of Party

Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party, Implementation Science Research for Improved Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Outcomes Activity, Eastern Africa

Location: Preferably Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, or Ethiopia.

About Us: At Pathfinder International, we are driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

Your Impact: Pathfinder is seeking an experienced Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Implementation Science Research for Improved Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Outcomes Activity. This project aims to conduct SRH research that prioritizes local ownership and contextual relevance, addressing programmatic needs to drive the adoption, utilization, and impact of research findings. The focus is on locally-driven, context-specific research questions that also contribute to answering global research priorities.

As the DCOP, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and provide overall SRH technical content and programmatic support to the project. You will support the Chief of Party (COP) with project oversight and maintenance of MEL, financial, and technical component of the project. You will support the COP and partners as needed to build and maintain strong relationships with government counterparts to advance project objectives and ensure the smooth execution of project activities. Additionally, you will serve as Acting COP in the COP’s absence.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Development and Implementation:

• Provides managerial and technical support to the COP, including leading the development of strategies, creating work plans, development of deliverables, compliance, and reporting according to donor requirements. 
• Ensures that requirements for conducting human research are met and adhered to by project staff.
  
  
  

Project Support:

• Provides technical guidance to project staff and partners for planning, developing research questions, implementing, monitoring and evaluating activities for the accomplishment of project objectives. 
• Ensures SRH technical quality and best practices
• Serves as COP in the COP’s absence.
  
  
  

Financial and Operations Support:

• Oversees financial and administrative functions of the project and provide capacity building as needed
  
  
  

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• In collaboration with the M&E Director, oversees the monitoring of project performance to ensure project objectives are achieved or exceeded. 
  
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Initiates and nurtures partnerships with new and existing stakeholders including the private sector. Manages close collaborative relationships and engagement with national level government stakeholders. 
• Engages with stakeholders across the countries of focus, and participates in relevant national and regional dialogues related to SRH, sharing research outcomes.
  
  
  

Pathfinder Representation:

• Represents the project and internal and external technical meetings and conferences.  
  
  
  

Managing External Teams:

• Provides strategic oversight and leadership to subcontractors, local teams, and local partners, including staff and partners across the different countries of focus.
• Provides technical and organizational capacity strengthening as needed to project teams and partners.
  
  
  

What You Bring:

• Advanced degree in public health or related field 
• Minimum ten years of senior-level professional experience designing, managing and implementing donor-funded programs, preferably in a project director or DCOP role, with significant experience and expertise in SRH programming.
• sound expertise in SRH areas. 
• Strong financial management, compliance, budgeting and project operations/administrative oversight abilities.
• Experience interacting/collaborating with government agencies, host-country governments, international donor agencies, development partners, private sector, civil society, and community-based organizations. 
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID funding policies, rules and regulations. 
• Experience strengthening the capacity of national non-government partner organizations to achieve USAID’s goals for localization.
• Experience working with teams and partners across different countries.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Senior-level experience implementing donor funded programs related to SRH with a strong focus on research.
• Experience implementing health-focused projects in the East Africa countries of focus
  
  
  

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

• Join an innovative, forward-thinking organization that values your growth and ideas.
• Work within a supportive, collaborative environment.
• Make a meaningful impact on our organization's project operations.
• Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Benefit from the opportunity to engage globally.
  
  
  

Ready to Apply? If you are passionate about safety and security and are eager to make a difference, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role via this website no later than February 28,2025. Please also include the contact details of at least 3 references in your resume.

Join us in making a difference and delivering world class project delivery!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals With Disabilities

Pathfinder International provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Safeguarding and Protection

Pathfinder is committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve and our staff. We have zero tolerance for any type of behavior that inflicts harm on children, young people, adults, our staff, and partners including sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, and exploitation. We do everything possible to ensure that we recruit only those who are suitable to work with for us and expect that everyone we hire will abide by our safeguarding and related policies and will report any suspected or known violations. This job is subject to a range of vetting checks as legally permitted in the country where they are being hired. By applying, the job applicant acknowledges they understand our intent to verify suitability to work with us.