Deputy Chief of Party, USAID/Philippines, Save Biodiversity

Palladium Group

Philippines

This Proposal Opportunity:

The USAID/Philippines Save Biodiversity Activity is a 5-year activity will address the related issues of biodiversity loss and climate change, by improving an enabling environment, strengthening key institutions, and leveraging private sector investments and financing toward conservation, adaptation, and mitigation. The total estimated cost for this activity ranges from $25M to $49.99M USD. This activity will advance synergy of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation and adaptation through the management of terrestrial and marine resources to ensure a sustainable provisioning of ecosystem goods and services improving ecological and community resilience.

Under the leadership of the Chief of Party (COP), the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) leads technical aspects of the project in compliance with USAID and Palladium rules and regulations to achieve project objectives. They will also regularly engage with and maintain good relationships with relevant actors …. The DCOP will provide support to the COP in liaising, programmatic, strategic development, and quality control duties. They shall have depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, a solid professional reputation, interpersonal skills, and professional relationships to fulfill the requirements of the activity.

This is a proposal position and is contingent upon award from USAID.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) shall provide support to the COP with strategic leadership and oversight to the activity;
Serve as a member of the senior leadership team of the program and support the Chief of Party in oversight of project staff and activities;
Co-lead and oversee programmatic functions, i.e., development of work plans, budgets, quarterly/annual reports, and ensure effective implementation of program strategy;
Maintain effective and open communication throughout the project with Chief of Party, USAID, Project Director, Objective;
Leads, project operations teams, and other relevant stakeholders;
Collaborate with different stakeholders, particularly the Philippine’s government, to foster country-driven, inclusive, locally relevant strategies to improve and assure biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation and adaptation and resource management practices;
Work with the Chief of Party and other project staff to continuously refine implementation processes by integrating lessons learned and best practices;
Ensure that program implementation is in accordance with Palladium’s and USAID’s regulations and procedures;
In collaboration with local staff in-country, identify program opportunities and potential local partners as needed;
Serve in an acting capacity in the absence of the COP; and
Undertake other duties as assigned by the COP.

Key Competencies Required:

A University degree or higher in international affairs, public administration, business administration, policy social sciences, law, development studies and/or biodiversity, environment, or natural resource related fields;
Extensive experience in managerial and operational experience, preferably in managing large donor projects involving coordination with multiple implementing partners or institutions;
Proven leadership in the administration of similar sized international donor- supported programs with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting;
Experience working with the Government of the Philippines institutions is preferred;
Knowledge of natural resources, environment/biodiversity contract management, policies, procedures, regulations and reporting requirements;
Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams;
Experience managing field-based biodiversity conservation and or climate change or ecosystem management and restoration;
Extensive experience in developing activity work-plans, budgets, managing implementation, staff, and short-term technical assistance;
Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically, ability to manage a culturally and linguistically diverse staff, consultants, and counterparts;
Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities, often within a required timeframe;
Professional and diplomatic demeanor and conduct, especially during interactions with the client and its constituents, particularly regarding the Philippines’ government;
Experience working in the Southeast Asia region preferred. Experience in the Philippines a plus; and
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.