Deputy Chief of Party – Commodity & School Feeding

Job Posting Organization:
CARE International is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting global poverty and providing disaster relief. Established in 1945, CARE has a presence in over 100 countries and employs thousands of staff worldwide. The organization focuses on empowering women and girls, improving education, and ensuring security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, among other initiatives. Through various programs, CARE aims to create sustainable change in communities, particularly in developing nations.

Job Overview:
The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) – Commodity & School Feeding position is a pivotal role within the TIWOLOKA Program Management Team at CARE International. This role is designed for an experienced and strategic leader who will oversee the implementation and management of commodity operations and school feeding activities funded by the USDA through the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Child Nutrition Program. The DCOP will report directly to the Chief of Party and will be responsible for providing both strategic and operational leadership across various functions, including commodity management, logistics coordination, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring that school feeding interventions are effectively delivered, thereby improving the nutrition and educational outcomes for children in Malawi. This position is open to both national and international applicants, with a preference for Malawian nationals in line with CARE’s localization strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Chief of Party will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include leading the planning and execution of USDA food imports and local commodity procurement processes. The DCOP will oversee the implementation of school feeding programs to ensure that food is distributed timely and effectively to targeted schools. This includes developing and managing operational plans that cover logistics, inventory management, field operations, and monitoring systems. The role requires close coordination with finance, logistics, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and country office teams to ensure seamless program delivery. Additionally, the DCOP will ensure compliance with USDA regulations and CARE policies, maintain robust commodity tracking and reporting systems, and monitor commodity pipelines to prevent disruptions in school feeding activities. The DCOP will also supervise service providers, address operational challenges, and promote community ownership of school feeding initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Deputy Chief of Party position should possess a strong background in program management, particularly in food security, nutrition, or education sectors. They should have demonstrated experience in managing large-scale commodity operations and school feeding programs. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and supervise staff, are essential. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling them to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including government ministries, donors, and local communities. A thorough understanding of USDA regulations and compliance requirements is also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, public health, nutrition, or business administration is required. A master’s degree in a related field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for this leadership role.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in program management, with at least 5-7 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian or development sector. Experience in managing food security or nutrition programs, particularly in a leadership capacity, is highly desirable. Familiarity with USDA-funded programs and compliance requirements will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Malawi would be considered a valuable asset, enhancing communication with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve both national and international recruitment. The role is critical to the success of the TIWOLOKA project, and the selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the overall sustainability and impact of the program. Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with experience and in line with CARE International's policies.