Deputy Chief of Party - Operations, USAID Jordan - Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA)

A JOB OPPORTUNITY AT
GOPA Group US A JOB THAT INSPIRES YOU
GOPA Group US is seeking a highly qualified Deputy Chief of Party - Operations (DCOP - Operations) candidate to provide leadership and oversight of all operational, financial, and compliance aspects for the anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA). This full-time position, based in Amman, Jordan, is contingent upon GOPA Group US securing the project award and USAID’s approval of key personnel. The DCOP - Operations will oversee the day-to-day financial, procurement, compliance, and administrative functions, ensuring the smooth implementation of operational processes and adherence to USAID policies. This role is critical to maintaining project efficiency and ensuring alignment with the technical and strategic goals of the AURA project.

Nota Bene: USAID has clarified that Key Personnel under AURA do not have to be exclusive to any consortium’s proposal, allowing qualified individuals to be included on multiple bids. 

ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management and Compliance:

• Lead the financial management of the project, ensuring compliance with USAID financial policies, reporting requirements, and Automated Directives System (ADS) regulations.
• Oversee the development and management of budgets, financial forecasts, and scenario-based planning to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with project goals.
• Monitor project expenditures and enforce financial controls to prevent overspending and fraud.
• Ensure the timely submission of financial reports and accurate documentation for audits and donor reviews.

Grants and Procurement Oversight:

• Manage the implementation of grants under contract (GUCs), ensuring compliance with USAID’s procurement policies and financial guidelines.
• Develop and oversee procurement processes to ensure transparency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness in all purchases.
• Coordinate with the technical team to ensure smooth procurement of goods and services required for program activities.
• Maintain an accurate procurement tracker to monitor contracts, deliveries, and payments.

Operations and Administration:

• Lead all operational and administrative functions, ensuring efficiency and alignment with USAID compliance standards.
• Develop operational strategies to streamline logistics, office management, HR, and administrative processes, supporting smooth program implementation.
• Oversee payroll, benefits administration, and staff contracts to ensure compliance with local labor laws and USAID requirements.
• Ensure procurement and HR processes align with programmatic needs while maintaining transparency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide operational support to COP and DCOP - Technical by optimizing administrative processes to enable technical teams to focus on program delivery.

Coordination and Team Management:

• Work closely with the COP and DCOP - Technical to ensure that all operational activities align seamlessly with the project’s technical components and timelines.
• Collaborate with the DCOP - Technical to integrate operational processes into MEL systems, ensuring operational data supports the tracking of compliance, procurement performance, financial milestones, and other technical team needs.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison between the project and USAID finance, procurement, and compliance representatives.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing between operational and technical teams to ensure efficient procurement, logistics, and administrative processes.
• Ensure operational activities support the goal of building GAM’s institutional capacity for sustainable operations.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks related to finance, procurement, and compliance.
• Develop compliance tracking tools to monitor alignment with USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) and environmental safeguards.
• Monitor compliance issues and collaborate with USAID representatives to ensure smooth resolution.
• Lead financial and procurement audits and ensure documentation is accurate and ready for donor reviews.
• Develop contingency plans for procurement or logistical delays to ensure project timelines are met, addressing supply chain risks or contractor performance issues.

A BACKGROUND THAT CONVINCES US
QualificationsEducation:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in operations management, business administration, public administration, finance, international development, or a related field. A combination of a Bachelor’s degree and significant relevant experience will also be considered.

Experience:

• 8+ years of progressive experience managing the operations, finance, or administration of complex, donor-funded projects, with at least 5 years of leadership experience in a USAID-funded or similar international development project.
• Proven success in budget management, financial forecasting, risk mitigation, procurement oversight, logistics and HR.
• Extensive experience managing grants under contract (GUCs) and ensuring compliance with USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS).
• Demonstrated ability to lead logistics, HR, procurement, and administrative functions in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience working in the Middle East or Jordan is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with MEL integration and USAID reporting systems is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Exceptional financial and operational management skills, including expertise in budgeting, forecasting, grants under contract (GUC) oversight, procurement, HR, and logistics.
• Proven leadership skills, managing multi-disciplinary teams across finance, procurement, logistics, and administration.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Proficiency in financial management software and operational tools for budget tracking, compliance reporting, and procurement monitoring.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across technical, operational, and donor teams.
• Fluency in Arabic and English is required, given the need for close collaboration with local and international stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to build institutional capacity for long-term sustainability, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and support for GAM operations.

About Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA)GOPA Group US is competing to implement the anticipated $25-50 million USAID-funded Amman Urban Resilience Activity (AURA), a multi-sector initiative to enhance local governance, urban resilience, and decarbonization within the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM). AURA addresses climate vulnerabilities, promotes data-driven urban planning, and mobilizes innovative financing to align GAM with local and national climate goals. Through public-private partnerships and community engagement, the project aims to foster sustainable development, improve quality of life, and advance both adaptation and mitigation efforts.

At its core, AURA will strengthen GAM’s capacity to implement climate solutions, tackling challenges such as extreme weather, energy inefficiency, and public service delivery gaps, while promoting equity, inclusivity, and gender-sensitive governance. With a focus on resilient infrastructure, climate finance, and sustainable urban systems, AURA seeks to transform Amman into a prosperous, climate-resilient city.

This project offers career-defining opportunities for professionals to lead impactful urban development initiatives at the intersection of governance, climate action, and urban planning. As Amman confronts climate change and rapid urbanization, AURA’s efforts will be pivotal in delivering sustainable solutions, improving public services, and building resilient infrastructure for the future.