Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), Operations

About this role

POSITION TITLE: Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), Operations

LOCATION: Dhaka, Bangladesh

GROUP: Agriculture, Resilience, and Water

REPORTS TO: Chief of Party

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The Systems for Expanded Trade and Uptake (SETU) project is a five-year USDA Food for Progress initiative implemented by Winrock International in Bangladesh. SETU seeks to expand international trade in agricultural goods by improving the efficiency, transparency, predictability, and effectiveness of trade related processes and institutions. The project will strengthen the trade enabling environment through four complementary areas of work: improving legal frameworks and processes for trade and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures; operationalizing risk management systems; increasing private sector engagement in trade related reforms; and strengthening trade infrastructure and access to finance. Through these activities, SETU will work with Government of Bangladesh agencies, private sector stakeholders, financial institutions, and other partners to reduce unnecessary trade costs and delays, improve regulatory coordination and compliance with international standards, and create a more predictable environment for agricultural trade and investment.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The DCOP Operations will serve as a member of the project’s senior management team and support the Chief of Party in overall project management, with primary responsibility for project operations, finance, procurement, human resources, administration, compliance, and operational oversight of grants, subcontracts, and consultants. The DCOP Operations will ensure that project resources and operational systems effectively support technical implementation and comply with USDA requirements, Winrock policies and procedures, and applicable Government of Bangladesh laws and regulations. The position will supervise the project’s operations and finance functions, coordinate closely with Winrock Home Office.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the COP in overall project management, strategic planning, annual work planning, budgeting, resource allocation, risk management, and achievement of project objectives and deliverables.

• Lead and supervise SETU’s operations and finance functions, including finance and accounting, procurement, human resources, administration, office management, logistics, property and inventory, information technology, security, and other operational support functions.

• Directly supervise and provide leadership to the Finance Manager and other operations staff and ensure clear roles, effective workflows, appropriate segregation of duties, and timely completion of operational responsibilities.

• Establish, maintain, and continuously strengthen project operational systems, internal controls, standard operating procedures, documentation, and records in accordance with USDA requirements, Winrock policies, and applicable Bangladesh laws and regulations.

• Oversee project financial management in coordination with the Finance Manager and Home Office, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, reconciliations, audit readiness, and monitoring of budget performance against approved activities.

• Support the financial and operational requirements associated with SETU’s Food for Progress commodity monetization activities and ensure appropriate coordination, documentation, financial controls, and reporting.

• Oversee procurement planning and implementation, including procurement of technical assistance, IT firms, consultants, equipment, services, and other goods required for project implementation. Ensure procurements are timely, competitive, appropriately documented, and compliant with applicable requirements.

• Provide operational and compliance oversight of project subcontracts as well as consultants, vendors, and other service providers. Monitor contractual requirements, deliverables, periods of performance, invoicing, and operational compliance.

• Oversee the operational, financial, and compliance aspects of SETU’s grants and financing mechanisms, coordinating closely with technical staff and Home Office to ensure appropriate due diligence, internal controls, documentation, monitoring, and partner accountability.

• Lead project HR and personnel administration, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, staff development, personnel records, payroll coordination, employee relations, and compliance with Winrock policies and Bangladesh labor requirements.

• Work closely with technical leads to translate work plans into realistic procurement, staffing, contracting, grants, travel, and operational requirements and proactively identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks.

• Coordinate with the MEL Manager and technical teams to ensure operational and financial information contributes to accurate USDA reporting, performance monitoring, learning, and adaptive management.

• Support preparation and timely submission of project financial, procurement, operational, and other required reports and contribute to annual work plans, progress reports, and other USDA deliverables.

• Maintain strong coordination with Winrock Home Office project management, finance, contracts, procurement, HR, security, and other support functions to ensure timely decisions and consistent application of organizational requirements.

• Maintain project readiness for internal and external audits, reviews, and monitoring visits and ensure timely resolution of compliance findings or operational issues.

• Support the COP in maintaining effective working relationships with USDA, Government of Bangladesh counterparts, financial institutions, subcontractors, private sector partners, and other stakeholders on operational and administrative matters.

• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, collaboration, sound stewardship, and continuous improvement across the project team.

• Other…