Location: Remote (global), with ability to work effectively within or near AST time zone
Travel: Occasional travel to the Middle East, including Yemen
Language Requirement: Arabic
About the Programme
The Yemen Flexible Funding Mechanism (YFFM) is a UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) funded initiative implemented by Chemonics UK. YFFM supports sub national stabilisation, peacebuilding, and governance in Yemen, with a strong emphasis on flexibility, responsiveness, and political sensitivity. The programme has delivered significant achievements to date, with recent milestones marking continued progress.
Chemonics UK is seeking an experienced Deputy Team Leader (DTL) for a 6 month period to cover maternity leave. The DTL will provide high level operational, financial, and programme management support to ensure continuity of delivery.
Responsibilities
The DTL will provide strategic and operational oversight to ensure the YFFM operational set up remains effective and compliant. Key responsibilities include:
- Reviewing and strengthening devolved systems and processes between HQ, the Project Office (PO), and Fund Teams.
- Providing advisory support to interventions under the Technical Assistance Facility for Yemen (TAFFY) and Yemen Support Facility (YSF).
- Supporting the Team Leader in identifying and onboarding resources required for delivery.
Governance
- Ensuring Technical Assistance Ventures (TAVs) and Draw Down Projects are developed in line with Chemonics and FCDO requirements.
- Advising on the meeting rhythm and governance structure for the PO, including agenda development and facilitation.
- Working with the Senior Programme Manager to ensure effective coordination between the PMU and PO.
HR
- Advising on recruitment and onboarding processes for PO team members.
- Supporting clarity of roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
- Providing guidance on team performance management approaches.
Finance
Working closely with the Senior Finance Manager (SFM) to:
- Ensure effective engagement with HQ financial systems and timely financial processes.
- Act as an escalation point for financial issues requiring senior decision making.
- Review and quality assure activity budgets developed by TAFFY/YSF Programme Managers.
- Maintain oversight of the core budget, including monthly forecasting.
Operations
- Advising the Operations and HR Manager to ensure procurement, HR, and operational systems remain compliant with Chemonics and FCDO standards.
- Ensuring the programme team has the necessary operational infrastructure to deliver effectively.
- Overseeing the programme workplan at a strategic level to ensure deliverables remain on track.
- Leading the development of an Exit and Handover document at the end of the consultancy period.
Reporting
- Working with the PMU reporting focal point and MREL Manager to ensure timely and high quality reporting.
- Acting as an escalation point for issues relating to PO inputs into reporting cycles.
Risk Management
- Identifying operational and delivery risks and advising on mitigation strategies.
- Ensuring risk registers and mitigation plans remain up to date and actionable.
Contractual & Compliance
- Ensuring PO manuals, policies, and processes remain compliant with Chemonics and FCDO requirements.
- Advising on updates or corrective actions where compliance gaps are identified.
Required Profile
- Fluent Arabic speaker
- Based in or able to work effectively within a time zone close to AST (Yemen, Amman, London preferred)
- Ability to travel to the Middle East, including Yemen
- Demonstrated experience in senior leadership roles in fragile and conflict affected settings
- Strong political awareness and contextual understanding of Yemen
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
- Experience delivering or overseeing medium to large scale international development programmes
- Strong operational and financial management expertise
- Prior experience working on FCDO funded programmes