As Deputy Team Leader (DTL) for the Digital Connectivity project in Central Asia, you will work under the supervision of  the Team Leader to support the coordination, planning, and implementation of project activities across the four components of the project in the five countries targeted in Central Asia, with a particular focus on internal coherence and operational alignment. The DTL will act as the Team Leader’s delegate when necessary and support the coordination of all activities, implemented by Expertise France and European partners when necessary. The DTL will also serve as the primary liaison for day-to-day work with the Central Asian partners and the delegated focal points for all project activities.

Key Responsibilities (non-exhaustive list, subject to changes):

Project Coordination and Strategic Support

• Support the TL in ensuring that the general implementation strategy of the project is readable for the Central Asian partners.
• Support the TL in ensuring narrative coherence and alignment across project components and outputs
• Contribute to the management of project budgets, timelines and work plans, to ensure efficient and effective project implementation
•   Functional management of the support staff  when delegated by the TL
• Participate in internal strategic and operational planning, including project review exercises and risk analysis.
• Monitor implementation timelines and contribute to project reporting cycles (monthly, quarterly, and annual reports). 
• Ensure coordination of the project implementation among countries, provide backstopping support, and approve key documents and deliverables.
• Contribute with the TL to the coordination with other European implementing partners, organising regular consortium meetings and committees, and to the implementation and management of coordination tools.
• Act as the preferred contact point in Kazakhstan between partners and Kazakh authorities (responsible for liaison with the country)

Internal Process Management

• Organize and facilitate internal coordination processes, including project planning, contractual implementation, technical workshops, and review meetings.
• Participate to the effective coordination between support team, Country Advisors, Component Leads, and Technical Experts.
• Contribute to the monitoring and quality control of project deliverables and outputs, notably through the review and validation of planning tools prior to coordination meetings to prepare SITREP, quality MEAL data collection, etc.
• Ensure compliance with the specifications/contract, anticipate and manage risks and developments relating to the project and alert hierarchy if necessary.

Liaison and Representation

• Represent the project in meetings, conferences, and coordination bodies in the absence of the TL or upon delegation.
• Support partner relationship management and contribute to external communications and visibility efforts.

Cross-Cutting Coordination

• Coordinate communication activities and supervise the work of communications experts.
• Ensure visibility actions are aligned with EU and Expertise France communication guidelines.
• Facilitate knowledge management and capitalization across components and countries.
• Contribute to MEAL activities, internal and external reporting, in close collaboration with MEAL Coordinator