**The World at Abt** Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. Our team includes experts in policy, science, finance and natural resource management. We also work with colleagues in economic analysis, engineering, agriculture, finance and public health. Our work on climate change seeks to construct the building blocks of low-emission, climate-resilient communities. We work throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East for chiefly governmental clients, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others. To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance. **The Opportunity** Abt is seeking candidates to serve as Deputy Team Leader for an upcoming tender opportunity funded by FCDO titled Congo Basin Forestry Action Program (CBFAP), particularly the “Forest for Local Communities” component of CBFAP. CBFAP is a seven-year program to support effective forest governance and markets reform; provide grassroots support to local communities; mobilize private sector finance for forests; and drive reform, ambition and cooperation. Forests for Local Communities (FLC) focuses these efforts across four Congo Basin countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Gabon). The primary objective is to increase participation, transparency, and accountability in forest land use planning and decision-making processes. Through this objective, FLC aims to improve forest and land use governance and forest management solutions that support forest-dependent communities. The Deputy Team Leader will be responsible for assisting the Team Leader with the management and delivery of both the FLC program and the FLC team. These responsibilities include primary engagement with FCDO client representatives, representation of FLC to external governmental and non-governmental stakeholders; and managing relationships with local organizations, other programs operating in the region, and other Abt program staff. Location - The successful candidates will be based in Kinshasa, with travel across the Congo Basin as required. **Core Responsibilities** + Support the Team Leader in developing and maintaining relationships with FCDO points of contact in the program countries. + Assist the Team Leader in reporting regularly to FCDO by fulfilling formal reporting requirements and reporting on an informal basis as needed. + Work with the Team Leader to develop and cultivate working relationships with key stakeholders in both other Congo Basin countries and the UK and working to ensure coordination on program delivery. + Work with the Team Leader to build strong relationships with partner firms as well as other consultants and technical experts engaged in program delivery. + Assist in the management of working relationships with leaders of other development programs to find commonalities and synergies where possible. + Support the overall management of the program and program staff. + Assist in the management of other relationships critical to successful program delivery, including local governments, other agencies, partners, and other stakeholders. + Support the Team Leader with oversight and quality management for the program, ensuring that all outputs are delivered on time and within budget, and that deliverables conform to and comply with FCDO requirements and expectations. **What We Value** + Master’s degree or equivalent or higher, preferable. + At least four years of experience assisting in the management of large and complex donor-funded programs funded (preferably FCDO), preferably in DRC and other Congo Basin countries. + Technical expertise in at least one or more of the following areas: forestry and sustainable land use, market systems development, land tenure and resource rights, and forest commodity value chains. + Experience working with local communities, ideally in Congo Basin countries. + Experience working in interdisciplinary and complex teams. + Strong oral and written communication skills in both English and French. **What We Offer** We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development. Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply. Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment. Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/) . In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures. Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries. At Abt Global, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.