Chief of Party, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, Nigeria 394 views1 applications

Overview

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

Chief of Party, Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, Nigeria

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services funded by USAID in Nigeria. The anticipated project will accomplish sustainable delivery of extension services to smallholder farms which will result in increased sales of inputs and quality services across 7 states. The 5-year activity is envisioned to start in 2019.

ACDI/VOCA seeks a dynamic and progressive professional who brings technical expertise in large scale quality extension services, agribusiness or value chain development as well as proven experience engaging diverse stakeholders such as academic institutions, government agencies, communities, financial institutions and agricultural service providers for sustainability of the project interventions. The position will provide overall strategic direction in the design, management, implementation and overall quality assurance of the project. The COP will oversee a team of experts and support staff, prepare reports and annual operating plans, align project initiatives with in-country priorities and ensure the program is compliant with USAID and ACDI/VOCA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and overall management of the program in line with USAID guidelines to achieve objectives;
• Oversee program administration, operations, implementation, and fiscal management to ensure financial activity aligns with budget allocations, internal policies, and donor regulations;
• Ensure high quality technical leadership and oversight is in place for the program;
• Lead team to provide effective coordination and guidance among academic institutions, Local Government Areas, smallholder farmers, service providers and other key stakeholders;
• Support the development of strong M&E mechanisms, program monitoring tools and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation;
• Establish compliance with USG regulations, procedures and ACDI/VOCA guidelines;
• Represent ACDI/VOCA with partners and key stakeholders, maintain positive relationships with USAID, local authorities, and the country office team;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where the project team strives to achieve excellence;
• Ensure reports, work plans, and other program deliverables are timely and of high quality;
• Identify and effectively manage all key risks related to the program, including compliance with donor transparency and due diligence requirements.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Business Administration, Development studies, or similar is preferred; Bachelor’s Degree is required;
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in designing, managing and implementing large agribusiness and/or value chain programs;
• At least five years’ experience in Chief of party, Project Director or similar senior management position, preferably in Africa, including managing budgets and personnel, motivating and supervising technical staff;
• Experience with Feed the Future Programs is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to manage a medium-to-large team, dispersed across a wide geographic area;
• In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches and regulations;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in team situations;
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.