Chief of Party – USDA – Uganda 412 views0 applications

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

*This position is contingent on the proposal acceptance by USDA.

FUNCTION

Heifer International is currently recruiting a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USDA-funded Food for Progress $15+ million project in Uganda that is expected to raise incomes through increased agricultural productivity and expanded commerce & trade.

The Chief of Party is expected to provide overall vision, general management, technical expertise and administrative and financial oversight for the program. S/he is responsible for meeting all objectives of the initiative, including achievement of results as well as grant management requirements of the USG in general, and USDA in particular. The COP will coordinate and lead the program team, consortium members, other implementing partners, public and private sector partners, government stakeholders, and will liaise with USDA as necessary.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Technical Program Strategy:

• Lead, supervise and manage core project staff and team. Works closely with Heifer headquarters management and support staff (including finance, administration, and program) to ensure alignment with USDA guidelines to achieve objectives
• Provide technical direction and leadership to design work plans and implement relevant activities that meet the goals and objectives of the program. Manage timely technical delivery of the program activities, strategize, set priorities, lead the implementation and review technical progress on program implementation

Program Management and Administration:

• Oversee program administration, operations, implementation, and fiscal management to ensure technical and financial activity aligns with the scope and budget allocations, internal policies, and donor regulations
• Manage all operations related to the project according to the annual work plan, project documents, and implementation strategy

Program Quality:

• Oversee and support staff in the implementation of project monitoring and evaluation activities, to ensure that program results are met on time, and adapt activities as necessary to achieve expected outcomes aligned with USDA FFP requirements
• Ensure the delivery of quality training, technical assistance, and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies and government, including the selection and coordination of sub-grantees and consultants

Representation:

• Represent and serve as Heifer’s principal liaison with USDA representatives, Ugandan government counterparts, representatives from the international community, and local community stakeholders on program communications and technical implementation of activities
• Serve as primary contact to USDA, the public and private sector, and the host country government, taking responsibility for addressing all matters related to the program

Human Resource Management:

• Manage the recruitment of a team of skilled, competent, qualified and innovative program and technical staff, in collaboration with Heifer regional and country program management
• Ensure staff compliance with all USDA and Heifer administrative, operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree with an accredited university in economics, agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, management, international development, or a related field of study or equivalent work experience required.
• Minimum 10 years of increasingly higher levels of responsibility working in international development, preferably in commercial value chains, food security, and economic growth and/or market systems with an emphasis on development and marketing of agricultural products, SME development, mechanization and input supply, financial inclusion, international food safety standards, regulations and policy harmonization;
• Minimum of 5 years of Chief of Party experience managing large, complex programs, such as on USAID or USDA economic growth, livelihoods, rural agriculture or food security;
• Demonstrated capabilities in managing complex programs, including financial management of subgrantees, subcontracts or partners;
• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, private sector companies along the agriculture market systems from farmer to end market required Knowledge of the social, economic, and political context governing rural economic development and food security in Uganda;
• Experience overseeing a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) staff and MEL systems, and incorporating learning agendas and collaborating learning and adapting into program activities;
• Knowledge of US Government regulations, policies, and procedures, preferably USDA, or those of an equivalently complex international government funding organization;
• Familiarity with and commitment to gender and youth integration into program activities;
• High level of leadership, interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders;
• Exceptional analytical and communication skills; verbal and writing, including submission of high-quality reports to donors.