Chief of Party, USDA Food for Progress at iDE Kenya

We are looking for someone who shares the above-stated views and values. The Chief of Party also must have well-developed analytical and financial skills and understand how markets for agriculture work in selected country contexts, as well as a good understanding of finance, governance, entrepreneurship, and trade facilitation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Manage, lead, and oversee all staff, consultants, and subgrantees in achieving project results.
• In conjunction with USDA and iDE headquarters, determine annual priorities and develop work plans
• Implement effective decision-making systems, including internal management, overall reporting, and communication internally and outside of iDE
• Monitor internal systems and procedures ensuring efficient and proper use of resources and ongoing collaborating, learning, and adapting.
• Ensure coordination between consortium partners, local government, and other stakeholders to promote a streamlined, cohesive approach to implementation. 
• Ensure that the program is technically sound, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of the focus country and its people. Oversee development and management of monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with USDA requirements. 
• Champion inclusive markets systems and private sector linkages.

Finance and Administration Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations on program implementation
• Provide administrative and financial management consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures, in close cooperation with the Country Director, Senior Regional Director, and other iDE headquarters staff
• Develop and maintain all administrative and financial controls
• Ensure that administration and financial procedures, practices, and reporting are effective and in compliance with iDE standards and general accounting & administrative guidelines
• Ensure that all field offices are run in compliance with established administrative and financial procedures
• Ensure adherence to relevant government regulations concerning operations for not-for-profit organizations and for maintaining the good legal standing of iDE in the country of implementation.

Human Resource Management:

Consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures, and in close cooperation with iDE headquarters HR staff, develop and manage Human Resource functions for the project, including:

• Preparation of job descriptions
• Identification, funding, and hiring of personnel
• Development and implementation of annual performance reviews for all project personnel
• Staff onboarding, professional development, and training
• Ensuring all HR practices in the project adhere to iDE policies & procedures and country-specific labor laws, insurance, and tax regulations

Liaison:

• Serve as the project’s principal liaison with USDA, key government officials, international and local organizations and key private sector representatives. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with above-mentioned stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication with iDE headquarters, including timely submissions of program reports, financial reports, planning documents, and reports to donors
• Ensure effective communication with other iDE country programs and committees
• Participate in collaborative efforts with other NGOs, national and local governments, donors, public and private sector partners, etc.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in International Development, Business, Finance, Management, Agriculture/Agri-business or related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years relevant leadership or senior management experience leading and managing complex development programs and multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Technical expertise in value chain development, agricultural production, agricultural/food safety standards, food security, nutrition, and/or market systems development
• USDA experience strongly preferred with a preference for candidates with previous COP or DCOP experience on USDA-funded projects, including in-depth knowledge of USDA’s Food for Progress (FFPr) approaches and regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and cultures
• Proven track record fostering inclusive and collaborative learning and adaptive management
• A demonstrated history of success investing in relationships with government representatives and other key partners
• Ability to work collaboratively and to foster a cooperative environment
• Proven ability to develop and manage financial management information systems
• Excellent speaking, writing, and oral communication skills in English and, as appropriate to the country context (e.g. Vietnamese, Amharic, etc.)
• Ability to think innovatively and practically and translate thinking into real world outputs. Experience with Human Centered Design and Design Thinking preferred
• Strong understanding of the policy, social, economic, environmental, and cultural context in selected countries desired
• Experience in one or more of the selected countries strongly preferred, Alternative or additional experience in similar contexts will be considered