Job Vacancies at Global Communities

Scope of Work (exact list may be customized to specific consultant role):

• In collaboration with GC proposal team members, conduct literature review/desk research within the selected priority country to include:
• Review and ensure familiarity with core USDA Food for Progress (FFPr) Technical and Proposal Guidance Documents.
• Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FY24 FFPr Proposals.
• Past GC proposals and existing programmatic documents as applicable.
• As needed and dependent on the target geographic area identified in the final NOFO, lead and/or support activities to update formative assessment to inform proposal design and targeting.
• Participate/present in all relevant design workshops, technical strategy-related discussions (potential to be held virtually or in the region), and proposal draft reviews. Plan for and lead certain sessions as determined by GC. This may include travel, to be agreed upon and approved by GC, or virtual participation.
• Participate in ongoing coordination calls and meetings with the proposal design team and other GC stakeholders
• Proposal Director: Drive overall program design including making recommendations on the overall and specific technical strategy and management approach.
• Technical Writer: Serve as lead writer or reviewer for key proposal components including the Introduction & Strategic Analysis and/or Plan of Operations sections, and support other section lead writers as needed. Conduct a full proposal review and serve as overall lead editor to ensure all sections are in alignment and compliant to proposal criteria; make necessary revisions for cohesion and flow between and throughout all proposal narrative sections.
• MEL Support & Writer: Lead the development and drafting of the proposal’s MEL components including the Results Framework, Performance Indicator Table, Evaluation Plan, and inputs for key resources needed for MEL budget (i.e., systems, staffing, and/or partnerships). Review other proposal components as assigned to ensure alignment across components.

Deliverables

• Participation in team and/or partnership calls and meetings, as determined necessary by program design leads and the proposal team.
• Participation in design workshop (virtual or in-person, with any travel to be approved by GC).
• Development, editing, and revision of proposal sections as assigned by GC in line with NOFO guidelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant proposal development experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing and/or drafting USDA Food for Progress proposals / programs sections is required.
• English fluency required.
• Experience in USDA Food for Progress FY25 Priority Countries (Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam) preferred.

go to method of application »

• Global Communities is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year, USDA Food for Progress project. The Food for Progress Program helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. U.S. agricultural commodities donated to recipient countries are sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural, economic, or infrastructure development programs. Food for Progress has two principal objectives: to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade in agricultural products. Past Food for Progress projects have trained farmers in animal and plant health, helped improve farming methods, developed road and utility systems, established producer cooperatives, provided microcredit, and developed agricultural value chains. Program participants have included private voluntary organizations, foreign governments, universities, and intergovernmental organizations.  
• The COP will lead and oversee the overall implementation of the program, including technical strategy, attaining targeted project deliverables, financial and operational leadership, and human resources.  The COP is responsible for overall program implementation, strategic vision, and outcome achievement.  The COP provides an integrated vision for the program and will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project. The COP will be responsible for communications with USDA, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with Government entities and other institutions/stakeholders.  

Responsibilities

• Provide program leadership, direction, and supervision, including oversight of staff, consultants, and partners, monitoring and evaluation, and program implementation. 
• Ensure implementation of technical interventions, resulting in concrete and on-time and on-target outcomes. 
• Lead regular work plan, budget, and implementation reviews to facilitate the cost-effective and timely achievement of contract deliverables.  
• Manage team members, including highly specialized technical staff, to deliver against the annual workplan. 
• Ensure project activities maximize impact and are completed in compliance with Global Communities, USDA rules and regulations, local laws, and donor agreement requirements.  
• Lead in adaptive management, achieving peak performance and facilitate innovation.  
• Wherever possible, identify opportunities to engage partners and create growth, and connect actors to find mutual opportunity and benefit.  
• Oversee the production and submission of timely activity and financial reports to USDA, effectively and accurately communicating project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.   
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of systems for project operations. 
• Act as primary point of contact for the project with USDA, government counterparts, and other critical in-country stakeholders. 
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate. 
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns. 
• Foster good working relationships with other agencies working on similar or complimentary projects, maximizing visibility and learning. 
• Be the principal point of contact with other agencies and individuals working on related projects and activities. 
• Ensure that lessons learned are disseminated and applied. 
• Liaise with Global Communities colleagues to coordinate the inputs of gender and inclusion, monitoring and evaluation and other advisory inputs to provide cross-cutting support. 
• Collaborate with Global Communities colleagues and projects in-country to ensure effective coordination of Global Communities country operations. 
• Undertake all other duties and projects as may be assigned from time to time. 
• Frequent travel to project locations required 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to agriculture, agri-business, economics, international development or other relevant field with a minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties; or, 
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to agriculture, agri-business, economics, international development, or other relevant field with a minimum of 12 years of professional experience, including managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties. 
• At least 5 years’ experience as Chief of Party, senior management position, or equivalent, leading implementation of large international donor programs. 
• Technical expertise in food security, nutrition, market systems development, value chain development, and/or climate adapted agricultural production.  
• Experience working in emerging markets with experience in USDA Food for Progress FY25 Priority Countries (Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam) preferred.  
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.  
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of USDA Food for Progress.  
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders. 
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.  
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired. 
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Must be able to use English fluently and accurately and be able to read all styles and forms on all levels pertinent to professional needs. Proficiency in additional languages is preferred.  
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities. 
• Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.