Chief of Party - USAID/Nigeria Agriculture Value Chains Activity

Position Description

• The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for the overall management of the project. This includes quality control and supervising all elements of the program and tracking implementation of the work plan.
• The COP will be the primary contact with USAID/Nigeria staff, including the Contracting Officer (CO) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and other key stakeholders and partners integral to the overall implementation of the project.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical direction and leadership, including overall planning and management of activities and higher-level administrative, compliance, and financial oversight.
• Lead, oversee, and manage project staff (direct reports) and select consultants in achieving results.
• Ensure activities are aligned with the project’s theory of change, objectives, and goals, and approved annual work plans.
• Responsible for annual work planning and technical direction of activities.
• Plan and lead participatory planning processes with USAID and the project team.
• Oversee management of staff and consultants for the coordination of technical deliverables.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting to USAID on all project areas.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key institutions and stakeholders across various sectors and regions.
• Oversee implementation of project’s monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure project results are met.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree (master’s or higher) in agriculture, private sector, trade, economics, business administration, political economy, public administration, public policy, or related fields.
• Ten (10) or more years of international experience with relevant technical experience in agricultural development, food security, or related areas.
• Chief of Party experience, managing large—preferably $25 million and above—value chains and agricultural development activities in Africa. Nigeria experience a plus.
• Demonstrated managerial and supervisory experience, including supervising, and managing direct reports.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs in multiple economic growth and agriculture-related fields.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required.
• Experience in overseeing and assembling cross-functional and dynamic teams.
• Demonstrated experience and interpersonal skills to manage a consortium of stakeholders such as government officials at various levels, as well as non-government organizations (including private sector, local civil society, and other development activities).
• Ability to work in complex environments and across cultures.