Agriculture and Food Security Practice Manager

Job Description

Chemonics is conducting a recruit for an Agriculture and Food Security (AFS) Practice Manager in the West and Central Africa and Haiti (WCAFH) region. The AFS Manager along with the practice director, sets the strategy and workplan for the Chemonics technical practice. The practice manager executes practice initiatives and core activities to contribute to the development agenda, support business units to increase competitiveness of our proposals, and support project teams to improve performance of our projects. The practice manager provides technical research, primers, and approaches for use on Chemonics projects and proposals, establishes and maintains connections with relevant partners and industry experts, improves knowledge sharing and thought leadership to deliver technical solutions, and supports technical capacity building among staff. The manager will establish professional connections with Chemonics employees in the home- and field-offices, to facilitate the flow of technical information for application to development challenges.

The Agriculture & Food Security Practice aims to facilitate inclusive market system development while improving nutrition outcomes and climate-smart agriculture practices. The practice works with smallholder farmers and non-farm market system actors to reduce risks, improve production practices, and increase trade by assessing the market system, identifying constraints, facilitating market-based solutions to improve agriculture productivity, and using social behavior change communications to effect change.

Our regional portfolio includes fourteen projects spanning a wide range of technical sectors. West and Central Africa and Haiti’s robust new business market is equally diverse, and promises plenty of opportunities to those willing to take on new and exciting opportunities. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Support new business development for mission-based, USAID/Washington-based, and other donor programming in assigned practice by providing technical input and guidance to proposal teams, connecting Chemonics to candidates and partners within the industry, and playing a direct role in proposal development as needed
• Foster professional relationships with key clients, implementing partners, and industry experts within the sector, including USAID/Washington bureau officers
• Conduct and share research on USAID trends and agriculture and food security sector policies, and other potential clients, partners, and competitors
• Foster and support initiatives and activities with other technical practices at Chemonics, to highlight or develop corporate capability in cross-sectoral approaches
• Promote Chemonics’ approaches and results, expands Chemonics’ relationships with clients and industry actors, and captures information on leading industry thinking and best practices through participation in associations, communities of practice, and industry events
• Provide daily management and oversight to Chemonics’ Indefinite Quantity Contracts, as assigned
• Review and provide comments and inputs to project or proposal technical documents as requested
• Demonstrate strong technical knowledge and expertise through taking on leadership positions in proposal teams, representing Chemonics at external events within the industry, and serving as a reliable technical resource for project teams
• Liaison with Strategic Communication and Outreach (SCO), Practice Support Department (PSD) Editorial Support and Production (ESP), and Project Management Units (PMUs) to capture, update, and maintain information on Chemonics’ technical solutions, for internal and external distribution
• Track and annually collects company development achievement indicators related to technical sector
• Hold leadership roles on proposal teams and mentors others
• Serve as acting director as needed and contributes to meetings on directors’ behalf, as necessary
• Delegate, supervise, and evaluate performance of assigned staff. Communicates clear performance goals and standards and ensures staff receives regular constructive performance feedback, prompt resolution of problems, and time and opportunity to grow and develop in key competency areas
• Promote staff development and builds technical depth across the company through coaching, mentoring, and facilitating professional development opportunities in the technical sector
• Foster and demonstrate a workplace inclusive of creating opportunity, serving others, building trust, innovation and exceeding expectations
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of technically relevant work experience required
• Minimum of one year of supervisory experience required
• Bachelor’s degree in international development, agriculture, food security, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• Knowledge of USAID and industry trends in the technical discipline
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to effectively lead meetings, give presentations, and network within the industry
• Willingness to travel and work abroad
• Strong analytical skills demonstrated leadership skills, and ability to take initiative
• Language proficiency in French, Spanish, or Russian preferred
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor staff
• Ability to travel and work abroad in less developed countries for at least 4 to 8 weeks a year

Apply by Friday, August 19, 2022. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.

Chemonics is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics. Military veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision
Chemonics will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by Chemonics, or (c) consistent with Chemonics legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

COVID-19 Recruitment Information
Chemonics International is continuously monitoring COVID-19 activity around the world. The health and wellbeing of our staff and potential candidates is of the utmost importance to us and we continue to offer virtual interviews for all on-going recruits. On-boarding for new staff is offered in hybrid format through our Washington, D.C. and London, UK offices to accommodate remote workers.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information
Chemonics requires all US employees to be fully vaccinated.

The Salary Range for this position is expected to be: $68,560 - $85,700.

An employee’s pay position will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, and business or organizational needs.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, ESOP, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible to US based employees. Please visit https://chemonics.com/life-at-chemonics/our-benefits/ to find out more about the benefits this position is eligible for.

About the Organization

Founded in 1975, Chemonics is an international development consulting firm. In more than 70 countries around the globe, our network of 5,000 specialists share a simple belief: that the challenges we face today are best solved through the right partnerships — sharing knowledge, expertise, and experience to deliver results. As part of our culture and values, Chemonics is proud to be named a “Best Place to Work” in the Human Rights campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index. Where Chemonics works, development works. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit us at www.chemonics.com.