Chief of Party, Anticipated USDA Food for Progress (FFPr) Program

Job Description

RTI’s International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. RTI leverages its experience in designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to build resilience and prosperity and promote economic growth and security around the world.

Project Description:

RTI is seeking Chief of Party (COP) candidates for anticipated future 3-5 year Food for Progress (FFPr) Programs in multiple locations including Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. The Food for Progress (FFPr) Program provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities to developing countries and emerging democracies committed to introducing and expanding free enterprise in the agricultural sector. Food for Progress has two high-level strategic objectives: (1) increase agricultural productivity, and (2) expand trade of agricultural products (domestically, regionally, and internationally).

Position Overview:

The Chief of Party will serve as primary liaison and representative with the USDA client and will be responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and leadership of Food for Progress (FFPr) Program activities. The COP will be responsible for assuring that all assistance provided under the contract is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed. This includes leading and overseeing all aspects of program strategy development, planning, implementation, review, surveillance, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), and operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall management and vision of the project, including leading planning, oversight, and coordination of all project activities and personnel. Serves as the primary liaison between USDA country client and RTI, managing overall client relationship and ensuring all contractual technical deliverables and reporting requirements are met and in compliance with contractual requirements and RTI standards.??

• Serves as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders and counterparts regarding overall policy, resource mobilization and allocation, joint initiatives, and coordination of project management and planning.??

• Supervises senior technical and operational staff, leading performance planning, development and evaluation processes. Ensures staff development and career progression.

• Oversees recruiting/mobilization for international and local staff, both long and short term.

• Oversees the project leadership team and conducts regular meetings to ensure overall execution of project vision and efficient and cost-effective achievement of all results.?

• Oversees performance MEL to ensure all project targets are met or exceeded, making recommendations for improvement in project implementation.?

• Responsible for developing and implementing inclusive and supportive workplace practices to ensure a high level of staff morale and retention.?

• Ensure that systems are in place and deployed to track expenditures (including labor) and monitor same against the Program work plan and budget, according to both company policy and client standards/regulations

• Bachelor’s Degree and 15 years of experience, Master’s degree and 12 years of experience, PhD and 8 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 8+ years of management and leadership experience, managing large USG donor-funded projects of similar size ($20+ million or more) in developing countries.

• Prior experience as a Chief of Party leading USG-funded programs in developing countries; USDA donor experience is strongly preferred. Experience working in FFPr priority countries preferred including Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Vietnam strongly preferred.

• Technical knowledge and experience implementing programs focused on agricultural productivity and/or trade of agricultural products.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain professional relationships with host country government counterparts and a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector businesses, associates, and civil society organizations.?

• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and an ability to manage projects with remote offices and team members.??

• Demonstrated experience utilizing adaptative management to successfully guide programming.??

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.?

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