Chief of Party - Feed the Future Democratic Republic of Congo

Job Description

Opportunity

Abt Associates, a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the field of international development, seeks a qualified Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID-funded Feed the Future activity focused on building resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo. USAID defines resilience as the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth. We are looking for individuals who are committed to exceeding expectations and who strive to improve the lives of people worldwide.

The Chief of Party is responsible for overseeing the implementation of project activities, management of project staff, coordination with partner organizations, and establishing an open and constructive relationship with the client. S/he will establish and maintain systems for project operations; coordinate and maintain working relationships with project stakeholders (including ministries, high-level government officials, private sector partners, etc.); manage local implementation teams, and collaborate with local partners to improve stakeholder capacity.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and technical leadership to produce project results
• Serves as the project’s key liaison with USAID, government counterparts, and local partners/stakeholders
• Provides leadership and technical support specifically for project staff and subcontractors
• Supervises the project’s technical assistance team to ensure a focus on core results, achievement of annual work plan objectives and targets, and timely/effective implementation
• Collaboratively creates and implements a strategic, long-term programmatic vision
• Monitors the progress and pace of project implementation, assuring that the full potential of the program is realized through the promotion of high quality work and internal controls
• Ensures that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with USAID and Abt Associates requirements, procedures and practices
• Leads the development and production of all project deliverables
• Ensures that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared
• Maintains regular communication with Abt Headquarters team, in regards to project updates and general project management aspects

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Master’s degree or PhD and at least 10 years of senior-level international project management experience in designing, implementing, and managing large, complex agriculture or institutional strengthening and capacity building programs in developing countries, particularly those funded by Feed the Future, Food for Peace or other USG-funded agricultural and resilience activities
• Technical expertise in livelihoods, nutrition, agricultural economics or related fields
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated senior supervisory experience, with at least 2 years’ experience managing or implementing nutrition, agriculture or related projects in the Sahel
• Familiarity with policy issues surrounding agricultural growth and poverty reduction, M4P, systems approach, private sector development
• Existing familiarity with the USAID program cycle strongly preferred
• Experience managing programs in areas impacted by civil strife, violence, extreme weather conditions, or climate change
• Experience designing and implementing gender-sensitive and/or -responsive development programming preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English required

About the Organization

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1965, Abt Associates was built on the concept that sound information and empirical analysis are the best foundations for effective decision making. The firm blends the subject matter expertise of our staff with technical capabilities in applied research, program implementation, and data collection to shape policy, strengthen systems, measure performance, and deliver other solutions to our public and private sector clients. Examples of Abt Associates’ work include nationally recognized research, evaluation, and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, the effectiveness of government housing programs, the production of food, and the measurement of public opinion. Abt’s staff of more than 2000 includes national and international experts who are known for their understanding of communities and governments worldwide, innovative research techniques, and insightful—and often groundbreaking—analyses and recommendations. Approximately 51 percent of our staff has graduate degrees; one in six has a doctorate. Our staff’s educational and professional disciplines include economics, engineering, environmental analysis, epidemiology, food security, health, housing, international development, psychology, social science, statistics, and survey methodology. Abt’s research staff is experienced with prominent statistical software packages, including SPSS, SAS, and STATA, along with qualitative software such as NVIVO and Atlas. In 2011, Abt Associates was ranked among the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 development innovators. Abt has offices in Atlanta, Ga.; Rockville, Md.; Cambridge, Mass.; Chicago, Ill.; Durham, N.C.; and New York City and program offices in nearly 40 countries in Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. www.abtassociates.com