Deputy Chief of Party - Mali Market Systems Activity

Job Description

Project Background:
The USAID-funded Mali Market Systems Activity, Sɛnɛ Sugu (“agricultural market” in Bambara), is a five - year project, starting in early 2021 and implemented by CNFA. Sene Sugu aims to empower private and public market actors across the market system in 46 communes in the Sikasso sub-zone to affect sustainable, systemic change. Sɛnɛ Sugu interventions will address constraints to and foster beneficial relationships across the market system, transforming it from fragmented and informal to vibrant, organized, and inclusive.

Job Location:
Sikasso, Mali

Position and Responsibilities:
The DCOP will support the Chief of Party (COP) in providing the strategic vision, leadership and day to day management of the project. Under the direct supervision of the COP, the DCOP will lead technical implementation across the program’s three functional teams: market systems, inputs, and nutrition to provide appropriate, consistent, effective, and regionally contextualized technical support and assistance in all target areas and ensure that the project objectives are results-oriented, meeting their targets with high-quality deliverables on-time and within budget. He will manage daily project activities and ensure compliance with CNFA’s policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations. He will contribute to the development of all required project reports to USAID. The DCOP will collaborate closely with all stakeholders, in particular with the sister Production Program in Sikasso, relevant Malian regional and central government institutions and other partners working in the same geographic areas. The DCOP is responsible for ensuring the continuation of all project activities in the absence of the COP. The DCOP will be based in Sikasso, Mali, and manages Regional Office in Sikasso.

The specific responsibilities of the DCOP include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate closely with the COP on all technical matters;
• Provide technical expertise and leadership for the design and implementation of the technical program areas and daily oversight of project activities;
• Provide guidance and supervision to technical staff and ensure clear roles and responsibilities and maintain clear lines of communication with project team members;
• Collaborate with in-country technical advisors/consultants and CNFA HQ-based technical staff to ensure the project is implemented according to organization and industry best practices, program framework, and regulations;
• Oversee technical outputs of all partner organizations through regular field visits and facilitate work planning and regular technical meetings for all consortium partners;
• Provide support to the overall leadership and management of the project, ensuring strategic program direction, managed growth, and compliance with organizational policies and procedures and donor regulations;
• Promote sustainability of project activities with effective networking, coordination and linkages to other programs, partners and counterparts, capacity building of project staff, and institutional strengthening of implementing partners and community-based organizations;
• Contribute to timely and accurate donor reporting;
• Supervise the recruitment, hiring, and management of technical staff and consultants;
• Support performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support;
• Represent the project in technical meetings, conferences, and coordination platforms;
• Manage Regional Office in Sikasso; and
• Serve as the primary technical program representative in the absence/temporary leave of the COP.

Key Qualifications:

• 10+ years’ experience in senior technical management of international development programs of similar or greater scope and complexity;
• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant subject or a Bachelors degree with an additional four years (making 14+ years) of relevant technical work experience in comparable settings;
• Experience with USAID programs of similar size and scope;
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking/planning, management, and presentation skills;
• Strong interpersonal and supervision skills managing multicultural and high-performing teams;
• Proven ability to establish close, trusting relationships with implementing partners, host government officials, and other donors; and
• Strong written and spoken French and English skills required.

About the Organization

Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives. They build strong local and global partnerships, incorporate innovative approaches into their programs, and foster inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups. Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $510 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 42 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

Their staff is dedicated to improving lives around the world. This strong concern carries over to the way CNFA manages its employee relations. Not only do they value their employees, but they recognize that satisfied people supporting their organization is the key to implementing their work.

CNFA has grown to over 600 employees globally. They empower staff to take on new initiatives, nurture each individual’s goals, skills and interests.