Technical Advisor

Job Description

Position Summary

CNFA is seeking a qualified candidate with previous U.S. Government (e.g., USAID, USDA) donor experience to serve as a Technical Advisor, specializing in grants/contracts management, market systems, private sector engagement, and new business development. S/he will provide technical guidance on the design and implementation of grant mechanisms and related activities and provide technical support on access to markets and finance efforts through private sector engagement, and engage in the design of technical and cost proposals.

Responsibilities

Specific Program Support Tasks

• Oversee, support, and guide the project-based grant management teams in the development and implementation of all grants-related activities under different projects under the day-to-day guidance of the respective Chiefs of Party and with the support of the CNFA HQ teams.
• Work with members of the field and HQ Program technical team to draft and launch grant solicitations, provide advisory assistance to grant applicants when preparing and submitting applications, and facilitate the evaluation of grant submissions for technical and budget soundness and compliance with donor regulations, recommending award actions.
• Coordinate with technical, finance, procurement, and other teams, both at field-based projects as well as at CNFA-HQ, the design, development and implementation of market systems, income generation and private sector development grants-related activities that enhance and add guidance and processes, as well as increase the understanding and application of regulations and contractual requirements.
• To the greatest extent possible, work as a facilitator, coach, and catalyst to empower project staff to strengthen their own skills and test their own ideas. Work should be iterative and advisory, and the Technical Advisor is expected to transfer skills, ideas and knowledge to local staff as opposed to being directive or taking on tasks that are assigned to local staff.
• Meet virtually and facilitate the CNFA team’s virtual meetings with relevant private sector, entities, government agency representatives, investment stakeholders, major agribusinesses in target sectors, local and international organizations, donor projects, and other stakeholders for relevant proposals.

Specific New Business Development Tasks

• Support the New Business Development team with the design of the technical approach and activities for proposals, especially through primary research and meetings with stakeholders.
• Provide written technical inputs for proposal technical approach, activities, and management sections, and review proposal budgets, provide feedback on costing as needed.
• Provide recruitment support, including participating in interviews for selected candidates, and participate in the identification and selection of proposal partners.

General Program Implementation Support Tasks as Needed

• Serve in interim program leadership or technical roles as required.
• Support programmatic start-up and close-out.
• Help resolve unexpected problems related to program implementation and operations.
• Support other tasks as identified by Program Team leadership.

The list of responsibilities is not meant to be exhaustive, and the Technical Advisor is free to propose other initiatives or activities that he/she believes may be relevant to CNFA Projects, while CNFA may also suggest additional tasks or modify the tasks above as may be needed as the engagement of the Technical Advisor evolves.

Given that this position requires the Technical Advisor to work across a range of different CNFA projects, specific tasks will be assigned on an ongoing basis. The day-to-day management of such tasks will be discussed in direct collaboration with field-based COPs or HQ-based Directors of Programs as appropriate, who will provide task-specific requirements and guidance.

Qualifications

Background, Education and Experience Requirements

• Master’s degree in project management, international development, agricultural economics, grants and contracts management or an equivalent combination of experience, education and training.
• At least ten years’ experience of overseas program management, implementation and/or business development experience, including sub-grants management, market systems development, and private sector engagement.
• Solid understanding of USAID/USG regulations and procedures pertaining to grants and contracts management, and ability to interpret and explain USAID/USG regulations (including 2 CFR 200, ADS 302 and 303).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects, while completing high-quality deliverables in a timely fashion.
• Excellent communication skills with superior writing skills are a must.
• Ability to work effectively in teams, including the ability to be flexible and possess interpersonal skills to interact constructively with employees at all levels.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required.

CNFA IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of CNFA to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, veteran status, or on the basis of personal favoritism or other non-merit factors, except where otherwise provided by law.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION & CONTACT INFORMATION CNFA provides a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact the CNFA Home Office Human Resources Department via email at accomodation@cnfa.org or via phone at 202-296-3920 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job with us.

Note: Positions will remain open until filled.

About the Organization

About CNFA:

CNFA is a not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to stimulating economic growth in the agricultural sector by nurturing entrepreneurship, private enterprise and market linkages. CNFA specializes in fostering private sector investments in training, new technologies and marketing as a means to increase the overall competitiveness of agricultural value chains, to expand exports, and to develop skills in the rural workforce. CNFA assists smallholders in increasing household-level food security and nutrition through improved agricultural practices, introduction of new varieties, diversification of crop production, food preservation and storage, development of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and strengthened linkages to markets.