Job Details

Job Description

Job Summary:

We are seeking to hire a dynamic and motivated Chief of Party to lead the anticipated 5-year Agricultural Diversification Support (ZADS) Interventions in Zambia. The Chief of Party will have overall responsibility for programme leadership, direction and management; lead reporting and engagements with USAID; maintain existing relationships with government ministries and agencies, other donor programs and relevant associations.

Program overview:

USAID/Zambia is planning to implement ZADS Interventions, to meaningfully transform Zambia’s agricultural sector into an efficient, equitable, and sustainable producer of high quality and nutritious food for consumption, sale, and trade. Targeted for implementation in the Copperbelt, Central and Eastern Provinces, this transition will foster growth in Zambia’s agricultural sector and enhance resilience to climate shocks while improving the market competitiveness of the targeted commodities. Additionally, the activity will increase the diversity of select nutritious commodities that hold the potential to improve dietary consumption at the rural household level.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Lead overall implementation and management of the program, from inception to close-out, ensuring that the program achieves established goals, objectives and targets.
• Provide strategic guidance, leadership, management and general technical oversight of the program.
• Continuously develop operational efficiencies and drive innovations in delivery.
• Oversee development and submission of project deliverables on time and within budget.
• Recruit, lead, manage, and supervise delivery teams comprising long- and short-term team members and consortium partners.
• Serve as the primary liaison with USAID/Zambia, Zambian Government, statutory bodies/institutions and all counterparts, implementing partners, and stakeholders involved with the program.
• Act as a spokesperson for the program and present its work regionally/globally.

Basic Qualifications:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in Agricultural Economics, Food Science, Business Administration or other relevant field with eight years of experience, or other relevant field (or a bachelor’s degree with twelve-plus years of experience).
• At least eight years of relevant professional experience in international development.
• Experience leading and managing large teams with a high level of leadership, interpersonal, technical, and analytical experience, as Chief of Party, Team Leader, or other Program Director level role.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that would make a candidate more desirable. We seek candidates who bring experience with:

• Experience in the following: agricultural production, market systems development, food systems and nutrition.
• Experience leading USAID or other bilateral-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Prior work experience or collaboration with private sector companies and businesses.
• Experience living and working in Zambia or other similar geography in Africa.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.
• Experience successfully implementing gender-integrated programs is a plus.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams is desired.

Required Languages: Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills, including fluency in English language.

Travel: Travel up to 50 %.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to lead diverse teams and achieve results
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and engage with a wide range of organizations (Private sector, government, NGOs)
• Ability to effectively motivate and manage teams in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and activities
• Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports
• Ability to clearly communicate a high level strategy to internal and external stakeholders, while driving execution of a work plan and achievement of short-term milestones.
• Ability to use adaptive management principles to make strategic, data-driven decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity

Supervisory Responsibilities – This position will directly supervise the supporting key personnel under this Activity.

This position is contingent upon the activity award and approval by the donor.