Chief of Party

POSITION TITLE:            Chief of Party (COP)

LOCATION:                      Nairobi, Kenya 

Winrock International is a leading non-profit organization that works around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock strengthens the capacity of women, children, youth, civil society organizations, and businesses to actively participate in sustainable development and to positively impact society.

The Agriculture, Resilience and Water (ARW) group partners with rural communities, businesses, and local leaders to develop market-oriented, climate-smart solutions at scale that increase food production and profitability, expand market access, secure natural resources, and build resilient livelihoods. Using a systems lens, we apply local and global expertise to advance inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic growth for all, especially the historically marginalized.

Winrock is seeking a Chief of Party to lead a dynamic team in implementing an anticipated $10-18M USDA-funded project to assist farmers, firms, and the public sector to build a more resilient agri-food system in Kenya or Ghana and expand markets and trade of agricultural products.

Qualified Kenyan or Ghanian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE:

The Chief of Party will be responsible for overall project management, administration, and implementation of the project. They will maintain systems for project operations; ensure that all award deadlines are met, and targets are achieved; oversee project staff; and coordinate and maintain working relationships with project stakeholders, including government ministries, private sector firms and industry groups, subgrantees and/or subcontractors, other development projects, short-term technical assistance providers, and local institutions. They will lead collaborative initiatives to ensure all approaches are sustainable, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based.

Essential Responsibilities:

Coordination

• Work in close partnership with donor to ensure alignment of project with donor’s strategic goals and objectives for Agricultural Productivity and Expanding Markets and Trade, and application of program-wide learning and collaboration.
• Coordinate and collaborate with host government programs and other donor projects to leverage resources and maximize results.

Technical

• Design and lead a technical approach that supports increased use of sustainable and scalable agricultural practices and technologies in diversified crop production, expands markets and market access, and increases trade of agricultural products.
• Monitor project performance through indicators and evaluate program effectiveness and results.
• Apply adaptive management and learning approach to iteratively evaluate program results and impact. Institute adjustments to replicate and scale successful activities and course correct activities that are not yielding desired results.

Administration and Leadership

• Provide administrative direction and technical input on climate smart agricultural practices to project staff, consultants, and partners, including identifying and responding to training and mentorship needs.

• Ensures staff compliance with all USDA administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
• Maintain close communication with Winrock home office and USDA to provide ongoing, informal, updates or project progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Academic degree in international development, business, finance, management, or other relevant fields. Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience managing value chain development and/or complex economic growth programs, including leadership of private sector sourcing.
• Senior level management experience on donor-funded programs is required. Previous COP experience on USG funded agribusiness, value chain, or market system development projects, or equivalent private sector management experience is preferred.
• Experience designing, implementing, and coaching project staff and partners on systems-based interventions required.
• Experience operationalizing the collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) framework in project implementation.
• Experience integrating social and behavioral change communications into the design of training and capacity building programs. 
• Experience developing partnerships with private sector actors aligned around shared value.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Ability to diplomatically supervise staff and coordinate activities with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Ability to build coalitions and networks with public and private sector actors that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions.
• Must be comfortable in high-level representational role as well as interacting with project participants.
• Demonstrated understanding of USG M&E frameworks and reporting systems. Skills in knowledge management, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, data analysis, collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) approach preferred.
• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills are required.
• Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are required.

Other:  Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Swahili, and professional experience in Kenya or Ghana, are highly desired.

Winrock is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal treatment for all people. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by law. 
At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation.