Chief of Party

POSITION TITLE:         Chief of Party (COP)  

LOCATION:                      Hanoi, Vietnam

Winrock International (Winrock) 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 local partners including civil society organizations, and private businesses to participate in sustainable development and positively impact society. 

The Agriculture, Resilience and Water (ARW) group partners with rural communities, businesses, and local leaders to develop market-oriented agricultural solutions at scale that increase food production and profitability, expand market access, secure natural resources, and build resilient livelihoods. Using a systems approach, we apply local and global expertise to advance inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economic opportunities for all, including 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 producers, firms, and the public sector to build a more resilient agri-food system in Vietnam and expand markets and trade of agricultural products. 

Qualified Vietnamese 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 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; supervise project staff; and develop and maintain strong working relationships with project stakeholders, including government ministries, private firms and industry groups, subgrantees and/or subcontractors, other projects, technical experts, 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 the funder to ensure alignment with 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 projects to leverage resources and maximize results. 

Technical  

• Execute, lead and adapt the project’s technical approach to support increased use of sustainable and scalable agricultural production and post-production practices and technologies, expand markets and market access, and increase trade of agricultural products. 

• Monitor project performance through indicators and evaluate program effectiveness and results.  

• Apply adaptive management and learning to evaluate program results and impact. Institute adjustments to replicate and scale successful activities and course correct activities.

Administration and Leadership  

• Provide administrative and technical direction to project staff, consultants, and partners. 

• Ensure compliance with Winrock administrative and operational procedures and policies and applicable funder regulations. 

• Oversee work planning and execution, tracking progress against targets and adjusting execution as needed to meet or exceed funder expectations. 

• Maintain close communication with Winrock home office and USDA to provide ongoing, formal reporting and informal, updates or project progress.  

• Promote a positive, productive and accountable team culture and execute a one-team approach to consortium operations and team dynamics 

• Identify and respond to training and mentorship needs. 

• 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 developing partnerships with private sector actors aligned around shared value. 

• 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. 

Skills/Knowledge: 

• Ability to 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 including interacting with government and private sector stakeholders. 

• 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. 

Other:  

Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Vietnamese, and professional experience in South East Asia, 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.