Chief of Party, USAID Nigeria Food Basket Activity at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

The Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated five-year USAID Food Basket activity is responsible for overseeing implementation and program delivery, managing staff and budget, and stakeholder management. The COP is responsible for ensuring the program meets its goals and objectives while remaining compliant with both TechnoServe and USAID rules and regulations.

The activity is expected to start in 2025, and this position will be based in Nigeria (specific location to be determined).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead overall program strategy in collaboration with partners to improve the competitiveness of the local food processing sector to produce safe and nutritious food, increase smallholder market access, and availability of nutritious foods to low-income
• Set annual targets, develop and execute annual work plans and budget, implement M&E plan, and lead course correction if needed.
• Lead technical, programmatic, financial, and management guidance and support for all activities.
• Ensure that project objectives, outcomes, and deliverables are met in accordance with approved work plans and budgets.
• Manage project troubleshooting, ensuring timely and effective response to issues raised.
• Ensure cost-effective delivery of results.
• Support team to develop effective monitoring and evaluation plans, disseminate results and learning and produce quality reports.
• Manage and coordinate program staff consisting of technical, financial, and administrative program professionals to deliver results and ensure responsive and efficient project operations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff, consultants, and managers to ensure program delivery, staff performance, and retention.
• Ensure project finances, management practices, and operational and reporting requirements are in compliance with TechnoServe and USAID contractual rules and regulations.
• Support staff in understanding and implementing TechnoServe and USAID’s systems and processes, rules and regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting to USAID.
• Primary contact and liaison with USAID, program partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective outreach, collaboration, and lesson sharing with the private sector and public institutions.
• Lead program networking to ensure effective coordination with other food processing programs.
• Liaise with the Global Director, Local Food Systems, in coordination with other food processing programs, lessons, best practices, and alignment with broader consortium actors.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of experience or a Master’s degree with at least 8 years of experience, with a background in agricultural economics, international development, business, economics, public policy, or other relevant areas.
• At least seven years of experience in value chain development, private sector engagement, and agricultural development (in similar complexity to this anticipated USAID program).
• Prior Chief of Party/Program Lead experience, with a minimum of three years of experience managing large international donor programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Private sector experience, particularly in Feed the Future countries.
• Experience implementing USAID-funded programs and knowledge of USAID regulations and procedures.
• Build win-win partnerships between multiple food system sector stakeholders, including agribusinesses, food processors, public sector, financial institutions, technology providers, and others.
• Demonstrated 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.
• Demonstrated ability to use adaptive management principles to make strategic, data-driven decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
• Results-oriented, with demonstrated experience in achieving project targets.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Travel: Up to 40% of travel is expected

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills and demonstrated experience in managing complex, multi-disciplinary, and challenging field operations in developing countries.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to effectively motivate and manage teams in a multicultural environment.
• Strong private sector market orientation, entrepreneurial and innovative thinker.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving, consensus building, and coordination of diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks and activities.
• Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports.

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