Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) for Implementation and PPP Team Leader at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Job ID: 20120980

Background

• USAID/WA is considering a 3-year cost and time extension of the EnGRAIS project, with a focus on four workstreams:
  • (workstream 1) Boosting the private sector-led supply of quality fertilizer and seed inputs through public-private partnerships (PPPs);
  • (workstream 2) Increasing Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) through scaling up of dissemination and adoption of innovative and efficient agricultural input packages (AIPs) under the framework of the ECOWAS Regional Agricultural Input Strategy;
  • (workstream 3) improving and harmonizing fertilizer policy and regulatory systems across West Africa in accordance with ECOWAS guidance, and
  • (workstream 4) Facilitating knowledge dissemination of large-scale, high-quality fertilizer market data.

Position Description

• IFDC is seeking to recruit a Deputy Chief of Party (DcoP) in charge of implementation and Team Leader for the first workstream of the project.
• As DCoP, he/she will be responsible for assisting the Chief of Party (COP) in the management and implementation of the project.
• More specifically he/she will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the activities in the four (4) workstreams of the project in collaboration with the team leaders.
• As the Workstream team leader for Boosting the private sector-led supply of quality fertilizer and seed inputs through public-private partnerships (PPPs) within the EnGRAIS project, he/she will be responsible for boosting the development of private sector-led supply of quality fertilizer and seed inputs through public-private partnerships.
• He/she will work closely with suppliers, distributors, and other stakeholders to ensure the timely supply of high-quality inputs to farmers in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

Duties and Responsibilities
He/she will be supervised by and report to the CoP and will be responsible for the following specific tasks:

As Deputy CoP for Implementation:

• Coordinate with the CoP in the management of technical workstreams of the project, providing leadership and support overseeing the planning of activities to meet the program’s goals and objectives.
• Together with the CoP, ensure timely submission of complete and high-quality work plans, quarterly and annual reports, financial reports, and any other reports required by the USAID
• Assist the CoP in the day-to-day operations, staff management, overall program planning, and implementation of the project.
• Represent EnGRAIS in the absence of the CoP.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the CoP.

As PPP team leader:

• Fully manage all workstream activities, initiatives, contracts/grants, consultants, and budget, including monitoring and reporting on all major activities and expenses
• Help ensure results-oriented technical workstreams and high-quality and timely deliverables and reports, focusing on synergistic coordination of all technical areas.
• Ensure the technical assistance/services provided by international and local experts and by the EnGRAIS extension team under his/her workstream, are technically sound and appropriate regarding the specific SOW and EnGRAIS extension Cooperative Agreement.

Duty station:

• He/she will be based in Abuja (Nigeria) and should be available to travel frequently within and outside the region when called upon to.
• The DCoP should be available to travel frequently within and outside the region when called upon to. 

Period:

• The position is open for the duration of the project (March 2023 - Feb 2026), subject to availability of funding.

Required Skills

• Master's Degree (equivalent) or Ph.D in Business Management, Agriculture, Agronomy, Soil Science, or another relevant field.
• Substantial experience managing complex, multi-year donor-funded programs.
• High level and strategic thinking capacity and decision-making.
• Minimum of five years of relevant work experience in agricultural program implementation and evaluation.
• Solid background and knowledge of USAID Rules and Regulations
• Experience with the regional policy makers bodies (ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS)
• Strong skills in regional policies and rules related to fertilizer.
• Key knowledge of regional fertilizer private sector stakeholders’ organization and functioning
• Ability to collaborate effectively with public and private sector partners, including donor agencies, government officials, and industry groups.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated competence in negotiation and communication.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in multi-sectoral agricultural programming.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in speaking and writing in English or French and working knowledge in the other.