Chief of Party, USAID Nigeria Food Basket Activity

at  Technoserve

JOB DESCRIPTION/REQUIREMENTS

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
Program Description:
TechnoServe is preparing for a global opportunity with USAID focused on building the productivity and competitiveness of select value chains (including rice, maize, and various horticulture), and of markets by building capacities of various market actors and agribusinesses, addressing barriers to investment and productivity, and developing innovative financial products that are tailored to the specific Nigerian context.
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.
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

Please refer the Job description for details