Chief of Party (Proposed), DRC

Counterpart International is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year, USDA Title II Food for Peace Non-Emergency Program. The Food for Peace program has three principal objectives: to reduce chronic hunger and malnutrition, to improve livelihoods, and to build resilience in vulnerable communities.

The COP provides overall vision, technical, and administrative leadership for the project. The COP will manage a team of senior staff to ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the project. The COP will be responsible for communications with USDA, for publicly representing the project, and for liaising with government entities and broader stakeholders.

The COP is responsible for ensuring that implementation adheres to standards of technical quality in accordance with USDA and Counterpart International standards. They will be responsible for the completion of project deliverables.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide overall project leadership, management, quality control, and technical direction, while ensuring compliance with donor requirements and regulations and Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Build an integrated vision among diverse project components and stakeholders, with a focus on achieving results.
• Identify obstacles and risks related to implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate adjustments to the home office and donor.
• Liaise with USDA and key stakeholders.
• Manage and supervise the work of project personnel, subcontractors, and grantees, with a focus on achieving work plan targets and results in a timely manner.
• Provide mentoring and professional development support to project staff, with emphasis on building capacity of national staff.
• Oversee field office finances and administration of sub-contracts and sub-awards.
• Oversee field office HR practices, ensuring hiring, employee evaluations and promotions are in compliance with Counterpart policies and procedures.
• Coordinate activities between the field office and Counterpart headquarters.
• Leverage networks, program investments, and project successes to seek opportunities for program expansion and promoting Counterpart’s practice areas.
• Job descriptions are not exhaustive and the job holder may be required to undertake duties which are broadly in line with the above responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivelant in international development, agriculture, agribusiness, economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in food security and nutrition, with a specific focus on food assistance, commodity distribution, nutrition, and resilience among vulnerable populations.
• Successful track record leading implementation US Government-funded projects (USDA or USAID) in developing country contexts, including oversight and management of personnel, finances, partnerships, host country relationships, and administration.
• Prior Chief of Party experience or equivalent experience leading USG-funded projects.
• Experience supervising teams of diverse staff and demonstrated leadership capacity.
• Advanced leadership, interpersonal, and strategic analysis skills.
• Experience working on programs pertaining to commodities management, proven track record working with a range of government and community actors and managing teams in multiple offices and locations.
• Demonstrated track record working successfully with diverse stakeholders in the private and public sectors to achieve a common goal.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and deliver quality outputs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in Africa; experience in DRC is strongly preferred.
• Professional proficiency in French is strongly preferred.