Chief of Party, Transforming Local Food Processing

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 transforming the local food processing sector to provide for the greater availability of safe and nutritious foods. Building on TechnoServe’s rich history in the food processing sector, the program will leverage the power of the private sector to create better nutritional outcomes for base-of-the-pyramid consumers and more profitable market opportunities for local farmers. This will be achieved by working with local food processing companies in priority USAID countries to support better business practices, more durable market linkages, and improved knowledge.

Job Summary:

Chief of Party (COP) of Transforming Local Food Processing overseeing implementation and program delivery, managing staff and budget, stakeholder management. Responsible for ensuring the program meets its goals and objectives while compliant with both TechnoServe and USAID rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Lead overall program strategy in collaboration with partners to improve competitiveness of the local food processing sector to produce safe and nutritious food, increased smallholder market access, availability of nutritious foods to low income consumers.
• Set annual targets, develop and execute annual work plans and budget, implement M&E plan, 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

HR

• 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.
• Direct line and performance management of M&E Manager, Capacity Development Lead, Administration & Compliance Coordinator, Country Program Managers (either the Senior Food Processing Advisor or Market Linkages Manager in each country).
• In liaison with the Finance Department, management of finance and budgetary support.

Compliance

• Ensure project finances, management practices, operational and reporting requirements are in compliance with TechnoServe and USAID contractual rules and regulations.
• Support staff in understanding and implementation of TechnoServe and USAID systems and regulations.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting to USAID.

Stakeholder Management

• Primary contact and liaison withUSAID, program partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective outreach, collaboration and lesson sharing with private sector and public institutions.
• Lead program networking to ensure effective coordination with other food processing programs.
• Liaise with Global Director, Local Food Systems on coordination with other food processing programs, lessons, best practices and alignment with broader PFS partnership.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of experience or a Master’s degree with at least 10 years of experience, with a background in agricultural economics, international development, business, economics, public policy, or other relevant areas