Project background: 

The Chief of Party (COP) will support the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) program. The five-year program aims to improve agricultural production and expand the trade of agricultural products in developing countries by introducing and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead the overall management of the program in line with USDA guidelines and within set timelines to achieve objectives; 

• Provide strategic guidance, leadership, management, and general technical oversight of the program;

• Ensure quality control and provide overall technical and management leadership under the award; adjust programs and operations in response to USDA technical direction; 

• Oversee program administration, operations, implementation, and fiscal management to ensure technical and financial activity aligns with scope and budget allocations, internal policies, and donor regulations; and 

• Serve as the primary liaison with USDA, government entities, and all other relevant counterparts, acting as a spokesperson for the program and presenting the work regionally/globally.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A Master’s degree in agriculture, management, international development, or a related field of study or equivalent work experience preferred.

• At least eight (8) years of relevant professional experience in international development.

• Experience leading and managing large teams with a high level of leadership, interpersonal, technical, and analytical experience, as Team Leader, Chief of Party, or other Program Director level role.

• Experience leading USDA, USAID, or other bilateral-funded programs is highly desirable.

• Demonstrated experience working within the food or agricultural private sector in Public Private Partnerships is strongly preferred. 

• Experience providing technical oversight and leadership to facilitate expanded trade and competitiveness of agricultural value chains preferred. 

• Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain positive, collaborative, and productive relationships with government and other local partners is required. 

• Experience successfully implementing inclusive programs is a plus.

• English fluency is required; additionally, fluency in a secondary language, such as French, is highly preferred.

CNFA IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER It is the policy of CNFA to provide equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, veteran status, or on the basis of personal favoritism or other non-merit factors, except where otherwise provided by law. 

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION & CONTACT INFORMATION CNFA provides a reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact the CNFA Home Office Human Resources Department via email at accomodation@cnfa.org or via phone at 202-296-3920 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job with us.