Position Description: 

CNFA is currently seeking qualified Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) candidates for the upcoming USAID-funded Feed the Future (FTF) FORK Activity. The Activity will increase access to safe and nutritious foods by improving business and technical practices related to food processing, strengthening market linkages, and facilitating knowledge sharing. The DCOP will support the coordination and management of project teams, ensuring timely progress against schedules, achievement of deliverables, and quality of results.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The DCOP’s Specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support the COP in the overall management of the program for administration, operations, implementation, and fiscal compliance to ensure achievement of objectives within set timelines, scope, and budget allocations following USAID regulations and CNFA internal policies. 

• Lead and closely work with the program team to provide effective coordination and guidance among smallholder farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), other private sector partners, government entities, service providers, research and academic institutions, and other key stakeholders. 

• Support the development of strategic plans, annual and quarterly work plans, and other deliverables in line with USAID guidelines to achieve objectives and ensure implementation following the set course. 

• Support the development of strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, program monitoring tools, and efficient systems to ensure high-quality implementation based on metrics, operations research, piloting, and testing of different approaches and models. 

• Represent CNFA with partners and key stakeholders, at conferences, workshops, meetings, and other industry gatherings.

• Manage relationship with USAID and CNFA and serve as project point of contact. 

• Manage and track activity implementation progress by personnel, consultants, and subcontractors, ensure it adheres to the approved workplan and deliverable schedule, and troubleshoot deviations. 

• Support development and review of technical deliverables and contribute to subsequent learning, with a focus on evidence-based methodologies and approaches.

• Ensure assigned activities are managed in accordance with UASID regulations and CNFA Procurement policies. 

• Liaise with implementing parties to ensure proper M&E data capture and data quality to contribute to overall project M&E reporting. 

• Support the project’s procurement and operational staff as needed.

• Identify issues and risks related to activity implementation on time. 

• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in a field related to agriculture, economics, or business administration from an accredited college or university. 

• Minimum of twelve (12) years of demonstrated experience in managing and implementing development projects in the agricultural sector, with a focus on agri-food development, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and food systems. 

• Experience managing USAID global mechanisms and working directly with USAID REFS in Washington. 

• Previous experience supporting USG-funded projects related to nutritious agri-food processing, MSMEs and private sector development, and agri-financing preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team of professionals and coordinate with project partners, local communities, and other stakeholders.

• Proven experience in project management, including planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. The candidate should have a track record of effectively utilizing funds to implement similar projects in size and scope and achieve project objectives. 

• Extensive knowledge of food processing techniques, agri-food financing models, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and climate resilience. 

• Fluency in English and French required, additionally fluency in Spanish is 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.