Chief of Party, Malawi

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Chief of Party, Malawi

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Chief of Party for a USAID funded program in Malawi. The program will ensure farmers access to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, balancing market income objectives with behavior change incentives to improve resilience to climate change, nutritional outcomes, and women’s empowerment across eight target districts. It will strengthen agricultural market systems in scaling small holder farms to commercially oriented operations while aligning with the Government of Malawi’s goals of diversifying away from tobacco and promoting resilience. The program is anticipated to start in early 2022.

The Chief of Party will provide strategic leadership for the program with an adaptive management approach to project implementation, oversee all staff and activities, and champion a collaborative, inclusive learning environment. S/he will serve as the program’s key liaison with headquarters, government counterparts, private sector stakeholders, subcontractors, academic institutions, and other local partners. The position is based in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical vision, leadership, and project management.
• Manage and supervise work of all international consultants, local project staff and subcontractors.
• Ensure day-to-day technical, schedule, and financial performance of the project in accordance with USAID rules and regulations, the scope of work, and annual work plans.
• Serve as the program’s key liaison with headquarters, government counterparts, private sector stakeholders, subcontractors, academic institutions, and other local partners to exchange information and develop professional relationships.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with USAID with regard to day-to-day implementation and management matters relating to the contract.
• Collaboratively create and implement a strategic, long-term programmatic vision.
• Oversee preparation and supervision of project work planning, budgets and pipeline analyses, performance management, and strategic communications.
• Evaluate sub-contractor and grantee activities through consultative meetings, site visits and reporting requirements.
• Ensure that the activities and results are implemented in a timely manner within the approved budget.
• Make verbal or written presentations as requested by the client to varied audiences.
• Coordinate activities and prepare annual results report, resource requests, quarterly reports and pipeline analyses; coordinate with HQ on development of profiles, success stories, etc.
• Assure that assistance provided under the award is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed and for adequately managing and supervising the work of all staff in country.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, international development, economics, business management, agricultural or rural development, agronomy or relevant field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible management experience working with programs that are of a similar scope and complexity. USAID contract management experience is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate successfully with host-country government officials, international donors, and private sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with the Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) approach is desired.
• Commitment to and experience improving inclusion and empowerment of underserved and marginalized groups of market actors including women, youth, rural smallholders, and others.
• Ability to be collaborative across projects; flexible and creative.
• Strong leadership and communication skills required.
• Experience working in Malawi highly desired.
• Fluency in English required.