Classification: Call for Resumes
IRD
is seeking candidates as Deputy Chief of Party (COP) for the upcoming
Regional Agriculture Development Program-South in Afghanistan. The
program
will foster economic growth for farmers and agribusinesses, strengthen
market access, build food security, and enhance three to four targeted
high-value agricultural value chains as well as wheat, and at least one
livestock value chain. The program will also continue to address
counter-narcotics and transitional development objectives within the
overall program goal of improved long-term agricultural development. The
DCOP will provide overall project leadership, strategic guidance,
managerial and technical oversight with final responsibility for
achieving cost effective, timely, contractually compliant project
results and impacts.
Essential Job Functions:
- Supervise senior project technical staff;
- Serve as the driving force of the implementation of program activities within all sectors – ensuring the program meets all required targets;
- Ensure activities implemented under project sub-components directly contribute to the program’s intended outcomes;
- Grow, mentor and aid the management of private sector and non-governmental Afghan partnering organizations in the successful implementation of program objectives;
- Liaise with other foreign assistance implementing partners and the U.S. military to ensure streamlined programming of U.S. government assistance.
Required Skills & Experience:
- At least 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in managing and implementing large donor-funded agriculture and/or counter narcotic programs, particularly in transitional, Islamic, and/or post-conflict countries.
- Experience with agricultural development programs implementing agricultural extension, agribusiness, and/or value chain development activities.
- Demonstrated experience with host-government and private sector partners in planning and evaluating agriculture development activities at the national and sub-national level.
- Demonstrated expertise in agricultural production, dry land and/or irrigated agriculture, water resources management in agriculture, or agronomy.
- Prior experience as a Team Leader or Technical Lead for projects with similar complexity in Afghanistan or other conflict or post conflict countries.
- Experience working with a range of stakeholders, from high-level government officials to small farmers.
- Experience designing and managing quality assurance and quality control activities with an emphasis on managing for results.
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory experience, including:
- Direct supervision of a diverse team of professional and support staff.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to motivate staff to be accountable for program outcomes.
- Experience mentoring and building capacity of national staff
- Professional fluency in English speaking, reading, and writing required to a level 4. Dari or Pashto proficiency desirable.
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills in English (required) Dari/Pashto desirable.
- Ability to interact regularly and professionally with senior host-government counterparts on policy and other strategic planning issues.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and strong track record in meeting deliverables and deadlines.
- Prior experience in Afghanistan or South Asia is a plus.
- Demonstrated ethical management approach.
Education
- Master’s degree or higher in agricultural production, agricultural science, water resources management, international development, business management or a related field;
Job Location
Kandahar, Afghanistan
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