Job Title: Chief
of Party (COP) – Kahawa Bora Ya Kivu (KBYK) Kivu Specialty Coffee Program
Requisition Number: I1921
Area of Interest: Agriculture
Position Type: Full Time
Location:
CARO,
Bukavu/DRC Country Program
Band: D
FLSA: Exempt
Reports To: Head of Programs
Length of Assignment: 2-4 years
Reports To: Head of Programs
Length of Assignment: 2-4 years
*CRS offers competitive salaries and
benefits, commensurate with other INGOs and private sector development
organizations priming highly technical development programs*
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the
commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and
vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and
operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all
faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to
serving those in need.
Background:
CRS is seeking a Chief of Party for a coffee value
chain project in South Kivu, DRC - Kahawa Bora Ya Kivu (KBYK) Kivu
Specialty Coffee. KBYK is a global development alliance (GDA) funded by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Howard G.
Buffet Foundation (HGBF), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Eastern Congo
Initiative (ECI). The high profile, four year project
will assist smallholder coffee farmers in conflict-affected communities to
expand high-value market opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to hunger
and environmental degradation.
This project involves coordinated interventions with
multiple stakeholders along strategic points of the coffee value chain,
including local Church partners, private-sector processors and exporters,
research institutes, management information systems providers, coffee importers
and coffee roasters.The project works in three programmatic areas: coffee value
chains (sustainable production, eco-efficient post-harvest processing, market
engagement and organizational capacity), livelihood diversification (farm
system diversification and community-based financial services) and advocacy
(creating a favorable business environment through reduction of taxes and
application of the new agricultural law). The project will also
include a learning-and-influence agenda designed to generate results-based
evidence from the field on the social and economic returns to smallholder farm
families, and to communicate those results to key stakeholders in the coffee
industry and development community.
Entering its second year of implementation, the
project recently underwent a review involving all consortium partners and
project stakeholders in an effort to ensure a successful first harvest and
further adapt the project to the realities on the ground. With a
reorganization of activities, partner roles and responsibilities and
additional, specialized technical support, the project is well organized to
continuously support and develop the capacity of partner cooperatives and
farmers and ensure the production, processing and sale of successively higher
quality coffee at greater volumes. The project’s initial spring
harvest successfully produced 60 tons of semi-washed parchment coffee and 300
kilograms of fully washed parchment which was sold to an international coffee
franchise.
The project is currently putting in place a
qualified senior management team with the appropriate management and technical
qualifications to continue leveraging project resources and partnerships
(public and private) to exploit the full potential of this value chain project. CRS
is recruiting a passionate, results-driven Chief of Party who will provide
strategic vision and leadership to the project team and effectively manage and
leverage project resources in compliance with USG and CRS rules and
regulations. He/she will work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party
who will provide technical oversight and leadership to the project team,
consisting of specialized technical staff and researchers, ensuring synergies
between project activities and the successful functioning of the value chain
from production to export.
Specific Responsibilities:
To ensure program's strategic objectives and results
are fully accomplished on time and meet expected technical quality standards
the CoP must:
Leadership and Representation
· In
collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party, provide strategic vision and
leadership to the CRS project team and consortium members, integrating
partners’ roles and responsibilities across the value chain, including those of
relevant government ministries.
· Serve
as the primary point of contact and collaboration for other in-country
stakeholders including DRC government departments at the provincial and
territorial level and other actors in the sectors of livelihoods and food security,
particularly those supported by USAID.
§ Represent CRS and the project at all
relevant donor and stakeholder meetings.
§ Anticipate, address and mitigate
technical and partnership challenges in proactive, creative, transparent and
collaborative manner.
§ Help identify and facilitate the
development of new linkages and partnerships with government entities,
microfinance institutions, specialty coffee buyers and exporters.
Program Quality and Management
· Oversee
the planning and implementation of all project activities and set high quality
performance targets ensuring adherence to technical standards, best practices
and donor guidelines.
· Serve
as the consortium lead for the project; ensure strong communication and
coordination with and between all consortium members as a means to effectively
achieving program objectives.
· Direct
the measurement, documentation, analysis and reporting of project performance
and outcomes; ensure implementation of strong M&E systems using CRS tools
and resources to maximize project impact on beneficiaries.
· Coordinate
the development of quarterly narrative reports, updated performance indicator
tracking tables, and quarterly workplans.
· Help
plan and coordinate mid-term and final project evaluation with Deputy Chief of
Party and consortium partners.
Budgeting, Financial Planning and
Compliance
· Ensure
project compliance with multiple donor and CRS regulations with support from
the Country Program compliance team.
· With
support from the finance and compliance teams, prepare donor finance reports.
· In
collaboration with project staff and the finance/compliance teams, review and
analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper
management and utilization of budgets.
· Approve
project expenditures, carry out regular budget tracking and take the lead on
official requests for modifications as and when needed.
· Work
closely with local implementing partners and other sub recipients to ensure
timely and quality advance tracking and liquidation as per CRS guidelines.
· Coordinate
with management quality staff for purchasing and inventory control as per
CRS/donor requirements.
· Ensure
project implements and adheres to approved marketing and branding plan.
Coordination and Communication
· Maintain
regular and strong communication within the consortium, with in-country
external stakeholders and with other CRS colleagues and Regional staff,
including Technical Advisors, as appropriate.
· Ensure
project team and consortium partners adhere to the project’s internal and
external communication protocols.
· Ensure
participation of the consortium in relevant coordination meetings in South Kivu
and/or at the national level.
· Work
closely with relevant support teams to ensure systems are in place that will
enable timely receipt and distribution of all project materials and supplies.
Supervision
· Directly
manage the hiring, orientation, and training of staff to ensure the
recruitment, retention, and professional development of a talented, motivated
team.
· Ensure
annual performance planning and reviews of staff performance in keeping with
CRS’ performance management system. Mentor staff to ensure high levels of
motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
· Ensure
staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and
policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS
staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding
principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her
responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
· Serves
with Integrity
· Models
Stewardship
· Cultivates
Constructive Relationships
· Promotes
Learning
Supervisory Responsibilities: Monitoring,
Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Project Officer; technical
supervision of KBYK Deputy Chief of Party
Key Relationships:
Internal: CRS
Head of Programs, South Kivu Head of Office, South Kivu support and programming
staff, Management Quality Coordinator, Compliance Manager, Country
Representative, Deputy Country Representative.
External: Leadership
and staff of consortium members ECI, Caritas Bukavu and World Coffee Research;
Relevant Government Departments (INERA, IPAPEL, ONC); UN agency
representatives; representatives of other agencies working in coffee
production; leadership of other USG funded projects.
Qualifications:
· Minimum
Masters Degree in business, international development, agriculture,
agro-enterprise or related field.
· Minimum
of 5 years of experience managing USAID grants; familiarity with USG rules and
regulations and compliance requirements. Previous experience
managing USG grants on which CRS is a prime and lead of consortium is
preferred.
· Previous
development experience in Africa, working with smallholder coffee farmers in
agriculture, agro-enterprise, marketing or related field preferred. Experience
in organic, Fair Trade and/or specialty coffee industries preferred.
· Excellent
leadership, budget/financial management, analytical, communication, conflict
resolution, and project-specific technical skills, with a proven ability to prioritize
multiple work demands.
· Proven
experience working with the private sector to build and sustain mutually
beneficial market linkages.
· Exceptional
judgment and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse
and talented teams.
· Cultural
sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
· Proven
ability to think strategically and creatively solve problems.
· Flexibility
to work effectively both in a team and independently.
· Demonstrated
personal accountability, driven to serve others and achieve results.
· Outstanding
communications skills, including professional proficiency and excellent verbal
and written communication skills in both French and English.
· Proficiency
in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and
web-based information and communications technologies.
Foreign Language Required:
Professional proficiency in French
Physical Requirements/Environment:
The position is based in Bukavu with in-country
travel required up to 30% to support field based activities.
This is a spouse only post due limited education
options for school aged children.
Major Responsibilities of Position:
Project Management; Budget Management; Staff
Supervision; Monitoring/ Evaluation; Mentoring/Training; Report Writing.
Disclaimer Clause:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of
the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
EOE/M/F/D/V
For fastest consideration, please create an online profile to apply.
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