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Position Summary:
Under USDA/FAS Food For Progress (FFPr), SFL is implementing a six year program in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea- Bissau with a goal to develop and upgrade value chain linkages necessary to support an integrated regional trade network for the cashew value chain. The “Linking Infrastructure, Finance, and Farms To Cashew” (LIFFT-Cashew) program is working to create durable trade infrastructure, increase access to financial services, organize and train smallholder farmers to increase production and bargaining power, and build the capacity of local processors to add value to kernels in the cashew production zone of West Africa. As a result, the program will benefit smallholder farmers, a range of processors, and a variety of other businesses associated with the cashew value chain.
We are currently seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the LIFFT-Cashew project in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea- Bissau. The COP will be responsible for the overall activity management, implementation, and oversight of the project. The COP will provide quality assurance and control of all program deliverables as we well as provide leadership, supervision, and direction to the project’s field staff and operations.
Areas of Responsibility:
Strategic Leadership
- Provide supervision, support, and direction to field staff in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau
- Lead a multi-national, multi-lingual, and multi-expertise group of professionals
- Establish relationships with partners and stakeholders, and represent the SFL team at key meetings
- Bring focus and determination to the program team, ensuring high quality results and prioritizing the achievement of goals and objectives which support an integrated and expanded trade of cashew from the SeGaBi region
Quality Program Management
- Lead the development of detailed annual work plans and ensure project meets all deliverables
- Provide quality reports on project progress to SFL headquarters and project donor
- Monitor component performance and document progress on project indicators
- Coordinate and communicate activities with SFL HQ, USDA, the U.S. Embassy, and local government officials
- Implement and enforce procedures that ensure compliance with U.S. Government rules and regulations
- Enforce SFL’s internal control procedures, outlined by the Field Operations Manual, Employee Handbook and the Who we are, What we believe, and How we Serve documents
Technical Oversight
- Responsible for strategy and implementation of each of the five components: infrastructure, financial services, market access, agricultural practice, and market information
- Coordinate a range of activities for coherence and reinforcement of impact, ensuring that components and activities work in harmony
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration, International Development, Corporate Finance, or related field
- A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in agricultural value chain or agribusiness development programs
- A minimum of 5 years of work experience as Chief of Party or a similar level managing large, complex agribusiness or agricultural development programs with a value chain focus
- Prior work experience with an international NGO and/or relevant experience with USDA or similar international donor-funded programs
- Industry knowledge and experience in the cashew sector, specifically in West Africa
- Demonstrated experience in reporting project progress and adhering to donor guidelines
- Strong leadership and administrative skills, management in a cross-cultural environment
- Strong communications and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, research institutions)
- Prior experience in West Africa required; specific experience in Senegal, The Gambia or Guinea-Bissau preferred
Personal Skills & Abilities:
- Dynamic leadership skills with ability to maintain a positive work environment with professionalism
- Strong teamwork and listening skills combined with excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity
- Ability to research, analyze, coordinate, & plan – both strategically and innovatively
- Ability to quickly assess complex programs and situations and form accurate opinions
- Ability to respond practically and operate successfully in difficult field conditions
- Willingness to adopt the use of locally appropriate technologies
- Ability to be flexible, persistent and diplomatic and to gain respect among staff, local community leaders as well as local government ministries and donor organizations
- Proficiency in written and spoken French and written and spoken English required; Fluency in Portuguese, Creole, or local languages (Wolof, Diola, etc.) preferred
SFL is interested in applicants whose professional ethics, values and determination to achieve impact are evident and aligned with organizational priorities.
Additional notes:
- A minimum of 12+ months commitment to live and work in Ziguinchor, Senegal is required
- Is comfortable with frequent travel, particularly within the SeGaBi region
- Competitive pay and generous benefits including six weeks of paid time off, two weeks of R&R, ACA compliant health insurance, and allowances for housing, food, and communication
Apply:
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line: “Chief of Party – SeGaBi” Applications must be in English. Please include your name in the title of all attached documents. In your resume, the work experience should be presented chronologically and should contain sufficient details to enable the technical review team to evaluate the qualifications and experience. Your cover letter should describe your vision for expanding cashew trade, including a brief description of strategies for achieving ambitious program targets (no more than 2 pages). The CV/resume should include the name, telephone number, and email of at least two references who do not work for the employee’s current company.
