Fresh Jobs At IFDC- International Fertilizer Development

Since 1974, IFDC has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in over 100 developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

IFDC is currently accepting resumes for the position of Chief of Party in case a future position arises.

Job Description

Job Title: Chief of Party – Africa

The Role

IFDC enables smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase agricultural productivity, generate economic growth and practice environmental stewardship by enhancing their ability to manage mineral and organic fertilizers responsibly and participate profitability in input and output markets.

The COP is Responsible for providing overall vision, leadership and guidance of the project internally with project staff and externally with USAID, host governments, other donors and stakeholders. The COP will lead the IFDC’s team and serve as the primary point of contact with USAID with regard to day-to-day activity implementation and management matters relating to the contract.

The main duties of the COP will be overall project planning, implementation and management. The COP must ensure the smooth functioning and coordination of all project functions: program development and implementation, project finances and administration, outreach and reporting, monitoring and evaluation. S/he in particular will seek to ensure the technical quality and appropriateness of the technical services provided through the project and the quality of the results generated. The COP will have technical and management responsibility for all project personnel and be the IFDC representative to relevant donor, line ministries, other donors and multinationals, technical agencies and other participating organizations as required. The COP will have overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided under the contract, whether by international or local experts/personnel, is technically sound and appropriate for the needs to be addressed; and for adequately managing and supervising the work of all experts/personnel provided under the agreement. The COP will be the primary point of contact for information on the progress and current status of all activities under the contract and will establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure that activity progress and specific implementation concerns are regularly and promptly reported. The COP will manage the preparation and presentation of proposed implementation plans and all reports.

Position Requirements

• At least 15 years of experience successfully managing complex, results based, international rural development programs (implementation, logistics, budget, staffing) funded by USAID or other international donors.
• At least 5 years of prior experience working in Africa is a must.
• Master’s degree in agriculture or related field required.
• Demonstrated ability in the concepts, principles, methods and techniques of delivering training, technical assistance and extension services for rural development.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively negotiating with host governments, regional institutions (e.g. UEMOA -Union Monétaire Ouest Africaine,) donors, UN agencies, other USAID projects, local organizations and partners.
• Ability to successfully manage and develop staff in a multi-country setting as demonstrated by past experience.
• Ability to manage cooperative agreements, contracts and grant making programs with all required reporting requirements.
• Ability to perform internal control functions to manage day to day operations of the project.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and English.