The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for providing overall technical and programmatic leadership of an upcoming Feed the Future program in Zambia, ensuring integration of nutrition sensitive agricultural programming and nutrition specific activities. The project will work at the community and household levels to increase the quantity and quality of dietary intake and provide adequate health conditions for optimal biological utilization of nutrients to reduce stunting, especially in children under two. This position requires comprehensive understanding of and experience in the following core technical areas: nutrition, livelihoods, WASH/Environment, behavior change and gender. The COP will provide overall leadership and technical direction to promote innovative, adaptive management for this integrated development project; coordinating partner roles and setting performance expectations; ensuring program deliverables and milestones are met. The COP is expected to coordinate with government and other stakeholders to ensure that activities complement ongoing learning and evaluation initiatives. The position will be based in Zambia. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of the final applicant is subject to USAID approval.
Job Summary / Responsibilities:
- Plan, direct and coordinate technical and operational activities to ensure that project goals and objectives are accomplished with prescribed timeframes and funding parameters and in compliance with USAID regulations and FHI 360 policies.
- Provide technical leadership in nutrition, agriculture, WASH, behavior change, gender and livelihoods components of the project, with expertise including (but not limited to): food security programming; household food access; household and community resilience; poverty reduction; rural economic development, agricultural development, agribusiness, market systems or value chain development.
- Maintain an integrated vision and approach for the project in achieving the results as defined in the award, while maintaining excellence and accountability to client households and USAID.
- Establish and maintain partnerships with internal and external stakeholders on project matters.
- Collaborate with technical specialists, other team staff, and stakeholders beyond the project to ensure coordination of materials and communication message strategies and avoid gaps and overlaps.
- Oversee monitoring and evaluation of project indicators and knowledge management activities.
- Oversee the project’s financial and technical reporting requirements
Qualifications:
- Proven success managing complex development programs that include multi-disciplinary programming, preferably in the Eastern and Southern Africa context, and on USAID funded projects of similar size. Proven abilities to set priorities, to multi-task, and to work collaboratively across technical disciplines.
- At least 10 years of experience in projects of similar or related nature, size and complexity, with national or local governments, NGOs, or donors. Preference given to a candidate who has demonstrated experience working in devolved health settings.
- A strong track record of managing market development projects, especially in the area of agriculture (highly preferred).
- Possess outstanding professional reputation and have strong demonstrated interpersonal, written, and oral presentation skills.
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills in English required, Nyanja preferred.
- Minimum 10 years of experience managing USAID funded projects and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in Zambia preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience with the design, management and implementation of integrated nutrition, agriculture, WASH, behavior change and livelihood programs.
- Experience and demonstrated knowledge of nutrition sensitive and nutrition specific development programs.
- Experience collaborating with government ministries and officials, NGOs and donors, evaluators, and community-based institutions, preferably in Zambia.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a diverse technical team promoting innovation, adaptive management, and evaluation. Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance.
- Ability to travel as needed.