party leader At Chemonics

Chemonics is seeking a Party Leader for the USAID-funded Market Finance Acceleration (MFA) program in Burkina Faso. MFA is a five-year activity aimed at increasing private sector financing for target groups of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the agriculture and agribusiness sector, particularly those owned/operated by women and young entrepreneurs/youth-led businesses, who are underserved by the financial sector in Burkina Faso. The Market Finance Accelerator Program builds on existing USAID CATALYZE Finance for Resilience (F4R) – Sahel activity.

Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the Party Leader will assume strategic direction and administrative responsibility for contract requirements, ensuring the achievement of key performance indicators, objectives and deliverables. He/She will be the primary channel of communication with USAID, fostering effective and transparent collaboration with team and consortia partners. Overseeing the implementation of the project, they will define the strategic direction and long-term vision, working with a high-level team of diverse thinkers and doers. We are looking for individuals with in-depth knowledge of the agriculture and agribusiness sector in Burkina Faso, as well as gender equality and youth development, coupled with a deep commitment to making a significant impact on MSMEs based in Burkina Faso – particularly those led by women and youth – and on the agribusiness market as a whole.

Main responsibilities:

• Provide a long-term strategic vision and assume overall leadership, management, administrative and technical direction of the MFA program
• Serve as the primary point of contact to establish, manage and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including civil society, private sector partners and national and local government entities, regarding all program-related matters
• Oversee operations of the project office in Burkina Faso in accordance with policies and procedures established by Chemonics management, including human resources, security, procurement, grants, finance and administration, and subcontracting
• Develop and implement annual budgets and work plans reflecting the needs and priorities of USAID and local stakeholders, including gender and social inclusion, conflict management and adaptation, collaborative learning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
• Foster close collaboration and teamwork among project staff, including mentoring and professional development opportunities, as well as close collaboration with partners to include common strategy, work planning, implementation implementation, learning and indicators shared between the different rewards
• Serve as a key liaison with USAID and ensure compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contractual requirements, and Chemonics policies and systems
• Model ethical behavior and set clear expectations for all staff and third parties with whom the project collaborates based on the Chemonics Standards of Business Conduct

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business administration, management, finance, marketing, accounting, economics or a related field and significant regional/international professional experience, such as experience with the private sector, international development for investment project management commercial, entrepreneurship or investment banking
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of development, including at least 5 years in high-level positions and 5 years in Sahel countries, preferably in Burkina Faso
• Prior experience as a Team Leader (COP) or similar leadership role in USAID-funded programs focused on agribusiness/finance (or related areas)
• Proven experience in supporting the development of businesses and/or investors, particularly agri-food MSMEs led by women and/or youth
• Proven technical knowledge in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and positive youth development
• Practical experience building relationships and coalitions with a range of program partners, including local, regional and national government entities, financial institutions, civil society, local communities and the private sector in the Sahel region and in Burkina Faso in particular
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, technical and oral/written communication skills to meet diverse technical and management requirements of the project and ensure effective coordination with a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience managing complex contracts and/or agreements, USAID operational procedures, regulations and reporting requirements
• Experience working in fluid conflict environments with an ability to pivot as the security situation evolves
• Demonstrated ethical leadership, versatility and integrity
• Fluency in French required, fluency in English strongly desired