CHIEF OF PARTY, CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE ACTIVITY, BANGLADESH At CARE USA

CARE seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated Climate Smart Agriculture Activity in Bangladesh. This project is expected to be in the $25-50 million range. The project will assist farmers, firms, and public sector actors to build a more resilient and socially inclusive agri-food system in Bangladesh by increasing the sustainable productivity and diversity of smallholder farms through improved seed systems, better performing market functions, and the adoption of climate smart agriculture.

The Chief of Party is a Key Personnel position and is subject to USAID approval as well as project award and funding. This position will be based in Dhaka.

Bangladeshi and international candidates are encouraged to apply.

The COP is accountable for strategic leadership, management, and technical oversight. This position oversees overall project planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring compliance with CARE and USAID rules and regulations. They will guide and supervise the project team to fulfill strategic goals and objectives, and ensure technical quality, efficient resource allocation and realization of results.

Key Responsibilities :

• Oversee the completion of all technical requirements, including project results and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan.
• Manage operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct planning and budgeting processes ensuring compliance with local labor laws, USAID regulations, and CARE policies and procedures.
• Create or adapt management systems in line with CARE’s standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency with project needs.
• Serve as primary liaison between USAID, government counterparts, project stakeholders, implementing partners, private sector entities, and CARE’s project management unit.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with activity implementation in a timely manner and guide appropriate adjustments.
• Design and oversee annual project cycle in accordance with USAID’s annual planning cycles.
• Ensure high standards of results delivery including ongoing adaptation and adjustments to enhance impact.
• Represent the project at meetings, conferences, and other forum.
• With staff and partners, translate project goals and objectives into implementable strategies and plans.
• Oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual project activity reports, M&E reports, and other deliverables, as specified in the agreement.
• Guide team members to fulfill the project’s strategic goals and objectives. Manage and mentor senior staff, delegating responsibilities as appropriate. Clearly communicate expectations for staff performance.

Qualifications :

• Advanced degree in agriculture, business, economics, rural development, finance or related field required.
• 10 years of progressively responsible senior experience in international development project management (USAID program management required); previous Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, or senior management experience in climate smart agriculture, rural development, enterprise development, food security, or related field .
• Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of similar-sized international donor-supported programs, with skills in strategic planning and thinking, management, supervision and budgeting, and experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions.
• Experience managing relationships with counterparts at various levels of government and the private sector, including Ministries, research institutions, financial institutions, NGOs, producer associations, and stakeholders from international assistance projects.
• Previous experience with the culture and context of South Asia/Bangladesh is strongly preferred.
• Experience in narrative and financial reporting on complex projects to international donors.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as evidenced in previous management positions and programming. Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
• Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams. Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; excellent demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Ability and willingness to work in a challenging operating environment.

Core Competencies:

• A highly adaptable personality who can identify areas of needed change and lead in the application of those adjustments.
• Able to lead complex technical teams, each with individual, and often, competing mandates.
• Ability to translate development challenges into opportunities.
• Strong communication skills and capacity to relay complex technical messages to non-technical audiences.
• Good relationship, networking and influencing skills.
• Appreciate for and ability to promote gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

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