Job Title: Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP)
About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include Lutheran World Relief, IMA World Health and its fundraising brand Corus World Health, , CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world’s most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org
Corus International’s country portfolio in Nepal has worked alongside the Nepal government, donors, and a variety of local and international partners since 2009. Programs reach marginalized communities through market systems facilitation, agriculture, food security, livelihoods, enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction activities. The portfolio includes a focus on both food security, private sector engagement, sustainable development and humanitarian assistance activities and operates out of Kathmandu.
About The Job: Lutheran World Relief is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party to lead an anticipated USAID-funded Agricultural Transformation activity in Nepal. The 5-year project with focus on 1) Agricultural productivity, competitiveness, and diversification increased; 2) Enabling environment for private sector investment in agriculture and equitable access to market systems improved; 3) Climate and economic resilience of women, youth, and marginalized communities enhanced; and 4) Capacity of national agricultural research institutions and extension systems strengthened.
The Deputy Chief of Party will provide overall technical leadership and operational oversighted for the anticipated activity. They will take a leadership role in ensuring technical and administration implementation of high impact, proven interventions, while ensuring that the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements. The DCOP will assume the responsibilities of the COP in the absence of the COP. S/he will take a technical leadership role in coordination with key stakeholders and other implementing partners, including numerous government institutions and representatives, the private sector, and civil society partners to ensure that agricultural transformation interventions contribute towards outcomes in line with regional and global best practices. Ensuring effective implementation of the project and working closely with the program implementing partners and the COP to ensure adaptive management of the project takes place will be key to the role. A collaborative mindset and willingness to invest in the long-term success of local institutions (public, private, and civil society) also will be key.
The position is expected to be based in Kathmandu, Nepal and will report to the Chief of Party.
Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and USAID approval. Nepali nationals are highly encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the COP and senior management team in support of maintaining project objectives, evaluate program effectiveness, and determine corrective action needed to achieve objectives
- Coordinate with key staff/component leads and partners in carrying out activities in accordance with the work plan and timelines for deliverables
- Provide technical leadership on one or more of the following topics: market systems and resilience, agricultural productivity and agro-processing, and access to finance, private sector investment, and business model development for small-scale entrepreneurs
- Support development of strong monitoring, evaluation and learning mechanisms, program monitoring tools, and efficient systems to ensure high quality implementation
- Define strategy, iterate, and ensure consortium partner buy-in and adherence to the overall technical approach and implementation
- Provide oversight of implementing partners, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment inclusive of both local and international partner organizations towards program objectives
- Together with the COP and the technical implementation team, take a lead role in the development of the annual workplan and review of the existing performance monitoring plans; manage effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems to achieve results; and liaise with internal and external program evaluation technical staff and consultants
- Supervise program staff and manage consortium partners and grant recipients in coordination with the COP
- Build staff capacity through on-the-job training and mentoring in consultation with the COP
- In coordination with the COP, represent the project in public and professional circles and during donor and other high-level visits (especially by USG and private agencies), through meetings, conferences, and presentations; support written correspondence to the donor as needed
Qualifications:
- MA/MS or equivalent in agricultural economics, business administration, international development, governance, or related field pertaining to agriculture.
- At least seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in managing and supervising a large consortium and staff team of both international and expatriate staff, as well as local or international partner organizations
- Experience managing large, complex donor-funded international development programs required; experience managing USAID Feed the Future projects of similar size and complexity to this activity a significant advantage
- Proven ability to work with government officials, international researchers, international partners, local agricultural specialists, financial service providers, and other local stakeholders likely contributing to the design and implementation
- Experience in adaptive management preferred, with proven ability to iterate, test, and adjust programming in line with contextual shifts
- Experience working in fragile settings, ideally with prior experience in Nepal or the region
- Ability to direct and manage change and inspire teamwork and high performing teams
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills
- Cross-cultural sensitivity a must; experience living and/or working in developing countries required
- Excellent analytical written and oral communication skills
- Professional level fluency in English, both oral and written; knowledge of Nepali is an asset
- Willingness and ability to travel to project sites in Nepal