Deputy Chief of Party/Economic Resilience-Agriculture Specialist
Africare is a leader among private, charitable U.S. organizations assisting Africa. Africare is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in the field. Africare's programs address needs in three principal areas: Agriculture & Food Security, Health & HIV/AIDS, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.
Throughout its 40 year history, Africare has reached 30 million people across the continent with innovative, sustainable, culturally appropriate and life-changing projects to improve the quality of life in communities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. We strategically invest in innovating and implementing community-based solutions to complex problems, with a strong focus on skills transfer to create leaders out of beneficiaries. Our work has transformed communities and garnered wide recognition for its impact and sustainability.
Africare’s 1,400 staff members operate in 20 countries across Africa. Headquarters is based in Washington, DC where the President’s office and the Finance, Development, and Operations Departments are based.
Africare is seeking an experienced and highly qualified candidate for the position of Economic Resilience/Agriculture Specialist based in Lusaka, Zambia to oversee an anticipated Zambia Economic Resilience Program for Improved Food Security (ZERS) program which will enhance coping skills, build assets, and increase incomes for vulnerable households by improving food security through strengthened economic resilience.
Role:
The Economic Resilience/Agriculture Specialist will be responsible for supervising all technical implementation aspects of the food and nutrition security program such as planning and management of activities against the annual and quarterly implementation plan; assisting with strategy development, design and support. Ensuring timely programmatic adjustments are carried out as needed to meet donor and field realities.
The Specialist will also make certain the program stays in line with USAID and Government of Zambia priorities, by maintaining proper coordination of activities and visits by government officials, USAID, other implementers, stakeholders, appropriate working groups and institutions. The Specialist will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, provide effective technical support, manage program staff and maintain an excellent working relationship with the donor.
Responsibilities:
• Reaching poor populations with agricultural investments aimed at improving and upgrading value chains
• Responsible for increasing agricultural production
• Provide technical expertise and programmatic support to agricultural programs
• Analyze gender inequality issues, including food security
• Produce quality reports and timely submission
• Establish and report on sex-disaggregated data as required
• Responsible for effective planning and efficient management of program activities;
• Serve as a contact point with USAID;
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with implementing partners, key Zambian ministries, appropriate technical working groups and private sector partners;
• Oversee efficient progress toward objectives and delivery of results by implementing partners and sub-grantees;
• Provide technical guidance and support to staff and project partners.
Requirements:
• Master’s degree required, international development, economics, agronomy, natural resources, environmental science, plant science, food science or related field;
• 5+ years of experience with rural livelihoods, microfinance and value chain work, in a senior level management position;
• At least 5 years field experience working on the continent of Africa
• Previous DCoP experience in agriculture, livelihoods or rural economic development programs;
• Extensive experience working with locally based implementing partners;
• Experience in effective gender integration in livelihoods programming;
• Demonstrated ability and understanding of USAID rules and regulations;
• Ability to work in a team setting, to plan strategically, meet project objectives, and oversee the work of implementing partners;
• Strong writing skills;
• Strong interpersonal communication and management skills with the ability to provide guidance and support;
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of Chichewa, Nsenga and Tumbuka is a considerable advantage;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office: especially MS Powerpoint, MS Excel and MS Access
Africare offers a competitive salary along with an excellent benefits package.
How to Apply:
Applications should include a CV and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience.
Please send CVs to zambia.vacancies@africare.org, including Deputy Chief of Party/Economic Resilience-Agriculture Specialist in the subject line.
This position is opened until filled. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications that we receive, we may not be able to respond to each individual candidate. Please respect our no phone calls policy.
Africare is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to workplace diversity.
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