Principal Associate - Chief of Party/Agribusiness Specialist, Tanzania

Organization Overview:

The International Economic Growth Division manages projects that are pioneering new approaches to agriculture, food security, climate change, and competitiveness—as well as monitoring and evaluating projects within these sectors. We work throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East for chiefly governmental clients, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Minimum Qualifications:

MA/MBA with 15+ years of experience OR PhD with 10 - 15 years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Responsibilities:

The Chief of Party will oversee an USAID-funded economic growth / agriculture project related to (1) the development of the post harvest handling and food processing industries in Tanzania focusing on rice, maize and horticultural value chains, (2) the promotion of increased investment in medium and small scale enterprises, (3) the improving household nutritional status, especially of pregnant and lactating women, children and people living with HIV/AIDS.

• Provide leadership, management, and strategic direction to all project activities to ensure the efficient use of resources and achievement of results and project expectations.
• Supervise a team of technical experts.
• Coordinate and manage relationship with USAID to ensure project meets goals and objectives.
• Liaise with a wide range and levels of organizations(government, private sector, NGOs, and research institutions) to create a better enabling environment for economic growth/ agriculture.
• Guide senior technical staff and build project team to ensure the responsiveness and quality of all project work.
• Ensure effective planning, management and timely implementation of the project in collaboration with USAID, key stakeholders, and others.
• Ensure that project budget projections, expenditure, tracking and reporting are in accordance with USAID requirements, procedures and practices.
• Provide regular status and progress reports to USAID and Abt Associates.
• Coordinate with the Portfolio Manager and Contract Administrator at Headquarters to assure that all managerial and administrative matters are communicated and activities comply with the provisions of the contract and with USAID.

The COP will have final authority within the project team for decisions related to technical, management, and resource allocation and personnel issues and will be accountable for the successful implementation of all aspects of the project.

Skills Prerequisites:

• Demonstrated expertise and experience in managing complex private sector and/or agricultural development programs, preferably within an African context;
• Strong interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, and research institutions);
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and creative;
• Strong communications and technical skills;
• Strong record of successes in leading economic growth/agricultural programs of similar size and complexity;
• Advanced degree in business administration, agricultural economics, economics or other related field.
• The candidate must be fluent in written and spoken English. Swahili is a plus.

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