Chief of Party, Madagascar Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship

Chief of Party, USAID/Madagascar Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship Position Summary: Winrock International works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock is seeking a Chief of Party to lead a dynamic team in implementing an anticipated $25-$50M USAID-funded project that aims to increase production of diverse and nutritious foods and strengthen resilient markets in Anosy, Androy and Toliara regions of Madagascar. The Chief of Party will be responsible for overall project leadership, management, administration, and technical implementation. S/he will manage project staff and implementing partners; maintain systems for project operations; ensure that all award deadlines are met, and targets are achieved and within budget; and maintain strong communication with USAID/Madagascar. S/he will maintain working relationships with project stakeholders, including local government entities, national government ministries, private sector firms and industry groups, subgrantees and/or subcontractors, other development projects, short-term technical assistance providers, and local institutions. S/he will lead collaborative initiatives to ensure all approaches are sustainable, inclusive, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based. The position is open to all qualified candidates; qualified Malagasy nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. Primary Responsibilities: Coordination Serve as the principal liaison with the donor, key government officials, and international and local organizations, representing Winrock International. Coordinate and collaborate with private sector firms, producers (particularly smallholders) and industry groups, government counterparts, research institutes, and other relevant parties to leverage resources and maximize results. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local communities, NGOs, and other development partners. Technical Lead the development of strategies to increase the productivity of the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sector in southern Madagascar for increased and diversified incomes and improved nutrition. Provide technical direction to diagnostics and assessments for evaluating market opportunities, identifying partners, and designing project partnerships. Design and lead interventions that sustainably build the capacity of staff and key stakeholders across the market system including in the private sector, industry associations, government, academic institutions, and among producers and processors. Effectively communicate and coordinate across other USG and non-USG funded nutrition, agriculture, entrepreneurship and related programs. Monitor project performance through indicators and evaluate program effectiveness and results. Apply an adaptive management and learning approach to iteratively evaluate project results and impact. Institute adjustments to replicate and scale successful activities and course correct activities that are not yielding desired results. Oversee and contribute deliverables communication products that showcase the progress of activities and achievement of program results to USAID and the general public. Promote the adoption of innovative approaches and best practices in project implementation. Stay updated with the latest developments in the field and incorporate relevant advancements into the project. Administration and Leadership Provide high-level oversight for project administrative functions including financial management, human resources and procurement while ensuring compliance with Winrock policies and principles and donor rules and regulations. Provide supervision, support, and direction to long- and short-term staff and technical consultants. Maintain close communication with Winrock home office and USAID to provide ongoing, informal updates of project progress. Ensure the project activities are inclusive and address the needs of marginalized groups, including women, youth, and people with disabilities. Develop and implement strategies to ensure the sustainability of project outcomes beyond the life of the project. Strengthen the capacity of local organizations and institutions to ensure long-term impact and sustainability. Other duties as required. QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND: Education: Academic degree in relevant field such as agriculture, economics, international development, business administration, or related discipline. Master's degree or higher strongly preferred. Experience: Minimum 10 years of experience in international development managing agriculture, climate resilient livelihoods, food systems, entrepreneurship & investment and/or market systems development programs. At least 5 years’ previous executive experience managing USG-funded programs required; Feed the Future experience preferred. Proven experience managing large, complex projects funded by USAID or other international donors. Demonstrated experience in the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors in developing countries, with a proven track record in designing and implementing activities to reach women, youth, and marginalized communities. Proven experience in training, managing, and coaching project staff and partners on food systems-based interventions, with the ability to implement iterative learning systems aligned with the collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) framework. Experience developing partnerships with and supporting private sector and government actors. Skills/Knowledge: Ability to supervise, challenge, and build capacity of staff and coordinate activities with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. Experience with diagnostics and assessments for evaluating market opportunities and designing project partnerships especially with private sector actors. Must be comfortable in a high-level representational role as well as interacting with beneficiaries. Familiarity with natural resource management and rural resiliency approaches. Demonstrated commitment to incorporation of locally led development and participatory approaches to solutioning. Sound knowledge of international donor contracts and cooperative agreements, financial and accounting regulations and procedures, particularly USAID regulations. Demonstrated understanding of USG M&E frameworks and reporting systems. Skills in knowledge management, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and data analysis preferred. Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills are required. Excellent computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases) are required. Fluency in English and French required; proficiency in Malagasy desired. Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. At Winrock we have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation. Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization