Deputy Chief of Party (Programs)
LOCATION: Chipata
BACKGROUND:
Mawa is a $10 million, five-year program funded by USAID Zambia under Feed the Future. Mawa will improve food security of the most vulnerable rural households in Eastern Province. In particular, this project seeks to improve the participation of the rural poor in economic growth and improve their economic and nutritional status. Employing an integrated approach that links agricultural growth, nutrition, and economic resilience efforts, the project will address all aspects of food insecurity in rural areas. It will do so by increasing vulnerable household participation, especially women, in agricultural markets and the rural economy, improving their nutritional levels and improving household assets and income. The project will be implemented through a consortium of international and national agencies, in close cooperation with the Zambian Government (GRZ).
JOB SUMMARY
The Deputy Chief of Party holds a strategic position within the project and agency. The position is responsible for ensuring the successful design and implementation of Mawa’s technical strategies and activities, contributing to the agency’s Signature Program Areas, specifically agricultural livelihoods and health. The Deputy Chief of Party will report to the Chief of Party and supervise four Technical Quality Coordinators.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- In collaboration Technical Quality Coordinators (TQCs), develop and implement strong agriculture, health and nutrition, and gender strategies using CRS tools. Adapt strategies based on project learning.
- Lead the roll-out and adaptation of strategic activities, including Skills for Markets and Rural Transformation (SMART), through Private Service Providers, the Farmbook Suite, and community-led complementary feeding and learning sessions (CCFLS).
- Ensure that technical and field staff requests relevant support from consortium members and other stakeholders as necessary, to meet project activities defined in work plans.
- Identify, develop and maintain partnerships with private sector government and other stakeholders to advance the objective of Mawa project, inclusive cross-sector engagement.
- Develop and maintain positive, constructive working relations with project partner organizations, which include a network of over 20 field-based staff.
Accountability and Learning
- Collaborate with the Monitoring & Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager and TQCs to support accurate and quality data collection and data use for decision-making.
- Promote and model use of approaches toward learning.
- Identify opportunities to share project approaches, learning and results within CRS and with other stakeholders.
- Exchange information, experiences and contribute actively to learning processes within Mawa, learning communities within CRS and among Mawa partner organizations.
- Identify and document case studies, best practices and lessons learned focusing on relevant innovative products and tools, in coordination with CRS technical advisors and Mawa TQCs.
- Identify opportunities to contribute to the agency strategy, specifically the agricultural livelihoods and health signature program areas and high-performance support (accountability for outcomes and talent excellence).
Management and Administration
- Oversee and ensure the successful coordination and implementation of project activities.
- Provide direction and mentorship to two Program Managers (Caritas), 15 Field Supervisors and four Community Animators.
- Prepare and seek high-quality contributions from Mawa staff on required donor project narrative reports, quarterly performance indicator tracking tables, baseline and final evaluation reports, as well as other reports required by stakeholders.
- Review and analyze budget comparison reports and take necessary steps to ensure proper management and utilization of budgets, in support of Chief of Party and respective deputy.
- Coordinate closely with the Project Director of the GIZ Nutrition and Food Security program to ensure adequate technical assistance.
Talent Excellence
- Identify training needs for staff under his/her supervision and support capacity building through various trainings and exchange visits.
- Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment and teamwork.
- Continuously support the professional development of his/her team by providing clear orientation, feedback and learning opportunities.
- Mentor partner staff in the management and supervision of field staff responsible for implementation of project activities
Representation
- Represent CRS/Zambia and Mawa Project amongst government, donor and NGO communities, effectively communicating CRS’ strategy for agricultural livelihoods, health and Mawa’s contribution to the agency strategy.
- Represent CRS/Zambia and Mawa Project with public and private stakeholders in Eastern Province, Zambia, and cultivate partnerships and collaboration with these stakeholders for greater project impact.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in agro-enterprise, agriculture, or a related field
- Minimum 8 years’ experience working in international development, with specific experience in designing and/or managing food and nutrition security projects
- Demonstrated experience in addressing gender equity in agriculture/food security programming.
- Demonstrated ability with project grants management. Experience working with USG grants preferred.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong technical capacity in agriculture, nutrition, financial inclusion and gender, with knowledge of best practices and guideline
- Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively with partners, and transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through workshops, training, meetings, and participatory methods.
- Excellent analytic and organizational skills
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills required.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team
- Ability to lead a multi-cultural team with a high level of respect for local culture
- Skills in MS Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Willingness to live in Chipata and ability to travel approximately 25% of time within country
REQUIRED BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
- Sets clear goals and manages toward them
- Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
- Manages financial resources with integrity
- Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates can send their cover letter and resume, including contact information of three traceable references by close of business on Monday, 20 July 2015, to crszambiajobs@gmail.com. Applications addressed to the Country Representative should clearly state the position applied for in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
