Deputy Chief of Party, Madagascar USDA Food for Progress

Location: Madagascar (Antananarivo or alternate location depending on targeted project area)

Reports to: Chief of Party

Please Note: This position is contingent upon award and USDA approval with an anticipated start date of October 2024.

**French fluency is required for this position**

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.

Global Communities is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for a five-year, $32.3M USDA Food for Progress project in Madagascar. The Food for Progress Program helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. U.S. agricultural commodities donated to recipient countries are sold in the local or regional markets and the proceeds are used to support agricultural, economic, or infrastructure development programs. Food for Progress has two principal objectives: to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade in agricultural products.

Under the direction of the Chief of Party, the DCOP will help provide management, and strong technical support in the implementation of the project. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive

Responsibilities

The Deputy Chief of Party will be responsible for overseeing the technical teams and technical activity implementation. The DCOP will liaise with, guide, and ensure that the project’s implementation is aligned with its approved workplan and budget, and meets targets for achievement while providing high-quality technical assistance to government officials, civil society leaders, and others. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical Leadership:

Oversee technical project activities and supervises and mentors key program technical staff and consultants.

• Oversee staff and partners’ planning, execution and documentation of project activities, ensuring timely and high-quality achievement of targets and deliverables.
• Ensure that approved activities related to agricultural productivity and trade represent global and local best practices, providing strategic responses to changing program requirements as needed to meet project goals and objectives.
• Conduct regular site visits to observe project progress, supervise data quality assessments and obtain feedback from participants and stakeholders.
• Use principles of adaptive management and data-driven continuous improvement processes and develop appropriate responses to solve challenges under tight deadlines while ensuring operational integrity and project impact.
• Hold monthly and quarterly project review sessions with staff and partners to routinely assess and improve project performance against workplan and targets.
• Lead project staff quarterly in analyzing and applying project performance and outcome data to monitor progress against indicator targets.Build and maintain a sense of shared ownership and unified team effort among staff and local and international partners, as well as strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders within the Government of Madagascar at all levels; aligns with government policies, informal and civil society leaders and advocacy groups; project participants, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners.

Operational Management:

• Assume the position of Chief of Party role when the COP is not available.
• Work with senior staff to ensure that financial reports to USDA, effectively and accurately communicate project progress, achievements, challenges, and utilization of funds.
• Represent Global Communities and the project at meetings with multiple local stakeholders (other NGOs, government officials, private sector institutions, etc.) as needed and necessary.
• Promote Global Communities’ values (purposeful, committed, genuine, and connected) and ensuring that all project staff demonstrate these values.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a discipline related to international development with a minimum of 8 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to international development with a minimum of 10 years of experience managing multi-sectoral projects with increasing responsibilities and duties.
• Experience in Madagascar, with preference for recent work in the Atsimo-Adrefanana and Anosy regions.
• Technical expertise in food security, nutrition, market systems development, value chain development, climate adapted agricultural production.
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge/experience with USDA Food for Progress programs preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of USAID Feed the Future and/or USDA Food for Progress strategies.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with government officials, civil society organizations, private sector actors, implementing partners, international donors, and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English and French are required. Must be able to use both languages fluently and accurately and be able to read all styles and forms on all levels pertinent to professional needs. Proficiency in Malagasy is preferred.
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.
• Malagasy nationals are strongly encouraged to apply

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society. We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented. The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.