DEPUTY CHIEF OF PARTY
Deputy Chief of Party - Kasai
USAID Feed the Future Democratic Republic of the Congo Resilient Food Systems
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Global. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. We are a team of 4,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment and energy do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Project
This activity will work in two non-contiguous geographic regions identified as the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI), one being the territories of Seke-Banza and Lukula in Kongo Central Province, and another one covering the territory of Dibaya plus the health zones of Masuika and Yangala, in Luiza territory, in Kasai Central Province, where BHA is programming its Resilience Food Security Activities (RFSAs).
The USAID Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (USAID/DRC), through the office of Economic Growth (EG), seeks to award a five-year contract to provide technical assistance, training, materials, and other agricultural, financial and market services across all aspects of food systems within the Feed the Future (FTF) Zone of Influence (ZOI). This assistance will strengthen resilience at the individual, household, community and systems level while increasing nutritional out-comes, food security, and incomes for beneficiaries–particularly women, youth and marginalized individuals throughout the ZOI. This support encompasses the facilitation and rational management of natural resources, large-scale adoption of value enhancing technologies, private sector engagement, and market system improvements for agriculture-led growth driving increased employment, income and improved nutrition outcomes.
The Resilient Food Systems activity will be USAID/DRC’s flagship FTF implementing mechanism. It will pursue the goal, objectives and results identified in the Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) DRC Country Plan (GFSS/DRC Country Plan).1 Furthermore, it will be the primary and largest contributor to achieving a 20% reduction in poverty and severe malnutrition (stunting) which USAID/DRC will measure through a population-based survey across the FTF ZOI.2 The GFSS/DRC Country Plan is implemented through activities and interventions which increase the productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of the DRC’s agricultural sector; while concurrently strengthening the ability of target populations’ to protect and improve well-being despite shocks and stresses; and improve both the access and utilization of nutritious food–particularly for pregnant and lactating women, women of child-bearing age and children under five years of age.
The Opportunity
The DCOP-Kasai leads a multidisciplinary team that ensures successful activity implementation across the Kasai Central portion of the ZOI by providing technical guidance at the component level. S/he will ensure cohesiveness with the technical team and the necessary operational efficiencies required to implement sound technical strategies and achieve indicator goals. S/he will supervise the planning, design, quality, and follow-up of the technical activities that result in meeting activity indicators. S/he will also play a significant role in cultivating strong, productive working relationships with local government officials, other USG implementing partners, other development partners and their activity implementers, the private sector, and civil society organizations active in the region. S/he will be expected to cover the role of the COP if called upon to do so and s/he will be expected to serve in active leadership roles related to HDP and agriculture-related coordination platforms and functions in the region when opportunities arise. The DCOP-Kasai should have the following qualifications:
Core Responsibilities
- Support the COP with strategic direction, long-term programmatic vision, and technical leadership to produce activity results.
- Provide technical management and oversight of timely, high-quality activities.
- Provide leadership and technical support for activity staff and subcontractors to ensure a focus on results, achievements of annual work plan and targets, and timely and effective implementation.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with USAID and local counterparts to ensure effective coordination of activities with relevant ministries, civil society, private sector, and development partners, other USAID and U.S. government-funded initiatives, and other stakeholders.
- Implement learning approaches to establish a culture of adaptive management that responds to contextual shifts by adapting decision making, resource allocation, and implementation approaches/strategies as necessary.
- In coordination with relevant technical leads, support the annual work planning process.
- Serve as lead technical advisor providing guidance and oversight to technical staff as needed.
- Uphold the standards of Abt Global to lead a high performing team and ensure strict compliance to USAID and Abt’s policies, regulations, and internal controls.
What We Value
- A Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture, agronomy, natural resource management, international development, rural development or a related field plus eight years of work experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development projects preferred; or a Masters in agriculture, agronomy, natural resource management, inter-national development, rural development or a related field plus six years of work experience in agriculture, agribusiness, or food systems/value chain development projects preferred;
- Prior experience as COP, DCOP or similar position managing 10 or more staff in a complex, multi-disciplinary activity preferred. Demonstrated experience of this kind in very remote and logistically challenging geographies is preferred;
- Demonstrated expertise in leading, coordinating and convening broad stakeholder groups, particularly those composed of international development partners and the United Nations family of organizations, and in reaching consensus among stakeholders on approaches best suited to advance development objectives in a sustainable manner while avoiding undue market distortions is preferred;
- At least five years of demonstrated experience working in active or post-conflict settings with significant humanitarian assistance presence;
- A successful record of leading similar activities supporting food security and nutrition, organizational strengthening, resilience, and food systems development;
- Demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with senior government officials, the business community/private sector, other donors and development partners, and civil society organizations;
- Excellent French and English written and oral communications skills;
- Familiarity with USAID and USG policies and regulations.
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Global is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Global provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates are preferred.
Disclaimer: Abt Global will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
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