Nigeria: COP, Support Vulnerable Households Project in Nigeria

Chief of Party, Support Vulnerable Households Project in Nigeria

Effective with the release of this position announcement, Winrock International will be recruiting applicants for the position of Chief of Party for an upcoming project supporting the economic growth and livelihoods improvement program in Nigeria. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description. Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

SALARY & BENEFITS:

The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.

APPLICATIONS:

Applicants should go to www.winrock.org to the Jobs link and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Nigeria Chief of Party by December 16, 2012.

Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.

EEOE/AA.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Chief of Party, Support to Vulnerable Households Nigeria

LOCATION: Nigeria UNIT: Empowerment & Civic Engagement

REPORTS TO: Group Vice President, Empowerment & Civic Engagement

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief of Party will be responsible for implementing and managing a high-quality, results-oriented program to increase rural economic growth and improve livelihoods, nutrition and health among vulnerable households in Nigeria, specifically within Sokoto, the Niger Delta and the Federal Capital Territory. Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Chief of Party is responsible for overall project management, supervision, administration, and implementation of the requirements of a high-quality program. S/he will establish and maintain systems for project operations; ensure that all cooperative agreement deadlines are met and targets are achieved; maintain working relationships with project stakeholders (including subgrantees and/or subcontractors); and oversee the preparation and submission of technical and financial reports to USAID. • Provide overall technical leadership and administrative oversight in order to achieve the results of the program.
• Responsible for the development and submission of the Annual Country Operating Plan (ACOP), Annual Program Reports (APR) and Semi-Annual Program Reports (S/APR), in collaboration with the M & E Director • Oversee program budget and ensure that all financial activity is carried out in accordance with annual budget allocations, Winrock policy, and donor guidelines. • Ensure that all grantees and sub-grantees meet program requirements. • Prepare annual work plans and progress reports, and monitor the implementation of these plans. Prepare and submit quarterly reports on progress of activities and achievement of program results to USAID. • Administer the project's financial oversight and procedures, ensuring compliance with established Winrock accounting principles and USAID regulations. • Maintain close communication with donor, reporting regularly for formal review sessions and providing ongoing, informal updates of program progress. • Provide technical assistance, support, and oversight to local partner NGOs. • Provide technical assistance, support, and information to national and local government officials. • Hire and supervise local project staff and annually evaluate their performance. • Participate in regular field visits to the project areas to assure project progress towards activity objectives and goals. • Represent the project and Winrock to donors, local and national government entities, the media, local NGOs, and the local business community. • Maintain strong communication and coordination regarding program and program activities with Winrock’s home office. • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Bachelor’s level degree required, in international development, management, social science, human rights, economic development, law, public policy, public health, or other related field of study. Master’s degree strongly preferred.

Experience: • Minimum 10 years of professional experience managing complex international development programs required. • Five years of experience managing livelihoods improvement, income generation or rural agricultural programs required. • Experience managing programs of at least $20M value required. • Management of international and national partners and staff strongly preferred. • Experience managing programs with significant grants and cost-share/leveraging requirements essential • Demonstrated capabilities in institutional capacity building, high-level strategic visioning and leadership, and experience in working effectively with civil society, local, regional and central-level government authorities and with USAID or other development partners is required. • Technical, managerial, and/or COP experience on USAID-funded economic growth, livelihoods, rural agriculture or food security projects is strongly preferred. • Technical and managerial experience in Nigeria or similar operating environment strongly preferred. Candidates with relevant experience in Sokoto, the Niger Delta and/or the Federal Capital Territory will have a distinct advantage.

Skills: • Knowledge or understanding of social, economic, and political context governing rural economic development and food security in developing countries, particularly West Africa. • Experience with local and international private firms and NGOs to address rural economic growth and food security preferred. • Fluent English language skills required. • Skills with local language(s) spoken in Sokoto, Federal Capital Territory and/or the Niger Delta (Hausa, Urhobo, Gbagyi, etc.) are considered a strong asset. • Knowledge of US Government regulations, policies, and procedures or those of an equivalently complex international government funding organization. • Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict, and ethical management skills. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft).

Applicants should go to http://www.winrock.org/ to the Jobs link and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing Nigeria Chief of Party by December 16, 2012.