Deputy Chief of Party

Ref.: 12-87 DCOP/RRS/SWCA

Screening starts: Oct 22, 2012    |   
Unit: GSPHS    |   
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh    |   
Type: RRS

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks a dynamic Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to be responsible for an ambitious research-for-development initiative that aims to increase incomes of smallholder potato producers in Southern Bangladesh through access to effective low-cost ware and seed storage. This initiative is a new component of an ongoing multi-year USAID-funded “Horticulture Project,” led by CIP and the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC) which will improve incomes and nutritional health of smallholder families in Bangladesh through innovations in potato, sweetpotato, and vegetable production, marketing, and consumption.
The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its vision is of roots and tubers improving the lives of the poor. CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved well-being, and gender equity for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP works with partners to contribute high quality science, technology, and capacity strengthening for sustainable science-based solutions. CIP is headquartered in Lima, Peru, with staff and activities in over 30 locations across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. CIP is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by the 15 research centers who are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.

The position: The DCOP will be located in Dhaka, where she or he will supervise a small team consisting of two specialists in postharvest and engineering and a number of field staff. She or he is expected to provide the team with technical and management guidance. The successful candidate will also be expected to travel frequently in the target region of southwest and south central Bangladesh, where on-site storage activities will be located and where field staff dedicated to the storage project will be located. The DCOP will report to the Horticulture Project COP and will be expected to liaise closely with Horticulture Project staff, key scientific staff of CIP, and local project implementation partners and resource organizations. The DCOP will also be expected to liaise with Faculty of the University of California, Davis, which is co-implementing the storage component with CIP.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The DCOP will lead and manage the storage component of the project and will have the following specific responsibilities:

• Facilitate the establishment of a cohesive, proactive storage team and a strong, mutually respectful partnership of implementing organizations with clear accountability, transparency in its operations, and efficient targeting of low-income potato producers for improved potato storage
• Supervise the socioeconomic assessment of storage in the selected locations
• In parallel with the assessment and in collaboration with local partners, identify suitable locations and interested local producers to establish prototype stores
• Ensure effective community mobilization by partner organization.  Develop strategy for farmers’ institution building and ensure effective implementation of the strategy
• Ensure gender sensitive institution building approach
• Supervise the construction and commissioning of prototype stores and ensure detailed technical, social, and economic evaluation during the storage period On the basis of comparison of evaluation results for different prototypes, design a strategy for going to scale with potato storage Implement a step-wise expansion of storage options for target producers
• Ensure routine monitoring  and reporting of the implementation activities
• Ensure the timely preparation and high quality of all reporting requirements related to the storage work.

Selection criteria:

• Advanced degree in agriculture-related or social science field, PhD preferred
• At least 7-8 years of technical familiarity with agriculture or infrastructure projects
• Strong project management, communications, and interpersonal skills
• Experience in implementing project activities designed on participatory approaches /community empowerment process
• Practical experience in managing socio-economic assessments/surveys
• Familiarity with key gender theories
• Fluency in written and spoken English required.  Knowledge of Bangla a strong advantage
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Minimum five years of proven experience managing similar projects, preferably those funded by USAID
• Superb management capabilities in ensuring administrative and financial efficiency
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and private companies
• Familiarity with or experience working in Bangladesh preferred
 
• Conditions: This is a Regional Research Staff (RRS) position. The employment contract will be for three-years, renewable annually depending on performance and available funds. The salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.  CIP provides additional benefits including employer-paid medical, life and disability insurance and retirement benefits. CIP prides itself on its collegial and supportive working environment, which allows space for personal and professional growth.

• Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a letter of motivation, a full C.V., and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: CIP-Recruitment@cgiar.org . The reference name of the position should be clearly marked in the subject line of the email message. Screening of applications will begin on October 22, 2012 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org.
CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply