Chief of Party for USAID’s Knowledge Driven Agricultural Development (KDAD) Project

Dexis is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five (5) year USAID funded Knowledge Driven Agricultural Development (KDAD) Project working closely with the Bureau for Food Security (BFS). This will be a full-time, key position based in Washington DC. The purpose of the project is to build on existing USAID investment in Knowledge Management and Communications and Training activities.

BFS seeks to develop a new mechanism to promote Knowledge-Driven Agricultural Development (KDAD) through effective, innovative knowledge management (KM), strategic communications, and training services. KDAD will use innovative means to systematically mobilize and share best practices and lessons learned about the effectiveness of strategies, interventions, and methods to sustainably reduce hunger, poverty and under nutrition across USAID and with other federal partners implementing the Feed the Future (FTF) Initiative. It will also heavily support efforts to advance and improve internal and external strategic communications and outreach efforts around BFS’ work and FTF’s process and progress. The KDAD activity will serve as BFS’s primary tool for capturing, sharing and adapting best practices around agriculture-led economic growth and nutritional enhancement to ensure the bureau’s technical leadership and communication continue successfully.

The KDAD activity will complement Agency-wide learning, evaluation and research activities and will focus on and integrate the following three types of activities:

KM component: Activities will include strengthening of intra-Agency and external knowledge sharing and learning; assessing KM needs; improving the flow of knowledge; and developing systems to curate, display and manage information.

Communications component: Activities will include strengthening the BFS and FTF strategic communications portfolios (internal and external); event coordination and assistance; outreach and engagement support; and strategic communications technical support.

Training component: Activities will include designing courses and course materials; conducting and facilitating in-person and online training; and developing online accessible learning modules.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief of Party will provide vision, direction, strategic leadership and management to the contract, and will be responsible for ensuring activities performed meet this vision and overall spirit of this project. He/she will have the leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, professional reputation, management experience, interpersonal skills and professional relationships to fulfill the diverse managerial and technical requirements in the scope of objectives.

Expected responsibilities include:

• Oversight of support to BFS as well as to other USAID operating units that may buy into the contract.
• Provide technical design and management of activities.
• Serve as primary liaison with USAID COR and Contracting Officer.
• Liaison with other international organizations and other USAID projects.
• Management of all subcontractors, technical consultancies and technical reporting
• Ensure quality control and the overall responsiveness of technical assistance provided under the contract, including necessary adjustments to operations to fit the requirements of USAID.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least ten (10) years of experience as a senior technical officer or equivalent, for an international development activity or equivalent.
• At least five (5) years supervisory and project management experience.
• At minimum, a Master’s degree in Organizational Development, International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, or in areas related to Knowledge Management, Strategic Communications, or Adult Learning.
• A proven record of excellent management, leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal skills, including being an articulate speaker and sympathetic listener.
• Must have knowledge of U.S. Government foreign assistance in agriculture and food security activities and policies.
• Must have a demonstrated understanding of knowledge management, strategic communications, and/or training approaches.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• U.S. Government work experience is desired.
• US Citizen.

Dexis Consulting Group is a fast growing international development consulting firm that provides economic revitalization services to developing regions worldwide. Established in 2001, the firm has completed 200 assignments in over 50 countries. The company head offices are in downtown Washington, DC. Dexis is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply using the following:

Go to www.dexisonline.com, click “careers”, select position, click "apply for this position”.