Development Food Assistance Program (MYAP) Chief of Party (COP)

World Vision (WV) is one of the largest implementing partners to the United States Agency for International Development/Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP) and currently implements multi-sectoral food security programs in approximately 22 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America & the Caribbean. The total value of its food security portfolio is estimated at approximately $200 million per year. These programs are typically $25 to $80 million in value over a period of 3 to 5 years, although one year emergency programs are possible. WV is developing a grant application for a 5-year, multi-million Development Food Assistance Program (DFAP, formerly Multi-Year Assistance Program or “MYAP”) in Haiti. As such WV is soliciting applications from experienced candidates to serve as Chief of Party for this DFAP. The DFAP is likely to be an agriculture- and health/nutrition-focused food security program in several departments of Haiti.


PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Chief of Party (COP) will have overall responsibility for the management of all program activities and staff. S/he will have principal responsibility for representing the program within Haiti to the United States Government (USG) and other stakeholders. The COP will be responsible for the activities and all long-term and short-term personnel under this grant. The COP shall have a keen understanding of the unique political in-country dynamics and will work carefully and collaboratively with the various political entities in Haiti. The COP should have a holistic understanding of international development, including FFP priorities and emerging trends and should embrace the shared USG/WV vision for the project and effectively manage available financial and human resources to make that vision a reality.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct and oversee the DFAP, ensuring that all program strategic objectives are met through proper detailed component planning, staffing, and results-driven implementation.
• Establish leadership and personal credibility and implement and maintain clearly understood chain of authority and accountability.
• Responsible for ensuring that the program is implemented according to its design, quality standards, and schedule.
• Coordinate with other WV and/or USAID-funded in-country programs and partners to ensure enhanced integration and synergies.
• Organize and direct the work of DFAP staff and short-term advisors. Provide supervision, training and performance appraisals.
• Responsible for overall commodity management of the program, including monetization.
• Evaluate program performance and determine management plan needed to improve goal achievement by participating and conducting agricultural and health surveys, operations research studies, and rapid appraisals.
• Establish and maintain effective project communication systems and knowledge management, including reporting, assessment, and evaluation. Submit to WVUS timely, accurate, and professional program reports, including lessons learned and best practices, which meet donor requirements and WV standards..
• Develop and maintain an adequate human resource plan consistent with WV policies, donor requirements (such as A-110, A-122, A-133, 22 CFR 211, etc.) and local Haitian laws. Ensure and invest in proper technical capacity of the program staff to manage complex USG funded projects.
• Coordinate and oversee hiring process for program management level staff.
• Manage DFAP budget within approved spending levels and ensure accurate and timely financial reports to donors and WVUS IPG headquarters staff.
• Ensure program expenses are reasonable, allocable, prudent and spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations to ensure clean A-133 audits.
• Oversee property and equipment acquisition, disposition, and management in compliance with WV internal and donor requirements.
• Represent the DFAP to USAID, GOH, UN and other appropriate bodies. Research new funding opportunities and develop and write funding proposals for assigned program.
• Carry out additional responsibilities and projects as assigned, including administrative and planning functions.
• Identify opportunities for synergy and ensure integration across DFAP program sectors, with other World Vision Haiti programs and/or with other service providers to maximize impact for beneficiary households and communities.
• Ensure strong integration of gender, do no harm, and accountability to communities (as defined by the World Vision Humanitarian Accountability Partnership), including greater participation of community stakeholders across all sectors, regular communication to communities, and systematic collection of feedback.
  
  Essential Job Functions:
• The COP is charged with leading a professional team in the accomplishment of the program strategic objectives and intermediate results, in a complex implementation context.
• S/he must have a broad vision/strategy linked with a sound ability to get things done amid the constraints of the Haitian context.
• The COP has overall responsibility for managing DFAP activity planning and implementation, DFAP personnel and sub-grantee(s) and sub-contractor(s) in-country, monitoring & evaluation (M&E) efforts, commodities (including monetization and direct distribution logistics), and finance.
• S/he is also responsible for ensuring the security, feasibility, and sustainability of the program under his/her supervision.
• The COP heads a management structure that represents the program to local USAID Mission and other in-country Cooperating Sponsors, international and national program/consortium partners, and the Government of Haiti (GOH) and its relevant line ministries, UN Agencies, and other stakeholders.
  
  Supervisory Responsibilities
• The DFAP COP will have ultimate responsibility for a large staff spread across the country.
• S/he will have direct supervision over project key personnel.
• The COP is responsible for all technical and administrative aspects of the project, including commodity and financial management.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• A Master’s degree in Agriculture, Health, Nutrition, Business, or another field directly related to the program summary above.
• A minimum of five years of overseas international management experience, preferably in administering USAID and/or Food for Peace programs with at least two years experience overseeing USG food aid programs (Title II or USDA).
• Ideal candidates would have an additional expertise (two years or more) in one or more of the following areas: Haiti’s food security programming, grants/compliance, food commodities/logistics, disaster risk management, and/or gender.
• Experience as a COP or senior expert advisor also required.
• Proven ability to manage technical assistance teams is necessary. Knowledge of and familiarity with U.S. Government international assistance program requirements, preferably USAID and/or other bilateral funding agencies is a must.
• Experience managing sub grants and contracts under grants for complex projects is necessary.
• Proven ability in the management of large integrated programs in developing countries; familiarity with USG programs, their history and their development; mastery of USAID regulations governing such programs; ability to integrate teams of professionals around common goals; demonstrated accomplishment in collaboration with host-country professionals, ministries and with donor colleagues in country; leadership of large and diverse teams; diplomacy, strong presentation skills, speaking and writing.
• The successful candidate will have exceptionally strong skills in financial and personnel management.
• English and French (or, preferably, Haitian Creole) fluency is an absolute requirement for the post.
• Must be willing to travel and work for periods of time to field project sites, including rural sites with few amenities.

Development Food Assistance Program (MYAP) Chief of Party (COP)