With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.
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Employee Contract Type:
Local – Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)
Job Description:
World Vision International (WVI) seeks a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USDA Food for Progress program in Vietnam. The program’s objectives are (I) to increase agricultural productivity and (II) to expand access to trade through local, regional, and international markets. The program has a focus on improving market systems, which can include components of SPS standardization, trade facilitation, customs operations, improved policy for trade, with strong private sector and government engagement.
The Chief of Party is accountable for the overall vision and leadership of the project and is accountable for delivering results, providing overall leadership and management and oversee the implementation of the project. The COP will strive to achieve project objectives through technical direction and visionary leadership within a complex and evolving environment. This individual will establish and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to ensure sustainable, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based approaches. The COP will collaborate closely with relevant host country line ministries and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective cooperation at the national and local level The successful candidate should possess significant experience managing program, financial, and operations of USDA- or other international donor-funded projects.
WVI seeks COP candidates with expertise in the following:
- Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) harmonization and compliance with international standards, including experience working with public, private and civil service organizations in policy development, implementation, monitoring and surveillance.
- Improving productivity and trade of agricultural products through strengthening of climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices and integrated market system strengthening.
- Trade facilitation – including through the aligning of policies, practices, and infrastructure with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Program management
Oversee the technical aspects of the project, including planning, implementation, project results and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan; ensure clarity over plans and priorities, and encourage effective teamwork across the project team, other related departments in World Vision Viet Nam, comprising staff from partner organizations.
Liaison
Build and maintain productive working relationships with USDA, project partners, and key stakeholders while ensuring compliance with USDA requirements, U.S. government regulations, and World Vision’s policies and procedures; serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders.
Finance and Administration Management
Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct the planning and budgeting processes; design and oversee an annual project cycle in accordance with USDA’s annual planning cycles and WVI’s policies
Monitoring & Evaluation- Reporting
Facilitate the preparation of project deliverables, including annual work-plans, quarterly and annual reports, final project report and project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials in accordance with USDA deadlines and branding guidelines; oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual project activity reports, M&E reports, and other deliverables, as specified in the agreement. Report against the project’s targets.
Team Management and Leadership
Supervise a team of technical staff and ensures clear roles and responsibilities and lines of communication are maintained among the team members.
Provides guidance and mentoring to managers and staff to achieve project goals and develop national leadership capacity; represent the project at high-level meetings, conferences, and other fora.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced degree required in Agricultural Economics, Business, Trade, Food Safety or other relevant fields of study related to the project.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development project management (USAID program management required); previous Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Head of Program experience in development field is expected.
- Proven leadership as Project Director or Chief of Party in the design, management, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of similar size and complex international donor support projects with skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, and budgeting.
- Demonstrated technical understanding of facilitating expanded trade of agricultural commodities, as well as managerial experience in Asia is highly desirable.
- Experience managing donor funded programs, particularly USDA Food for Progress programs.
- Recent professional experience in Southeast Asia.
- Proven exceptional leadership in the design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of similar-sized international donor-supported programs, with skills in strategic planning and thinking, management, supervision and budgeting, and experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions.
- Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse public and private partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams.
- Knowledge of USDA, USAID and other donor policies and procedures as related to project management preferred.
- Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam, strongly preferred.
- Ability to diplomatically supervise staff and coordinate projects with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Ability to build coalitions and networks that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions.
- Must be comfortable in high-level representational role as well as interacting with beneficiaries.
- Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written, to effectively coordinate stakeholders.
- Proven leadership skills building and managing cooperative, high-level relationships and motivating diverse teams.
- Extensive experience and/or technical knowledge in designing, managing and evaluating development projects and activities, including experience in portfolio management and implementation, particularly related to agricultural development.
- Demonstrated experience adapting project implementation and activities to achieve objectives and targets as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skills in financial planning and management, human resources, procurement and other management support areas/functions.
- Demonstrated skills building and maintaining relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
- Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Understanding of USDA regulations and policies; experience managing complex contracts and agreements, USDA operating procedures, regulations, and reporting requirements is required.
- Experience recruiting, developing, and managing local and international staff and teams.
- Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
- Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of Southeast Asia, specifically Vietnam, strongly preferred.
- Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
- Excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills.
- Fluency in oral and written English.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE OFFER WILL BE CONFIRMED UPON FUNDING
Applicant Types Accepted:
Local and International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted