Deputy Chief of Party

Organization

Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 93 projects in 40 countries and revenues of $124 million.

Project

ACDI/VOCA has been working since 2003 to increase smallholder farmers’ incomes through the introduction of sustainable, diversified cocoa-based agroforestry systems under Viet Nam SUCCESS Alliance. ACDI/VOCA has established cocoa bean quality standards and provided monitoring and training assistance to ensure farmers meet and maintain a level of cocoa bean quality that is required by the global market. The SUCCESS Alliance in the Central Highlands specifically targets poor and ethnic minority communities. The SUCCESS Alliance Viet Nam has so far reached over 22,000 farmers and has collaborated with various cocoa value chain actors. The current project, the Sustainable Cocoa for Farmers Project (SCF) is a follow on to the two SUCCESS Alliance projects.

The SCF project’s goal is to improve the economic well-being of Vietnamese smallholder farmers through the growth of a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable cocoa industry.

Primary objectives for the 30 month follow on under USAID funding are:

Objective 1: Increase the volume of sustainably produced cocoa in Viet Nam
- Activity 1.1: Recruit and train additional farmers
- Activity 1.2: Farmers training on mature cocoa farm cultivation and management

Objective 2: Ensure quality at all levels of the cocoa value chain
- Activity 2.1: Nursery capacity building
- Activity 2.2: Assuring consistent high quality fermented and dried cocoa
- Activity 2.3: Establishing professional and diversified business service centers
- Activity 2.4: Cocoa marketing and market information

Objective 3: Transfer the cocoa development approach to local institutions by enhancing local capacity

Position

We are currently seeking applicants for a Deputy Chief of Party for the SCF project for ACDI/VOCA Viet Nam Office. The estimated start date for this position is early July, 2013 through March 2014 with the possibility of extension if funding available.

The position is based in Ho Chi Minh City with frequent travel to the project sites.

Job Purpose

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will support the Chief of Party (COP) with program implementation. S/he is expected to play a lead role in the design and implementation of program management tasks (i.e., budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and other reporting) related to improving the competitiveness of the cocoa value chains. In support of the overall program, s/he will provide technical leadership in programming, targeting, and oversight of volunteer assistance to small firms and cooperatives in the value chain.

Responsibilities

The DCOP will be responsible for all operations including but not limited to finance, administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting and property, as well as programmatic and administrative functions. These include:

Operational
- Supervise ACDI/VOCA’s day-to-day field presence in the areas of operations (including the project’s facilities such as office space, equipment and project vehicles), administration, logistics, procurement, budgeting, staff management, and financial accounting and act as the Chief of Party when s/he is absent from the project.
- Ensure cost and quality control of all tasks and assignments undertaken to achieve programmatic goals under the cooperative agreement. Ensure contractual compliance with ACDI/VOCA and donor regulations and coordinate with ACDI/VOCA’s awards and compliance team in Washington, D.C.
- Ensure that project implementation is in accordance with USAID and ACDI/VOCA policies, regulations and procedures.

Programmatic
- Represent ACDI/VOCA to external audiences and maintain ACDI/VOCA’s reputation in Viet Nam.
- Support the COP to design activity plans that meet the needs of the beneficiary population and address USAID approved project deliverables.
- Exercise technical oversight of proposed work plans.
- Liaise with service providers, industry partners and other project stakeholders to coordinate project participation in line with project outcomes.

Administrative
- Supervise the daily financial operations of the project, which include cash flow management, time sheet recording, financial reporting to USAID and daily monitoring of obligations, budgets, and expenditures.
- Assume oversight responsibility for asset management and maintenance.
- Manage in-country aspects of the short-term technical assistance provided by volunteers to firms and cooperatives in the cocoa value chain.  Provide quality control on Terms of References, recruitment, mobilization and reporting responsibilities of volunteers, and provide oversight to volunteer deployments.
- Provide support preparing and submitting narrative and financial reports to USAID and HQ.
- Promote staff management skills and capacity with regard to professional development, agricultural development programs and U.S. government regulations and policies.
- Any other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

This position will report to the COP and serve as COP in the absence of COP.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in agricultural economics, business, international development, public-administration, or another relevant field or a Bachelor’s Degree and 5 additional years of experience in the above areas; at least  10 years of experience in project finance and budget management, grants administration, or other relevant experience; strong operational management experience including internal control and procurement systems;  possess strategic thinking ability; excellent oral and written communication, analytical skills, ability to work efficiently and quickly under pressure; prior experience with USAID projects, procedures, policies and reporting requirements;  prior experience in agricultural/agribusiness experience preferred; fluency in English required.

Other Skills:

1.Information management skills (Word processing and spreadsheet application skills);
2.Demonstrated interpersonal and team work skills;
3.Experience managing the finances for a project of similar size;
4.Experience with USAID  policies and procedures, including but not limited to 22 CFR 226 and OMB Circular A-122  or similar work for; other donors/U.S. Government agencies;
5.Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills;
6.Demonstrated understanding of value chain competitiveness and private sector development.

How to apply

Application in English must include a curriculum vitae, cover letter, and full contact details. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this position and that applications will be reviewed on a regular basis. Given the necessity to fill this position as soon as possible, they may offer this post before the closing date. Interested applicants please send your application by COB Jun 30th, 2013 to:

ACDI/VOCA Vietnam
Unit D.2, Ground Floor, 40 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St., Dist. 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
Tel: (84 8) 3930 5689 - Fax: (84 8) 3930 2783 - Email: [email protected]
Website: www.acdivoca.org; www.thesuccessalliance.org

Job Details
Organisation Name: 
ACDI/VOCA Vietnam
Location: 
Ho Chi Minh
Application Deadline: 
Sun, 2013-06-30