Since 1963 and in 146 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 45 projects in 30 countries and total revenues of $174 million.
Program Director, Liberia
We are currently seeking a Program Director for the on-going LAUNCH Project, a five-year, $40 million USAID-funded Title II Multi-Year Assistance Program in Liberia. ACDI/VOCA and its partners, Project Concern International (PCI), John Snow Incorporated (JSI), and Making Cents International (MCI) designed and are implementing a comprehensive action plan to bolster food security in Liberia through the promotion of sustainable livelihood strategies; improved health and nutrition; and increased access to and quality of education in six districts in Bong and Nimba counties.
The Program Director, under the supervision of the Chief of Party (COP), will be responsible for the development, management and coordination of LAUNCH programmatic activities to ensure program goals are achieved and impact maximized. He/she provides leadership and strategic direction for implementation of the Strategic Objective One (SO1), the Crosscutting components of the LAUNCH program, actively manages and coordinates program implementation, and activities in tandem with implementing partners within the consortium. He/she will spearhead and direct the efforts of the SO1 team during planning processes and compile the detailed implementation plans in line with the program strategic objectives, and periodically review the detailed implementation plans to ensure implementation is on course. Additionally, the Program Director will provide technical support to a team including the Senior Agribusiness Director, the Livelihoods Director, the Agricultural Extension Manager, County Program Coordinators, Post-Harvest Handling Specialists and Farming as a Business Specialists.
Responsibilities:
- Provide overall programmatic and technical oversight, including periodic program reviews and compilation of reports, development of annual budget and monthly cash flow projections, and program planning in collaboration with partners
- Work closely with M&E team to identify best practices and lessons learned, ensuring that case studies are properly documented and shared
- Collaborate closely with the COP, consortium members, and the rest of the senior management team to reach program goals and to ensure program deliverables are achieved
- Lead, guide, and manage LAUNCH Strategic Objective One (SO1), as well as entire program implementation through proper work planning to ensure new and relevant technologies, practices, and technical support are delivered across target activity areas
- Review SO1 approaches, activities, and related training materials, making modifications that will ensure achievement of SO1 program targets
- Spearhead the development and transformation of Farmer Group into Farmer-based organizations; devise mechanism to link farmers to micro finance institutions
- Collaborate closely with the SO2 and SO3 team leads to ensure alignment and integration
- Lead development and operationalize LAUNCH sustainability and exit strategy
- Maintain and establish collaborative partnerships with relevant stakeholders including NGOS, INGOS, the private sector, and district-, county-, and national-level government bodies; identify and coordinate new business opportunities to reach program objectives with HQ
- Liaise with local agricultural research institutes to provide guidance on improved technologies to beneficiaries
- Work with the District and County authorities to establish areas of collaboration and support that will ensure sustainability; this may involve integration of LAUNCH plans into local government plans
Qualifications:
- Minimum of seven years’ management and technical experience in an international NGO environment, including experience directing and implementing food security of livelihood programs under USAID
- An advance degree in Agricultural Extension, Food Science and Nutrition, Agribusiness, or related field preferred; A bachelor’s degree in relevant field with 10 years’ experience may be considered
- A strong understanding of challenges facing vulnerable rural farming communicates, especially in Africa
- Previous leadership experience in relevant technical area and strong representational experience with stakeholders, donors and partners, preferable gained in a complex politicize developing economy in a post conflict situation
- Demonstrated experience in resource management, training design and materials development, capacity building, coaching, and mentoring skills
- Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable populations and a commitment to humanitarian principles and accountability frameworks
- Excellent oral and writing skills required; ability to prepare reports against expected results and indicators
- Fluency in English required
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55568361D43515B7E59192F7757186204627B4D. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.
