Helen Keller
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Chief of Party, Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA)
(Maputo, Mozambique)
Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty. Co-founded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health and food security solutions to build resilience of vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited. In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.
Background
The purpose of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funding for a Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Mozambique is to improve and sustain the food and nutrition security of children under two years of age in Zambezia, Livelihood Zone 5. The objectives of this project are to sustainably improve women’s nutrition even in the face of shocks and improve infant and young child feeding. Project activities will involve work at the individual, household, community and institutional levels to address the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition by focusing on improving access and consumption of nutritious foods, whilst changing behaviors for better nutritional outcomes.
Scope of the Position
The Chief of Party (COP) will provide strategic, managerial and technical oversight to the Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Mozambique. S/he will oversee all aspects of the project implementation cycle, including planning and evaluation, ensure program quality and personnel and financial management. The COP will liaise with USAID/BHA contract officers, technical support staff, partner organizations, outside contractors, and implementers of other USAID and BHA-funded initiatives as required. The COP will represent the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related seminars and meetings.
This position is expected to be based in Maputo, with frequent travel to Zambezia (up to 50%). This five-year position is contingent on Helen Keller being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in January 2022.
Specific Responsibilities
1. Lead the Activity in Mozambique
· Establish relationships with relevant government authorities, USAID/BHA and other partner agencies for project planning and implementation.
2. Programmatic
· Develop, guide and oversee all technical, managerial and operational aspects of the RFSA in Mozambique.
· Lead and oversee the overall planning, coordination and implementation of project activities, including strategic planning, technical direction, work plan and budget development.
· Lead and oversee the results reporting to monitor the project’s performance, including preparing quarterly, annual and other requested reporting as well as other materials to USAID/BHA.
· Ensure that activities are implemented in compliance with USAID/BHA requirements.
· Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the health and nutrition issues in Mozambique including national policy development and key players in government, private sector, INGOs, UN and national/regional and local civil society organizations.
3. Management
· Establish and maintain strong relationships with USAID/BHA and consortium partners in-country, government officials, private sector, other donor agencies and key stakeholders.
· Coordinate and liaise regularly with USAID/BHA, including participation in regular coordination meetings to achieve the project objectives.
- Guide implementation teams to achieve timely, high-quality project deliverables and ensure they meet project objectives and donor requirements.
· Oversee and manage staff and technical consultants hired for the Activity. Build a high-performance team and create a supportive working environment to deliver expected results. Delegate authority, consult with, and guide staff to achieve goals and contribute to an atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development.
· Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, partners, colleagues and donors by providing ongoing feedback in a context of mutual respect.
· Model collaboration for your matrixed team: effectively consult and inform colleagues to maximize efficiency and knowledge sharing and integrate guidance and direction from subject matter experts in your office and elsewhere in the global organization to maximize performance.
· Oversee management of subcontracts/agreements with local partners, including ensuring quality and timeliness of deliverables.
· Communicate program results, through reports, policy briefs, national workshops, etc.
· Travel domestically and internationally as needed.
· Ensure proper budget management and spending per USAID/BHA guidelines and USG cost principles.
· Establish and maintain project communication protocols and ensure proper project file documentation and management protocols in compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
4. Representation and coordination within the organization and other stakeholders
· Represent Helen Keller in in national and international forums, as needed.
· Report to USAID/BHA through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;
· Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including USAID/BHA, government officials, consortium partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions;
· Represent the project and the organization in public and ensure the distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned.
Required Qualifications/Competencies
· Education: Master’s degree in development studies, international relations, agriculture, nutrition, public health, business administration, social sciences, or a related field; plus
· Experience: Over 10 years of professional experience leading USAID-funded programs with similar size and complexity, preferably with direct experience in Mozambique or Southern Africa, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
· Superior leadership, management and communication skills to lead a multi-faceted USAID/BHA-funded nutrition project. This includes professional experience interacting with US Government agencies, host country governments, NGO and private sector stakeholders and fostering new and effective partnerships.
· Demonstrated success across the whole range of project management: strategic program planning; work planning and budgeting; financial, administrative, contractual management and oversight; knowledge of and experience with USAID/BHA requirements (particularly Food for Peace), policies and regulations; relationship management with multiple clients; oversight of program monitoring and evaluation; and documentation of results for USAID/BHA-funded programs.
· Experience working with various BHA modalities (vouchers, cash transfers, local/regional procurement, direct distribution) a plus.
· Experience working on projects related to resilience, agriculture, natural resource management and agribusiness is a plus.
· Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectively in teams and cross-cultural settings.
- Excellent capacity building, team building/management, and coordination skills. An ability to ability to delegate responsibilities effectively and coach and mentor junior staff.
· Ability to respond rapidly to shifting implementation scenarios.
· An ability to work in challenging and changing environments, and to see through challenges to find solutions; an ability to maintain balance when under stress.
· Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.
· Excellent time management and personal organization skills.
· Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken with strong presentation skills.
· Fluency in Portuguese is advantageous. Candidate must be willing to learn Portuguese.
How to apply:
To Apply
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to hki.recruitment@hki.org Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller
is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is fully valued.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or call: +1 646-356-1789.