Chief of Party (PARE Project) – Haiti

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is looking for Chief of Party (COP) in Haiti.

Background:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries — creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O’Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O’Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.

Proposal Summary:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is implementing the USAID-funded Programme d’Appui à la Rentabilisation de l’Elevage (PARE) project with a period of performance from January 9, 2023 – January 8, 2028. The program aims to advance livestock production (cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, eggs, and dairy) market systems and to diversify incomes to increase the resilience of communities in two Resilience Focus Zones (RFZ) – one is located in the southern region (South Department) and the other in parts of the north (North, Northeast and Plateau Central Departments). The Program will address key opportunities and constraints to increase livestock productivity, facilitate private sector engagement, and manage environmental and natural resource considerations. PARE will build upon lessons learned from past USAID and other donor funded activities and will coordinate closely with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs and will align with the Government of Haiti’s priorities.

Position Summary:

The COP will provide strategic vision, overall leadership and technical direction to the project. The COP will ensure the project is planned and executed with quality, accountability and measurable impact. The COP will be the primary liaison with USAID, other NGO implementing partners and the Government of Haiti. The COP will manage project staff and local and international sub implementing partners to ensure proper reporting, financial management, and compliance. The COP is expected to provide a vision and technical leadership for project interventions and must be skilled in leading a team to identify solutions that strengthen the resilience of local communities and market actors.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall management to achieve project results while serving as principal liaison with U.S. Government (USG) representatives, other implementing partners, relevant government of Haiti counterparts, the private sector and other public and private stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction and leadership as well as oversight of all administrative matters in all program areas.
• Develop and implement work plans for project activities and all project deliverables.
• Oversee implementation of project monitoring, evaluation and learning activities and ensure that project results are met.
• Supervise development and submission of project deliverables within budget and provide timely and accurate reporting and briefings to USG/Stakeholders on all program areas
• Ensure project is implemented in full compliance with Venture37 standard operating procedures and practices and all relevant USAID and USG rules and regulations.
• Manage the program team in a manner that is open and respectful, encourages professional development, and solicits constructive staff input.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• An advanced degree (e.g., MA/MS, PhD) in agribusiness, international development, economics, business management, agricultural or rural development or other relevant field from an accredited U.S. college or university, or international equivalent.
• A minimum of 15 years of demonstrated senior management experience in managing relevant and complex USAID and other donor-funded development programs, particularly in complex environments.
• At least 8 years of COP or similar experience.
• Demonstrated technical and management expertise in agricultural and/or livestock development and resilience strengthening projects, in Haiti, the Caribbean, or similar development contexts.
• Proven leadership skills building and managing cooperative, high-level relationships and motivating diverse teams.
• Proven experience managing teams in complex environments, with experience managing teams remotely.
• Proven ability to liaise with USAID and other donor-clients, host country governments, and diverse sets of public and private sector stakeholders.
• Extensive experience and/or technical knowledge in designing, managing projects and activities, particularly related to livestock, community resilience, natural resource management and similar programming.
• 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 complex development contexts.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in financial planning and management, human resources, procurement and other management support areas/functions.
• Experience overseeing project start-ups, particularly in complex environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills.
• Fluency or proficiency in oral and written French.
• Fluency in oral and written English.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience managing projects with a significant grants component to facilitate private-sector and locally led development approaches. Experience overseeing grant mechanisms under USAID contracts preferred.
• Conversational Haitian Creyole.