Deputy Chief of Party – Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity

Background:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in crop inputs, agricultural insights, dairy and animal nutrition from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.

Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for nearly 40 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.

Project Summary:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is preparing for an anticipated USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity with a potential procurement release date later in 2023. The purpose of the Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity is to improve Sri Lankan economic competitiveness through an improved business enabling environment, agriculture sector efficiency, increased small and medium business export competitiveness, and upgraded workforce capacity.

Position Summary:

The DCOP will support the COP with providing day-to-day guidance on project management and technical activities. S/he will support the food systems and policy, work with staff, home office and USAID to adjust programmatic approach, staffing and resources as required based on continuous monitoring of project activities. The position will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist the COP in developing and executing project workplans and overseeing and implementing project activities.
• Provide leadership, management and direction to field-level activities.
• Lead and oversee technical team and components and ensure activities align with the workplan.
• Adapt project implementation and activities to achieve objectives and targets as needed.
• Liaise with governmental agencies and donor offices to ensure visibility and representation of Venture37 program activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical activities to implementing partners.
• Ensure gender equality and socially inclusive approaches are integrated into programming and effectively implemented; regularly identify learnings, refining the design as needed to improve social inclusion across project activities.
• Provide or facilitate capacity building and training to team, beneficiaries, and partners.
• Assist the COP in monitoring, evaluation and reporting functions.
• Serve as Acting Chief of Party when required.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree (e.g. BA/BS) in agribusiness, international development, economics, business management, or agriculture, or other relevant field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience, preferably in Sri Lanka, leading international donor-supported programs.
• Proven leadership skills building and managing cooperative, high-level relationships and motivating diverse teams.
• Demonstrated networking capability with government, private sector and/or non-government entities in Sri Lanka.
• Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing, managing development projects and activities, particularly related to competitiveness projects.
• Proven capacity to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts.
• Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills.
• English and Sinhala oral and written fluency.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• An advanced degree (e.g. Master’s) in agribusiness, international development, economics, business management, agricultural or rural development or other relevant field.
• Seven (7) years of demonstrated senior management experience managing relevant donor-funded programs.

The position described above is contingent upon activity award.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.

Land O’Lakes never requests money or payment from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes.