Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) Director

Chemonics seeks a Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) Director for the Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity in Ukraine. This position is remote but will require travel to Ukraine. The purpose of AGRO is to accelerate the economic development of rural Ukrainian communities with the greatest need through a better governed agricultural sector that encourages more productive, modern, and profitable micro, small, and medium (MSMEs) agricultural enterprises that are successfully integrated into competitive markets both in Ukraine and internationally.

This is a long-term assignment that will begin on or about December 2, 2022. and end on or about August 30, 2026. The position is remote, but travel to Ukraine and work hours overlapping with business hours in Ukraine should be expected.

The SIF Director is responsible for the management of the AGRO SIF Team. Their tasks include building and overseeing strong teams that have the capacity to carry out their functions in full compliance with local and US law, USAID rules and regulations as well as Chemonics policies, procedures, and best practices. The SIF Director will provide overall leadership, further refine existing systems to maximize efficiency, and ensure successful implementation of technical activities. AGRO is a seven-year project and was recently awarded a cost modification, with a significant increase under subawards, construction, contracts, and training. The SIF Director will report to the AGRO Chief of Party or their designee.

Chemonics International Inc. is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 95 countries. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of the activity’s project office strategic investment fund
• Apply a lean management philosophy to analyze, optimize, and develop performance metrics for the processes and structures of AGRO’s SIF
• Ensure that all activities within the SIF Director’s area of responsibility comply with the terms and conditions of the AGRO cooperative agreement, local and US law, USAID rules and regulations, and Chemonics policies, procedures, and best practices
• Exercise day-to-day supervision of the AGRO project office SIF
• Design and organize capacity building for the most appropriate SIF mechanism(s) to successfully complete work plan activities and meet MEL plan targets
• Ensure compliance with audit requirements, including for instance document verification and file management
• Establish and maintain a real-time tracking system for SIF activities including but not limited to real-time data on financial spending, activities organized by geospatial data, status and type of activity, a calendar of all events by sub awardees, contractors, etc
• Analyze, assess, and assist with the administrative and financial aspects and the disbursement of subawards and contracts
• Implement financial control systems and tools to ensure transparency and accuracy in reporting information
• Ensure protocols are in place to promote environmental compliance monitoring throughout implementation of SIF and all other AGRO activities
• In collaboration with the home office project management unit, draft approval requests for subawards, contracts, restricted goods, etc. related to SIF implementation, ensuring that the required and appropriate approvals are in place in advance of activity initiation
• Prepare and oversee preparation of reports and similar documents as required
• Liaise with the USAID Ukraine mission as requested by the Chief of Party
• As a member of the AGRO team, ensure implementation of program activities in accordance with Chemonics’ business code of ethics and USAID and Chemonics policies and regulations
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business, finance, international development, or another relevant field preferred
• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 10 years of progressive work experience OR Master’s with a minimum of 7 years of progressive work experience in leading international donor-supported programs (e.g. implementation, logistics, budgeting, staffing), preferably those funded by USAID and in Eastern Europe
• Certifications in Lean or Six Sigma, or experience managing projects using DMAIC methodology preferred
• PMP certification preferred
• Experience managing a large portfolio (i.e. $10 million or more) of USG subawards/grants and (sub)contracts overseas required
• Experience managing subawards and contracts under cooperative agreements desired but not required
• Strong leadership capabilities including organizational and problem-solving skills with a robust commitment to providing capacity building to local teams
• Ability to work quickly and creatively without sacrificing compliance or quality to operationalize AGRO activities
• Excellent interpersonal skills to form effective working relationships at all levels including with USAID and the Chemonics Washington, DC office
• High level of knowledge and experience using Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams required
• Experience with project management software such as MS Project Online, Wrike, or Monday highly desired
• Ability to employ the use of Power BI to report on portfolio performance and Power Apps to streamline and automate processes would be a bonus. Having the curiosity and interest in doing so with others is required
• Fluent English required
• Knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is strongly preferred
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize multiple work assignments in an extremely fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, and exercise good, professional judgment required
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity