Chief of Party, Niger OIC International

OIC International is currently seeking a Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID-funded Title II Development Food Aid Program in Niger. The overall strategic objective for the Title II development program in Niger is to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable rural populations in Niger.

Job Title: Chief of Party, Niger

Reports to: Managing Director of Programs, HQ

Scope: The Chief of Party (COP) holds the highest level of decision-making authority for OIC International in Niger. S/He is OIC International headquarters’ representative in Niger and is responsible for providing leadership and supervision to all country program staff and for the management and administration of OIC International’s activities in country. The COP is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with key partners, donors, contractors and the government and for new programs development and resource mobilization in the country.

Chief of Party duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Leadership and Supervision: Provides overall leadership and direction to senior country team members and promotes the vision and mission of OIC International in Niger. Coordinates senior management team activities for effective decision-making that will provide sound management advice and recommendations for the program. Plans program activities and implementation strategies for the program. Manages and supervises a team of program and financial managers.

2. New Program Design: Assists in design and implementation of socio-economic studies and new programs. Writes and elaborates proposals and community development plans.

3. Program Implementation: Provides technical assistance and advice to donor, contractors and staff on program design and implementation strategies. Plans, coordinates and implements technical training workshops and seminars including training of trainers for staff and partner organizations. Ensures that implementation plans are followed rigorously and that proposed results are obtained.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting: Regularly monitors and evaluates program and staff performance in the field and reports to donors and headquarters on field program activities. Ensures that effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation systems are in place and functioning. Ensures that planned reports are submitted to donor agencies and contractors on time.

5. Financial Management: Monitors financial resources and ensures efficient and effective use of program financial resources, demonstrated by successful attainment of project goals and objectives within stated budgets, and successful financial audits.

6. Human Resource Management: Supervises the Human Resource Manager. Ensures standard operating procedures as well as human resource procedures are developed and functional. Ensures adequate human resources are in place to manage and implement program activities. Ensure staff morale, motivation and performance are high. The COP is responsible for ensuring that staff performance evaluations are completed annually.

7. Resource Mobilization and Fundraising: Develops and implements an overall country strategy for resource mobilization that includes public as well as private sector development efforts. Plays a lead role in the identification of resources for program development activities by identifying potential donors and contractors, by networking and marketing OIC International’s programs and services, and by developing proposals and following up on their approval.

8. Affiliate Support: Provides managerial, technical and resource mobilization support to the affiliate OIC programs through the organization of technical assistance visits, workshops, networking, fundraising and participation in affiliate board meetings.

9. Representation: Represents OIC International at key government, donor, contractor and Niger OIC Board meetings, workshops and seminars. Performs other duties and responsibilities as directed by OIC International headquarters. Cultivates and maintains productive relationships with program stakeholders, potential and existing partners, contractors and donor agencies. Ensures timely and effective responses to needs of donors and contractors.

10. Public Relations: Ensures public relations plan developed and implemented to showcase OIC International’s activities and accomplishments in country. Strengthens the visibility and image of OIC International by ensuring the development of appropriate communication tools and materials and through representation at selected meetings, forums, donor agency presentations, program launches and ceremonies, radio, television and newspaper interviews and coverage.

Qualifications/ Skills/ Knowledge and Experience:

Educational Background: The position requires a person with a minimum of a Master’s Degree in an International Development related field, such as Agriculture, Economics or another social science.

Work Experience: The applicant should have development experience of no less than eight (8) years of which at least four (4) should have been spent working, managing and implementing development programs in one or more developing countries.

Food Security and Food Aid Management Experience: The applicant should have experience in designing and implementing multi-year operational plans, knowledge of food aid rules, regulations, and reporting, and experience in food aid management including food distribution and monetization of food commodities.

Project Management and Leadership: Knowledge and experience in project management and leadership, which involves strategic planning, program activities design and implementation, supervising staff, human resource management, training, and other related activities.

Program Design: Knowledge and skills in the design and management of sustainable development institutions. Ability to create sustainable impact among client-beneficiaries and their communities.

Human Relations and Training: Excellent interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to local cultural norms and practices. Ability to communicate in public and give speeches to an audience. Must have training and facilitation skills to provide technical assistance and training to staff.

Other Skills: Qualified candidates should have computer skills, including internet, email and word processing and must be fluent in spoken and written English and French. Should also have competence in verbal and written communication skills and must be a good writer.

To apply, please submit cover letter, CV as well as salary and benefit requirements to vkilcrest@oici.org by January 31, 2012. No phone calls please. Only finalists will be contacted. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. EOE.