Chief of Party, USDA McGovern-Dole

Role Overview

This activity is a 5-year program worth approximately USD $25 to $32 million, expected to start in October 2026. This position is contingent upon funding and donor approval. The Chief of Party (COP) will provide the overall vision, technical expertise, and administrative leadership for the program. You will serve as the project’s primary representative for the USDA, the government of the country of implementation, and other key stakeholders. The COP leads a team of technical experts and support staff, ensuring strict adherence to USDA regulations and World Vision policies.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Oversight and Implementation (25%)

• Oversee all technical aspects of the project, including planning, implementation, project results, and deliverables in accordance with the project work plan.
• Ensure clarity regarding plans and priorities and foster effective collaboration across the project team, which comprises staff from partner organizations.
• Ensure timely and efficient program implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement and Compliance (35%)

• Build and maintain productive working relationships with USDA, project partners, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with USDA requirements, U.S. government regulations, and World Vision’s policies and procedures.
• Serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders.

Operations, Financial, and Administrative Management (20%)

• Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities.
• Direct the planning and budgeting processes; design and oversee an annual project work plan.
• Facilitate the preparation of project deliverables, including annual work-plans, quarterly/annual reports, final project reports, and other communication materials.

Leadership and Capacity Building (15%)

• Supervise a team of technical staff, ensuring clear roles, responsibilities, and lines of communication.
• Provide guidance and mentoring to managers and staff to achieve project goals and develop national leadership capacity.
• Create and maintain proper conditions for learning and establish a safe environment for sharing ideas and analyzing deficiencies.

Representation and Thought Leadership (5%)

• Represent the project at high-level meetings, conferences, and other forums.
• Champion how the project supports USDA’s Learning Agenda and contributes to thought leadership in the education sector.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Requirements

Education and Certifications

• Advanced degree in Education, Agriculture, Nutrition, Public Health, Business Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field.
• Equivalent qualifications in grant management and a work history in developing countries.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience managing and implementing large and complex international donor-funded programs.
• Must have experience specifically as a COP, Deputy COP, or Senior Project Manager.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development project management (USAID/USDA program management required).
• Previous experience in school feeding, nutrition, and literacy programming.
• Experience leading and managing large grants in complex or fragile environments.

Skills

• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and lead multi-disciplinary teams.
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts.
• Familiarity with addressing gender equality, Do No Harm Principles, and adaptive management.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required; fluency in French, Spanish, or Portuguese is advantageous.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the World Vision Workday portal. Visit World Vision Kenya on worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com or follow the application link provided on the MyJobMag portal: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1150767.