Chief of Party & Country Manager

Duties and Responsibilities:

Chief of Party

• Provides overall technical leadership, management oversight and strategic direction for this project in close collaboration with the Global Program Director.
• As the primary liaison with USAID, leads the design and monitor the project implementation by ensuring that is responsive to communities, partners, NGOs, senior government officials, counterparts, and the donor community and is aligned with CIP and CGIAR principles, values, and strategic plan.
• Lead the technical and financial team to ensure a focus on core results, achievement of annual work plan and targets, and timely and effective implementation of activities to achieve project objectives.
• Facilitate the implementation of agri-business value chain activities in all target beneficiaries and participate in the monitoring of progress made towards achieving value chain and project set goals.
• Present the activities, results, impacts, and outcomes of the value chain at professional, donor, and other stakeholders’ meetings meeting high quality standards.
• Monitors the progress and pace of the activity’s implementation, assuring that the full potential of the activity is realized through the promotion of high-quality work and internal control.
• Represent the project via donors, private sector and research partners and build strong and productive partnerships with them.

Fundraising & Management

• Head CIP’s Georgia Office and liaising with Regional Director for Asia and Headquarters to assure financial accountability, contractual norms, and communication roles.
• Provide timely and effective oversight of the financial position of the country program including identification and implementation of required changes to match funding levels.
• Maintain effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds.
• Play the role of institutional representation at country level in CAC region with donors, partners, regional fora and networks, programmatic meetings/institutions, CGIAR regional meetings, to support projects.
• In coordination with the Risk & Security Unit ensure that the security management plan for the country program is updated and adherence by all staff to CIP security protocols and procedures.
• Maintain safe & healthy work environment by establishing, following and enforcing standards and procedures, complying with legal regulations.
• Createaworkatmosphereconducivetoprofessionalgrowthanddevelopmentofexcellent personnel at all levels.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees and ensuring that all staff members are effectively using the performance planning and management system.

What are we looking for?

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Business Agriculture, Agribusiness or related area. A strong background on potato and/or crop production in Georgia is required.
• 8 years of professional experience at a senior operating role in a global research organization or business enterprises in multiple countries or equivalent.
• Strong expertise in implementing and scaling up interventions.
• Experience working on multi-partner programs and with National research institutions.
• Strong, demonstrable written and oral communication skills in English and the local language (Georgian)
• Demonstrable experience operating in main agricultural regions in Georgia, particularly in those were potatoes play a major role.
• Demonstrable experience operating in the Georgian culture

Why should you consider this opportunity?

• CIP is dedicated to achieving food security, improved nutrition and well-being, and gender equality for poor people in root and tuber farming and food systems of the developing world. CIP’s mission contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals
• CIP is a member of the CGIAR, a network of 15 research centers that are mostly located in the developing world and supported by more than 50 donor members.

What are we offering?

• Exciting career opportunity in an international organization.
• The contract will be for 8 months which is the duration of the project with possibility of renewal.
• Internationally competitive salary, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience. Internationally competitive pension and health plans

How to apply?

Please click below and find the vacancy where you can submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your references (preferable recent supervisors). Screening of applications will begin on May 30 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

This position will NOT work or have contact with children and/or vulnerable adults

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

 CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries are particularly encouraged to apply.