Chief of Party

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs implementation of the project’s strategic long-term vision, provides overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the USAID-funded private sector development activity.
• Provides expertise in developing and executing locally led, sustainable business models for increasing sales and exports, in the agricultural sector.
• Apply understanding of development assistance in agricultural services, market systems strengthening, to effectively lead and inform the activity’s technical implementation.
• Build, manage, and maintain effective working relations with public and private stakeholders, local organizations, international organizations, private sector partners, civil society, and U.S. Government agencies.
• Ensure compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contract requirements, and Chemonics policies and systems.
• Facilitates close collaboration and teamwork, including mentorship and development of staff, with attention paid to professional development opportunities.
• Serves as the primary liaison between USAID, host-country government, stakeholders, implementing partners, and home office on all program related matters.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree (or international equivalent) MSc, MBA, MPA, or equivalent.
• A minimum of 8-10 years of senior-level experience in managing donor funded programs (USAID preferred).
• Significant experience working with diverse stakeholders in agriculture finance, strategy consulting, private equity, venture capital, SME development, investment banking, or related sector, ideally in Africa.
• Experience mobilizing agriculture investments using inclusive market-based approaches to agricultural development including experience leading negotiations and brokering deals.
• Experience in the financial sector required including experience structuring financial instruments (blended finance, debt, equity) to improve access to finance, preferably in the agriculture sector.
• Relevant experience in East Africa required, experience in Kenya strongly preferred.
• Significant management experience demonstrated through team management, supervisory responsibilities, and general leadership experience.
• Broad general and technical knowledge of the agriculture investment sector in Kenya.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills required; proficiency in Kiswahili preferred.
• This role is expected to be based in Nairobi, Kenya and it is anticipated that there will be significant in-country travel.