Chief of Party – USAID Transforming Financial Markets for Agricultural SMEs in Africa Activity

Chief of Party - USAID Transforming Financial Markets for Ag SMEs in Africa

About Palladium: 

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3, employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35, experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

This Proposal Opportunity:

Palladium isseeking a Chief of Party for an anticipated USAID-funded program across Kenya,Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia which is anticipated to begin in . TheUSAID Transforming Financial Markets for Agriculture SMEs is likely to be a5-year program focused on mobilizing private capital for agricultural small-and-mediumenterprises (SMEs) strengthen agriculture value chains. The activity will leverageresults-based tools used in USAID’s finance and investment mechanisms –supporting a range of agricultural firms to expand investments and operationsvia a blended finance approach.

The Chief of Partywill provide overall strategic leadership, technical leadership, and oversightto the program, ensuring an integrated vision among different components andactors, and a focus on achieving program results. The COP will coordinate andultimately be responsible for all contract management and implementation. TheCOP will also be responsible for ensuring quality control and providing overalltechnical and management leadership under the award. This individual mustidentify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely mannerand suggest appropriate adjustments. This individual must act as the keyliaison with USAID and all other counterparts on procedural and substantivematters, implementing partners and stakeholders. The COP must be responsive toUSAID including technical direction. The position requires significantcoordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, an ability to copewith multiple interests and challenges, experience in developing countries, andskills to ensure coherence and consistency in the face of urgent deadlines.

Duration: 5years (anticipated start in )
Location: Kenya

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

Provide overall leadership for project management and implementation of project activities.
Manage project partners and project staff, ensuring that they are fully engaged and participating in program implementation.
Serve as the main interface between the project, country governments, United States Government (USG) entities, Palladium senior management, and other relevant stakeholders.
Oversee the project budget and finances, including budget projections, project spending, and financial performance reporting.
Represent the project at relevant professional meetings, working groups, and seminars.
Prepare, contribute to, and provide oversight of analyses, recommendations, briefing notes, white papers, assessments, workplans, and reporting materials for internal and client use. Ensure timely and high-quality submission of deliverables.
Lead strategic development and support of programming in collaboration with USAID and key stakeholders; 
Ensure project risk is effectively monitored and managed;
Serve as Palladium’s primary liaison with donor(s), and other partners including civil society, government, and other related programs and projects; 
Develop and maintain effective partnerships with development partners such as government institutions, private sector, other programs across East Africa, civil society, and media;
Communicate and implement an integrated vision among different components and actors;
Comply with USAID and Palladium reporting requirements on program impact and implementation; 

Key Competencies Required:

Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, economics, business administration, or closely
related field
Have at least ten years of significant international experience and expertise in private-sector, trade and agricultural development to successfully achieve meaningful and sustainable results, preferably in East Africa
Have at least five years’ experience in management, preferably of international development assistance or finance activities. At least three years’ experience in working with the private sector in East Africa will be an added advantage.
Extensive experience facilitating investments and mobilizing inclusive agricultural finance through blended and supply chain financing mechanisms.
Extensive experience working in the financial sector, comfort with a wide range of financial instruments (debt, equity, blended finance), private sector investments in agriculture, out-grower schemes, and agricultural corporates.
Have strong technical expertise, management skills, and English technical writing and communication skills.
Demonstrated experience in successfully supporting business expansion and capital mobilization.
Professional level of oral and written fluency in English.
Proven track record liaising with investors, financial institutions, SMEs, government, USAID, and other key project stakeholders
Proactive problem-solving, decision-making and good judgment skills; attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities
Ability to communicate effectively with managers, colleagues, and clients Microsoft office suite proficiency and the ability to operate spreadsheet and word-processing programs at a highly proficient level Experience with USAID and other USG funding agencies. Additional experience with other international donors EAC nationals are encouraged to apply. Prior work experience inthe region required.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion  - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.