Position Description

RTI International is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party – Technical (DCOP – Technical) for USAID/Democratic Republic of Congo’s Feed the Future Flagship Agriculture Activity. The DCOP – Technical will be responsible for overseeing technical staff who are responsible for activity implementation. This position will ensure that activities are of high quality, collaborative, and deliver the intended impact and will guide collaboration with stakeholders across the agriculture and food system to ensure that activities are sustainable, effective, and meet locally priorities.

Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Manage technical personnel and subcontractors in the implementation of a large, complex activity to build capacity of actors in targeted value chains.
• Jointly with the COP, manages relationships with USAID, government counterparts, private partnerships, local organizations, and program partners, and serves as Acting COP during any absence of the COP.
• Oversee technical implementation of subcontracts and grants and coordinates closely with the Finance and Operations Director on financial oversight of subcontracts and grants.
• Ensure all technical activities meet contractual obligations and are implemented in accordance with USAID regulations in close collaboration with the Finance, Operations, and technical teams.
• Ensure effective coordination and synergies between policy-level, market-level, and community-based activities, while managing procurements, deliveries, and other related logistical actions.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, and work planning for all technical activities.
• Coordinate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager to track and report on programmatic achievements and success stories as required for project deliverable reporting.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 years of experience, Master’s degree and 10 years of experience, PhD and 6 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience and expertise in the implementation of large and complex projects that improve the productivity, resilience and inclusivity of agricultural and food systems, use market facilitation approaches to strengthen local partners and organizations, and improve nutrition outcomes for target groups, such as women and children.
• Eight (8) years of progressive senior management experience on programs of similar sized international donor programs with strong skills in strategic planning, management, supervision, procurement and budgeting similar size and scope.
• Demonstrated experience managing technically, operationally, and geographically diverse teams.
• Demonstrated and substantive experience working with agri-food system stakeholders, including the private sector, smallholder farmers, community groups, and local government.
• Demonstrated understanding of the agribusiness agri-food system in the Democratic Republic of Congo or similar environment.
• Fluency in French and English required.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID, DfID, or Australian Aid as applicable, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in building, mobilizing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.
• Demonstrated managerial skills.
• Strong leadership skills across various levels of staff and locations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo.