iDE (International Development Enterprises)

iDE is an international NGO with 42 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based solutions to poverty. iDE is headquartered in Denver, Colorado USA and operates in 12 countries around the world.

iDE believes inclusive markets are the most powerful tool for creating prosperity, building resilience, and ultimately ending poverty. By listening to every stakeholder—producers, suppliers, retailers, and customers—we can overcome critical bottlenecks and develop lasting solutions. At iDE, we continually challenge assumptions, make effective data- and evidence-driven decisions, and enable agile delivery of strategies and resources toward improved outcomes for our interventions. We also work to transform beliefs and practices that perpetuate inequality and use the knowledge we acquire to design social and behavior change programming that promotes the creation of resilient market ecosystems, which benefit all people.

iDE is seeking applications from qualified candidates for Chief of Party (COP) for the anticipated five-year USDA Food for Progress Project in one or more of the following countries: Ethiopia, Vietnam, Ghana, and Kenya. The Food for Progress program aims to support the growth in agricultural productivity and expand trade of agricultural products domestically, regionally, and internationally for the selected value chain.

The COP will provide overall leadership and management and oversee the implementation of the project. The COP will strive to achieve project objectives through technical direction and visionary leadership within a complex and evolving environment. This individual will establish and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders across the public and private sectors to ensure sustainable, cross-sectoral, and evidence-based approaches. The COP will collaborate closely with relevant host country line ministries and other critical partners to provide high-level support for effective cooperation at the national and local level.

This position is subject to USDA approval and contingent on project award and funding.

Requirements

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for someone who shares the above-stated views and values. The Chief of Party also must have well-developed analytical and financial skills and understand how markets for agriculture work in selected country contexts, as well as a good understanding of finance, governance, entrepreneurship, and trade facilitation.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

Program Management:

• Manage, lead, and oversee all staff, consultants, and subgrantees in achieving project results
• In conjunction with USDA and iDE headquarters, determine annual priorities and develop work plans
• Implement effective decision-making systems, including internal management, overall reporting, and communication internally and outside of iDE
• Monitor internal systems and procedures ensuring efficient and proper use of resources and ongoing collaborating, learning, and adapting
• Ensure coordination between consortium partners, local government, and other stakeholders to promote a streamlined, cohesive approach to implementation.
• Ensure that the program is technically sound, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of the focus country and its people. Oversee development and management of monitoring and evaluation systems aligned with USDA requirements.
• Champion inclusive markets systems and private sector linkages
  
  
  

Finance and Administration Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations on program implementation
• Provide administrative and financial management consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures, in close cooperation with the Country Director, Senior Regional Director, and other iDE headquarters staff
• Develop and maintain all administrative and financial controls
• Ensure that administration and financial procedures, practices, and reporting are effective and in compliance with iDE standards and general accounting & administrative guidelines
• Ensure that all field offices are run in compliance with established administrative and financial procedures
• Ensure adherence to relevant government regulations concerning operations for not-for-profit organizations and for maintaining the good legal standing of iDE in the country of implementation
  
  
  

Human Resource Management:

• Consistent with iDE organizational policies and procedures, and in close cooperation with iDE headquarters HR staff, develop and manage Human Resource functions for the project, including:
• Preparation of job descriptions
• Identification, funding, and hiring of personnel
• Development and implementation of annual performance reviews for all project personnel
• Staff onboarding, professional development, and training
• Ensuring all HR practices in the project adhere to iDE policies & procedures and country-specific labor laws, insurance, and tax regulations
  
  

Liaison:

• Serve as the project's principal liaison with USDA, key government officials, international and local organizations and key private sector representatives. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with above-mentioned stakeholders
• Ensure effective communication with iDE headquarters, including timely submissions of program reports, financial reports, planning documents, and reports to donors
• Ensure effective communication with other iDE country programs and committees
• Participate in collaborative efforts with other NGOs, national and local governments, donors, public and private sector partners, etc
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in International Development, Business, Finance, Management, Agriculture/Agri-business or related field or equivalent experience
• 7+ years relevant leadership or senior management experience leading and managing complex development programs and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Technical expertise in value chain development, agricultural production, agricultural/food safety standards, food security, nutrition, and/or market systems development
• USDA experience strongly preferred with a preference for candidates with previous COP or DCOP experience on USDA-funded projects, including in-depth knowledge of USDA's Food for Progress (FFPr) approaches and regulations
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituencies and cultures
• Proven track record fostering inclusive and collaborative learning and adaptive management
• A demonstrated history of success investing in relationships with government representatives and other key partners
• Ability to work collaboratively and to foster a cooperative environment
• Proven ability to develop and manage financial management information systems
• Excellent speaking, writing, and oral communication skills in English and, as appropriate to the country context (e.g. Vietnamese, Amharic, etc.)
• Ability to think innovatively and practically and translate thinking into real world outputs. Experience with Human Centered Design and Design Thinking preferred
• Strong understanding of the policy, social, economic, environmental, and cultural context in selected countries desired
• Experience in one or more of the selected countries strongly preferred, Alternative or additional experience in similar contexts will be considered
  
  
  

Benefits

Location: The candidate must be located in or willing to relocate to one of these four countries: Ethiopia, Vietnam, Ghana, Kenya

Application Deadline: May 31, 2025