Background:
Land O’Lakes International Development is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose vision is to be a global leader in transforming lives by engaging in agriculture and enterprise partnerships that replace poverty with prosperity, and dependency with self-reliance. We leverage Land O’Lakes, Inc.’s near-century of history by implementing donor funded in international agriculture and economic development programs, implementing more than 280 programs in 80 countries since 1981.
Project Description:
Land O'Lakes is receiving applications for staff positions on the upcoming, anticipated USAID-funded Feed the Future Malawi Ag Diversification Activity. The projected five-year contract will contribute to USAID/Malawi’s Feed the Future goal of sustainably reducing poverty and malnutrition in eight districts of Central and Southern Malawi. The project will foster inclusive and sustainable growth in Malawi’s agricultural sector, enhance resilience to climate change, empower women, and improve the nutritional status of women and children, and at the same time increase the competitiveness of marketable, nutrient-rich value chains through support for agricultural enterprises and increased access to markets and finance.
Position summary:
The Deputy Chief of Party – Operations (DCOP-Ops) will oversee the management of project operations and compliance, including grants subcontract management, financial management, human resources, and all other administration aspects of the project. The DCOP - Ops will hold overall responsibility for managing a large grant fund and assuring full compliance with USAID and Land O’Lakes rules, regulations and procedures. The DCOP-Ops will manage numerous staff including the finance, grant management teams, and other administrative teams.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Oversee effective and compliant implementation of the project’s subaward fund;
· Develop efficient and compliant management systems for finance, accounting, grants and subcontract management, human resources, and other administration functions (e.g. IT);
· Develop and implement strong systems of internal control;
· Ensure that strong coordination and communication between field and Land O’Lakes headquarters management is maintained through the life of project;
· Provide strong, ethical leadership on all human resource and procurement related matters, including adherence to Land O’Lakes’ code of conduct;
· Coordinate and contribute to the development of reports for the donor, the host country and Land O’Lakes;
· Monitor budget, fund disbursal and financial records to ensure that project expenditures are in compliance with Land O’Lakes and USAID policies and regulations;
· Develop budgets and forecasts which align with project work plans;
· Ensure timely spending forecasts to be provided to the donor as necessary and for internal management purposes;
· Provide regular training and coaching to staff on donor regulations including procurement and sub award monitoring;
· Conduct due diligence of grantees and sub-partners ;
· Provide capacity building support to local partners in sub-award management to be compliance with USAID rules and regulations;
· Review and oversee financial management and administrative procedures;
· Liaise with USAID and other stakeholders to ensure visibility and representation of Land O’Lakes program activities;
· Serve as Acting Chief of Party when required.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
· Advanced degree in International Development, Business Management, Economics, Accounting, or related field, or equivalent working experience in similar position on a donor-funded project.
· Minimum 5 years of experience in operations management for large, donor-funded projects with significant grants components; prior experience working on a large USAID contract with grants preferred;
· Strong knowledge of and experience working with USAID grant and sub-grant rules and regulations;
· Relevant experience managing and leveraging grants to achieve improved agriculture market system performance and increased benefits to female, male and youth actors strongly preferred;
· Expertise in local capacity building of local organizations and institutions, both public and private sector;
· Proven track-record in managing a sizeable and diverse team;
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal in English;
· Experience working on projects that include mainstreaming gender and youth in agriculture, nutrition and resilience activities strongly preferred.
Malawian candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please note only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please.
We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Land O'Lakes enforces a policy of maintaining a drug-free workforce.
