Chief of Party, USAID Modernizing the Agricultural Sector in Sri Lanka

Palladium Group

Sri Lanka

This Proposal Opportunity:

The Modernizing the Agricultural Sector in Sri Lanka Activity will be the first task order under the upcoming Economic Modernization Activity IDIQ. In partnership with the private sector, the government, and other stakeholders, this activity will provide technical assistance and other support to promote inclusive and sustainable agriculture-led economic growth. To modernize Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, the Activity will: 1) Strengthen inclusive food and agricultural systems that are productive and profitable; 2) Strengthen and expand access to markets and trade; and 3) Increase employment and entrepreneurship by women, youth, and other marginal populations in value-added agriculture and adjacent or related sectors. This Task Order will cut across both of the Economic Modernization Activity’s objectives: 1) Improved Enabling Environment: Provide support to Government of Sri Lanka and other relevant partners to create favorable conditions, including regulatory and policy frameworks and improved economic governance institutions, to facilitate the establishment, growth, and success of businesses in Sri Lanka and increase total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); and, 2) Enhanced Export Competitiveness & Growth for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME): Provide support to SMEs to compete in international markets, expand their export capabilities, overcome barriers and take advantage of opportunities in the global marketplace.

The Chief of Party will be ultimately responsible for the efficient and effective oversight of all elements of the Activity. Their primary responsibilities are to provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction of the program, ensuring an integrated vision across components, and a focus on achieving the desired results. This individual must act as the key liaison with USAID and all other counterparts, implementing partners and stakeholders involved with the program. The position requires significant coordination skills, broad general and technical knowledge, an ability to cope with multiple interests and challenges, experience in developing countries, and skills to ensure coherence and consistency in the face of urgent deadlines.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead technical direction and strategy development for the implementation of the Activity, including leading the development and implementation of annual workplans;
Ensure an integrated, market-oriented strategic vision across components and partners;
Serve as principal liaison with USAID staff, other implementing partners, host country government actors and other private and public sector stakeholders to exchange information and develop professional relationships;
Monitor program indicators, evaluate program results, and guide program implementation to deliver results and impact;
Oversee effective use of resources, on-time delivery of project activity reports and partner deliverables, and overall compliance with USAID regulations and Palladium policies and procedures;
Develop systems that support collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) approach, including establishing a culture of adaptive management;
Administer the program’s financial oversight and procedures, ensuring compliance with established Palladium's accounting principles and USAID regulations;
Identify issues and risks related to program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate program adjustments;
Represent Palladium and the program to the public and donor community.

Key Competencies Required:

Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, international development, agriculture, or related field required; master’s degree preferred;
Minimum 10 years’ experience in enterprise development and competitiveness, market systems development, value chain development, private sector engagement, trade, finance, or investment;
Previous experience as a Chief of Party for projects with similar magnitude and complexity;
Knowledge of and experience with USAID rules and regulations;
Proven ability to collaborate successfully with host-country government officials, international donors, and private sector stakeholders;
Knowledge of agriculture enterprise competitiveness and value chain development; experience working with actors at all levels of agricultural value chains (smallholder to lead firm exporter);
Experience designing, promoting, and implementing multi-stakeholder led, market-driven approaches;
Demonstrated ability to build staff leadership and management capacity;
Experience working in Southern Asia or other context similar to that of Sri Lanka;
Fluency in English with demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication skills.