Chief of Party - AMP based in Afghanistan

Position:   CHIEF OF PARTY

Project: Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP)

Location: Kabul, Afghanistan

Reports to: ROP Executive Director

Start Date and Contract Period: January 2, 2023 --- Contract expected to be for Two Years (subject to project extension)

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Roots of Peace (RoP) is a humanitarian organization that has worked in war-torn countries around the world, with our partners, to remove the remnants of war, landmines, and unexploded ordinances, and restore the land to rebuild peaceful communities for generations to come. Our proven methodology is rooted in a philosophy of providing market-driven solutions tailored to farming communities of war-torn lands, serving as a catalyst for industry-wide development.  By improving farming techniques, addressing supply chain gaps, and supporting local exporters in reaching high-value markets, Roots of Peace improves livelihoods and contributes to building peace in war-torn lands.  We work with farmers and local communities to remove the remnants of war, then identify the agricultural challenges hindering the ability of client beneficiaries to achieve maximum income potential.  This may involve introducing grape farmers to trellising, which more than doubles output, or replacing low-value cereal crops with high-value fruits and nuts. We also train farmers in the latest agricultural techniques and provide machinery grants so that exporters can transition to high-volume processing.  We make sure exporters have the tools and training to meet the demands of discerning overseas markets, then link them with buyers in those markets, thereby generating greater revenue for exporters and the farmers they serve.  By repairing gaps in the agricultural value chain, we help our clients achieve greater economic independence, a fundamental requirement for peace.

In Afghanistan, Roots of Peace has facilitated the export of $450 million in fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and spices to new and existing overseas markets, provided training for nearly 200,000 Afghan farmers in a wide variety of horticultural skills, provided $1.5 million in machinery grants and created 15,000 full-time jobs in all areas of farm production and export. Roots of Peace is currently implementing the USAID-funded Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP) and the INL-funded Community Based Agriculture and Rural Development (CBARD) in Afghanistan.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP) is a three-year USAID-funded program that follows on the successes of the ten-year USAID Commercial Horticulture and Agricultural Marketing Program (CHAMP). The program works in 11 provinces of Afghanistan, focusing on increasing farm production and domestic sales through interventions aimed at farmers and agribusinesses. During the first two years of the program, AMP worked with leading Afghan processing and export firms to increase export volumes and values, introduce new agricultural products to the market, diversify export markets and increase value-added processing. The program's market-based, demand-driven approach focused on supporting private sector growth and sustainability, thereby creating demand for agricultural products that drive job growth in rural areas. 

In its final year of implementation, following the Taliban takeover, AMP pivoted to an approach addressing food security challenges precipitated by the challenging economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Objectives included increasing farm productivity and food security, facilitating domestic market linkages, adding value to, or prolonging the shelf life of agricultural products, and agribusiness strengthening and capacity building.

AMP works primarily with private sector agribusinesses, farmers, and other USAID-funded agricultural programs. Specific attention is given to support the participation of women and youth in AMP activities.

Roots of Peace anticipates the award of a two-year extension to the program, complementing other USAID-funded agricultural programs, and focusing particularly on orchard/vineyard establishment/improvement, vegetable/legume intercropping, product quality improvement, irrigation, cold chain development, food processing, and business strengthening.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Assume overall responsibility for Roots of Peace AMP Program.

Program Management

  • Provide overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of the program with a strong focus on achieving defined goals and targets.
  • Ensure compliance with the Cooperative Agreement, USG/USAID rules and regulations, ROP policies, host country legislation and Taliban regulations.
  • Serve as the primary liaison, and maintain positive relationships, with USAID, other implementing partners and the Taliban.
  • Ensure timely submission of contractually required documentation to USAID, including requests for contract amendments.
  • Ensure timely submission of reports to Ministries (including Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock) and the Taliban.

Program Administration

  • Manage annual work development, including devising objectives, indicators, and targets.
  • Manage other contractually required documentation including Environment Mitigation & Monitoring Plan, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Plan, and international travel approvals.
  • Oversee project administration, operations (security, procurement, HR, logistics), technical implementation, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning, to ensure activities align with and are implemented in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement, project objectives, targets, and the approved budget.
  • Ensure activities are undertaken to a high standard in compliance with the Cooperative Agreement and to the satisfaction of USAID and project beneficiaries.
  • Regularly track progress toward targets, identify issues and risks related to activity implementation in a timely manner, and ensure the program responds promptly to changing conditions and operating environments.
  • Directly manage the following personnel:
    • DCOP Operations
    • DCOP Technical
    • National Extension Director
    • Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Specialist
    • Senior Human Relations Specialist (Home Office HR Director – Dotted Line)
    • Security Director
    • Finance Director (Dotted Line, Home Office CFO – Hard Line)

Budget & Financial Management

  • Prepare program budget and track expenditure according to the budget.
  • Prepare and submit budget modifications, as required.
  • Support ROP home office finance team in preparation of financial reports, including invoices/fund requests to USAID.
  • Troubleshoot any invoicing problems with ROP home office finance team.
  • Anticipate purchasing needs and oversee procurement to maintain compliance with donor regulations and ROP policies.

Human Resources

  • Work with ROP HR personnel (Home Office & In Country) to manage all personnel issues.
  • Oversee all hiring, firing, position changes and salary changes. Any changes for Local Professional Staff and expatriates must be approved by the Executive Director.

Communications & Reporting

  • Ensure high quality weekly, quarterly and annual reporting is delivered on time to USAID in accordance with contractual requirements.
  • Manage all communications with ROP/USAID and ensure regular updates are provided on technical and administrative activities, implementation challenges, outcomes, and impacts.
  • Maintain close collaboration and regular communication with Roots of Peace home office team, including management, finance, and HR.
  • Respond to ROP/Donor and Taliban ad hoc information requests in a timely and professional manner.
  • Alert Roots of Peace Management of any problems or issues immediately.

Security

  • Coordinate with DCOP Operations (In Country) to monitor security in all program areas and make changes or improvements to ROP security plans, policies and procedures as required.

 

LOCATION

Throughout the assignment, the COP will reside in Kabul

 

DIRECT COORDINATION

The COP reports directly to the Executive Director but will work closely with all Home Office Staff. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The COP qualifications should include but not be limited to the following requirements:

  • Master’s degree in international development, agriculture, economics, business, or related field.
  • At least 10 years of professional experience working on, designing, and/or implementing projects related to agricultural development, market systems, and/or private sector development.
  • At least 5 years’ experience managing/leading donor-funded programs (as COP, DCOP, Program Director or Team Leader), with large teams.
  • At least 3 years’ experience managing/leading USAID funded projects (as COP, DCOP, Program Director or Team Leader). Extensive knowledge of USAID rules and regulations is required.
  • Has managed project budgets in excess of US$ 20 million, and with a track record of success in meeting objectives/targets.
  • At least 3 years’ experience working in conflict-affected or sensitive environments,
  • Multiple countries work experience is required, including Afghanistan experience.
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills, in a minimum of two areas relating to the following: project management, financial management, HR, procurement, logistics, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning, contractual and environmental compliance, and communications.
  • Fluency in English (written and oral).

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA

For those candidates who meet the criteria above, evaluation will be based on:

  • Experience managing international development programs
  • Experience in conflict-affected environments, preferably Afghanistan
  • Experience in agriculture sector
  • Education in field related to this program
  • Experience working on donor-funded programs, USAID experience is a must.

How to Apply Instructions:   Please submit a current updated CV to recruit@internationalink.net that clearly shows you meet all required qualifications requirements above, and add "Chief of Party - AMP, Afghanistan" in the Subject Line.   The client requests that you also include a list containing at least three work references/referees, with contact information (phone, email, address) for each.

Deadline for Applications: Open until filled

 

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