Deputy Chief of Party & Innovative Grant Specialist – USAID Transforming Financial Markets

Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) andInnovative Grant Specialist - USAID Transforming Financial Markets for Ag SMEs in Africa

About Palladium:

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3, employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35, experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

This Proposal Opportunity:

Palladium isseeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for an anticipated USAID-funded programacross Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia which is anticipated tobegin in . The USAID Transforming Financial Markets for Agriculture SMEs islikely to be a 5-year program focused on mobilizing private capital for agriculturalsmall-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) strengthen agriculture value chains. Theactivity will leverage results-based tools used in USAID’s finance andinvestment mechanisms – supporting a range of agricultural firms to expandinvestments and operations via a blended finance approach.

The Deputy Chief ofParty (DCOP) will lead the technical team to implement the COP’s strategicleadership and vision of the activity. They will have depth and breadth oftechnical expertise and experience, a solid professional reputation,interpersonal skills, and professional relationships to fulfil the requirementsof the activity description, and close working relationships with key stakeholdersacross East Africa. The DCOP must have experience managing large, complexactivities and demonstrated experience working with and through the privatesector.

Duration: 5years (anticipated start in )
Location: Kenya

Primary Role and Responsibilities:   

Serve as a member of the senior leadership team of the program, including day-to-day management of technical activities and coordination of partners.
Oversee programmatic functions to support the COP’s strategic vision for the program, , ., development of work plans, budgets, quarterly/annual reports, and ensure effective implementation of program strategy with integrated lessons and best practices
Serve as a bridge between the technical and operational teams to develop innovative and compliant approaches for structuring agreements with subawardees to reach the objectives of this project.
Maintain effective and open communications with consortium members, coordinating inputs and aligning sub awardees’ activities with the needs of the project.
Maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners, ensuring they are on track to achieve outcomes and utilizing adaptive management to correct issues.
Maintain effective and open communication within the technical team.
Serve as Acting Chief of Party when s/he is unavailable
Identify program opportunities and potential local partners in collaboration with staff as needed.
Ensure the technical team supports strategic learning and communications in data collection, generation of lessons earned, and implementation of pause and reflect and other CLA activities.
Participate in and/or prepare project reports, including presentations and white papers.
Use analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, consider and resolve issues or problems.

Key Competencies Required:

At least 10 years’ experience managing large and complex activities, preferably in the Eastern African region and preferably experience with agricultural finance, and private capital mobilization
Advanced degree in business administration, project management, public policy and management, or finance related fields
Must demonstrate commitment to market-led, private sector engagement approaches
Excellent managerial experience, preferably in managing large donor projects involving coordination with multiple implementing partners or institutions in the region, and sub-recipient / complex partnering relationships.
Experience with activity design as well as development and management of projects, preferably including both community-level and national-level activities. 
Experience with a donor, contractor or international NGOs in agriculture and finance and investment.
Minimum 5 years’ experience in developing activity work-plans, budgets, managing implementation, staff, and short-term technical assistance.
Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred
Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred
Excellent communications, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Professional level of oral and written fluency in English

E quity, Diversity & Inclusion  - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.