DCOP/Chief Operating Officer (FARMS/India project)
 Abt Associates
 Location: Lucknow
 Last Date: November 6, 2010
 Email: FarmdIndiaJobs@abtassoc.com (Reference: DevNetJobsIndia.org)

INDIA FARMS-DCOP/Chief Operating Officer

The International Economic Growth Division is committed to the improvement of economic growth and private sector development around the world. Our projects provide technical assistance in the area of agriculture and food security, environment and climate change, as well as private sector and workforce development. Through our work we provide support to economic development in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) is a pending position for the Food, Agriculture, and Rural Markets Systems (FARMS) Project in India. This is a $50+ million project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The DCOP will report to and assist the Chief of Party to lead a project designed to leverage India’s expertise resources and leadership to advance Feed the Future (FTF) in South Asia and other FTF-focused countries. FARMS/India is a technology and knowledge transfer project, and is focused on testing best agricultural and nutritional practices in other states or regions of India to determine potential for mass application within India or other countries. Activities within the project will include research, agriculture policy, grant-making, training, and information dissemination. The operational demands for implementation of project will also be very high.

The project will primarily focus on six states in northern India. The main project office will be based in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. This is where the DCOP position will be located. There will also be field offices in Rajahstan, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Uttarakhand.

This position will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of FARMS/India to ensure that the project is fulfilling the technical and fiduciary requirements of it contract with USAID and that all components of the project are working together to achieve project goals. Main responsibilities of the position will include: assisting the COP and the technical staff in the design of project activities; leading the planning, and overseeing the implementation of project activities; liaising with client/USAID and with other stakeholders in Delhi and in the states where the project will be operational; ensuring project reporting and compliance with USAID regulations; managing the recruiting and staffing, training and mentoring, logistics, procurement, financial management, and security aspects of the project; overseeing the project administration. The DCOP will serve as Acting Chief of Party when the Chief of Party is not in country.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in business administration, economics, international development, etc.
• Minimum 15 years experience in managing complex private sector and/or agricultural development programs, preferably in India.
• Strong interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively engage a wide range and levels of organizations (producers, government, private sector, NGOs, research institutions).
• Excellent understanding of and experience with USAID and USG regulations, administration, management, reporting procedures, and systems.
• Good knowledge of Grants under Contract requirements.

Please Send Current CV to FarmdIndiaJobs@abtassoc.com , English Language CV’s only. (Subject line: Deputy Chief of Party)