Chief of Party, iDE Mozambique

Background: 

iDE (International Development Enterprises) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs to end poverty. Since its founding in 1982, iDE has improved millions of lives worldwide by developing sustainable, market-based solutions in agriculture, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). With a strong focus on inclusive market development, iDE aims to catalyze economic opportunities that lead to increased income and resilience for smallholder farmers and rural communities.

iDE Mozambique: Since 2010, iDE Mozambique has been active in six provinces, focusing its interventions on Market Systems Development, Agriculture, Food Security, Nutrition, WASH, and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Supported by donors including the Embassy of Sweden, SDC, USAID, and other multilateral and foundation partners, iDE is a leader in making markets work for the poor and pioneering market-based development in Mozambique. We believe that markets can be a powerful force for improving smallholder prosperity by creating income and livelihood opportunities for rural households.

About the position: iDE is seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) for the ongoing five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future Resilient Coastal Communities (RCC) project. This initiative aims to enhance resilience and promote healthy ecosystems in coastal regions from Mecufi, in Cabo Delgado, to Pebane, in Zambezia. Strategic objectives include:

1. Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion: Empowering women and youth as leaders and change agents to collaborate with government, civil society, and the private sector in sustainably managing natural resources and effectively responding to environmental shocks and stresses.
2. Conservation of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems: Protecting vital habitats to support climate resilience, sustainable fisheries management, food security, and conservation of biodiversity-rich areas.
3. Economic Growth and Diversification: Promoting equitable economic development to create significant employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly for youth and women, benefiting entire communities.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:  Provide visionary and technical direction to achieve the RCC project's overarching goals, particularly in the face of Mozambique’s unique environmental and social challenges. Lead the development of innovative strategies that adapt to shifting conditions, ensuring the project’s objectives remain relevant and impactful. This role requires navigating and responding to evolving project needs and priorities and ensuring the project's sustained alignment with USAID's strategic goals and local development needs.
• Stakeholder Engagement: In coordination with the iDE office in Maputo, serve as the point of contact and liaison for USAID at the project level, ensuring open, transparent communication and fostering a strong, collaborative relationship with the donor. Provide timely responses to donors’ requests, and regularly engage government officials and both international and local organizations to build productive partnerships and enhance the project's impact. Through these relationships, advocate for project objectives and secure support for sustainable, locally-driven solutions.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a high-performing team of project staff, fostering a collaborative, results-driven work environment. Oversee all phases of the project lifecycle from implementation to successful close-out, ensuring that project milestones are met and best practices in project management are followed. Empower team members to take ownership of their roles, encouraging continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Operational Oversight: Directly oversee the activities of all project staff, consultants, and subcontractors, ensuring coordinated efforts to achieve the project’s intended outcomes. Promote inclusive market systems that integrate gender equity and youth empowerment, and drive private sector linkages to reinforce sustainability. Ensure operational efficiency and policy compliance across the project, supporting capacity-building and maintaining high standards in all program areas.
• Financial and Compliance Management: Manage all financial aspects of the project, ensuring adherence to USAID’s policies and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes overseeing procurement, sub-awards, and managing accounting, IT, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), logistics, human resources, and security protocols. Implement strong financial controls and processes that ensure accountability and optimize resource allocation.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish and implement rigorous monitoring and evaluation systems to track project progress, assess outcomes, and identify areas for improvement. Use data-driven insights to facilitate ongoing collaboration, learning, and adaptation, ensuring the project continuously meets objectives and evolves based on local needs. This process is vital for promoting effective resource use and ensuring the long-term impact of project interventions.
• Reporting: Prepare and submit timely, accurate, and comprehensive reports on all program areas to USAID, adhering to donor expectations and deadlines. Document key project developments, successes, and challenges, ensuring that USAID, iDE Mozambique, and other stakeholders are well informed of project performance. Tailor reporting to reflect both quantitative results and qualitative insights, demonstrating the project's value and impact.

Qualifications:

• Education: Advanced degree/ Master’s Degree. in Environment, Conservation, Climate Change,  Agriculture, Engineering, Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant leadership / senior management experience  in managing, designing, implementing, and/or evaluating large, complex international agriculture, conservation, climate change, or private sector development projects. Previous COP or Deputy COP experience on USAID-funded projects is strongly preferred.
• Skills:
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading complex operations in international development or related fields, preferably within USAID-funded projects in challenging contexts. 
• A strong understanding of operational frameworks and the ability to navigate bureaucratic environments effectively.
• Strong ability to create and execute strategic plans, coordinate resources efficiently, and adapt to changing circumstances to ensure project success.
• Demonstrated history of adapting based on learning; proven collaboration with key stakeholders at national, local, and community levels; and the ability to cultivate a team culture that develops and rewards learning, collaboration, innovation, and change.
• Technical expertise in natural resource management, agricultural economics, agriculture, marine conservation, community development, business, international development, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated senior supervisory experience, with at least 2 years experience managing or implementing agriculture or natural resource management-focused projects in Africa.
• Familiarity with policy issues surrounding youth employment, coastal conservation, natural resources management, agricultural growth and poverty reduction, market systems development (MSD) approach, and private sector development.
• Innovative and practical thinking with the ability to translate ideas into actionable outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication across diverse constituencies and cultures.
• Ability to take initiative, mobilize teams, and build relationships with stakeholders to facilitate smooth operations and overcome obstacles.
• Proven success in building relationships with government representatives and key partners.
• Ability to work collaboratively and foster a cooperative environment.
• Proficiency in developing and managing financial management information systems.
• Language: Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Portuguese (or another Romance language).
• Additional Experience:
• Familiarity with Human-Centered Design and Design Thinking methodologies is preferred.
• Experience in Mozambique is strongly preferred; experience in Sub-Saharan Africa will also be considered relevant.

Benefits

iDE is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.