The Chief of Party (CoP) will lead a multi-year initiative funded under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Food for Progress (FFPr) Program. The project aims to strengthen input systems, expand agricultural finance, enhance trade connectivity, and facilitate commodity monetization in targeted regions of Benin.

The CoP will serve as the program\'s senior representative, guiding strategic implementation and ensuring compliance, coordination, and adaptive learning. S/he will oversee technical and operational teams, lead partner engagement with international and local organizations, and ensure high-impact, cost-effective interventions that meet the needs of producers, processors, and trade actors. The CoP will also collaborate closely with public and private institutions to foster sustainable agricultural systems and regional integration.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

·      Provide overall direction and vision for the project, ensuring alignment with USDA FFPr objectives and national priorities.

·      Lead strategic planning and guide the development of work plans, results frameworks, and performance targets.

·      Serve as primary point of contact for the donor, coordinating communication and reporting.

Program Oversight

·      Lead implementation across all technical domains, including agricultural productivity, finance, trade facilitation, and commodity monetization.

·      Supervise field interventions across agroecological zones and manage work plans tailored to regional contexts.

·      Direct the design and management of a country-level grant mechanism that supports producers and agribusinesses.

·      Coordinate and monitor the fieldwork of multiple implementing organizations, ensuring operational efficiency and accountability.

·      Supervise key personnel and ensure clear reporting lines, professional development, and team cohesion.

·      Foster cost-efficiency by rationalizing resource use and embedding sustainability principles in interventions.

Partnership and Coordination

·      Establish and maintain collaborative frameworks with ministries, producer organizations, financial institutions, and trade platforms.

·      Facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements, including annual design workshops, policy dialogues, and trade events.

·      Ensure alignment across national and regional activities through partner onboarding, resource sharing, and technical harmonization.

Compliance, Monitoring, and Learning

·      Oversee adherence to USDA/FAS compliance protocols, particularly in grants, procurement, and monetization.

·      Guide the development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems.

·      Ensure timely submission of high-quality reports, data sets, and impact assessments.

·      Lead adaptive management processes based on MEL insights and field feedback.

Qualifications

Education

·      Advanced degree in international development, agricultural economics, business, or related discipline.

Experience

·      At least 10 years of senior leadership in agriculture, trade, or donor-funded development programs.

·      Proven success managing complex field operations, grant mechanisms, and multi-partner coordination.

·      Experience with USDA, USAID, or comparable donor mechanisms strongly preferred.

Skills

·      Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and partnership-building abilities.

·      Fluency in English and professional proficiency in French.

·      Exceptional written and verbal communication, with strong diplomacy and team management skills.

·      Experience in West Africa preferred, especially in managing rural development and trade initiatives.

·      Ability to travel to field sites and across the region as needed.