Deputy Chief of Party, Guatemala

Deputy Chief of Party, Guatemala

Project : Agricultural Trade and Climate Smart Innovations (ATraCSI)

Location : Guatemala City, Guatemala

Start date : on / around August 1,

Expected Duration : 3 years

Background

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities across the economically developing world. Since our founding in , we have delivered lasting solutions across countries.

IESC is a valued partner to people and communities throughout the economically developing world. We share proven business skills and experience with entrepreneurs, jobseekers, businesses, farmers, cooperatives, and governments. We also offer resources—human, technological, financial—that sustainably build capacity and empower communities. Our long legacy of strengthening developing economies is matched by our vision for the next generation : a world with economic opportunity for all, where people and communities thrive.

Our major funders today are the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

IESC is recruiting for a deputy chief of party to support project implementation for the USDA-Food for Progress funded Agricultural Trade and Climate Smart Innovations (ATraCSI) project. The project is located in the Northern Triangle Region of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras).ATraCSI will focus on implementing international and risk-based Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations (SPS) measures, implement measures under the existing World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreements (TFA), and assist in strengthening Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) through development and transfer of agriculture technologies that focus on effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly use of agricultural resources, which focus on high-value horticulture value chains, including avocado, berries, mango and vegetables (peas, green beans)

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), Guatemala isresponsible for managerial tasks and leading the technical team in the country; coordinating with project implementing partners (local and international); acting as a nexus with stakeholders (public and private sector) as directed by the chief of party, to ensure the proper implementation of the project. This is a full-time position based at the IESC’s Guatemala Office with expected regular travel around Guatemala and potential travel to Honduras and El Salvador. The person in this position reports to the chief of party.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In coordination with the chief of party, lead development of annual work plans and budgets in close collaboration with the country technical team, partners and relevant private and public sector counterparts;
• Directs and supervises several project technical staff members located in Guatemala, including an Information and Communication Technology Business Specialist, an Organizational Capacity Specialist, a Climate Smart Agronomist, and a Trainings and Events Assistant;
• Coordinates joint activities in Guatemalawith project implementing partners : AgExport (Guatemalan Exporters Associations), CIPE (Center for International Private Enterprise's), Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), Purdue University and others;
• Ensures effective field coordination; provide guidance and coordinate support to the Guatemala office project team, including identifying and promoting clear communications on issues of programmatic tasks, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and documentation.
• Work with The MEL Director and staff, to review and analyze the performance of the project indicators and suggest corrective actions as needed; as well, to compile and submit necessary reports
• Work with the Finance and Administration Director, to ensure all country project activities implementation adhere to IESC and donor’s rules and regulations, and closely coordinate any procurement or budget-related management activities.
• Designs and implements project activities for the scope of project objectives, as described in the work plan and other project documents;
• In coordination with the chief of party, directs technical actions to achieve the results of the project;
• Nurtures and maintains collaborative relationship with beneficiaries, stakeholders, and partners to facilitate information gathering and sharing;
• In coordination with the chief of party, maintains good working relationships with mid-level teams in the Guatemalan government institutions such as the National Trade Facilitation Committee (NTFC), the National Sanitary Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) Committee, the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), the Ministry of Economy (MINECO), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA), the Vice Ministry of Agricultural Health and Regulations (VISAR), the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), among others;
• As directed by the chief of party, coordinates and collaborates with other programs implemented in Guatemala funded by international entities;
• Supports the chief of party to ensure a high-level of responsiveness to the donor (USDA) related to regular and ad-hoc data reporting;
• Implements a project management quality assurance process to ensure project adherence to policies and practices in accordance with project manuals;
• Maintains the highest level of business ethics;
• Lead team members efforts to analyze data and provide relevant insights to drafting of quality reports to be forwarded to stakeholders, IESC Home Office, USDA, and others;
• Acts as Acting chief of party when appointed; and
• Complete other tasks assigned by the chief of party.

QUALIFICATIONS