Chemonics is looking for a party leader for the USAID-funded market finance acceleration program (MFA) in Burkina Faso. MFA is a five-year activity aimed at increasing private sector funding for micro target groups, including, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture and agro-industry, in particular those owned/operated by women and young entrepreneurs/youth-led enterprises, are underserved by the financial sector in Burkina Faso. The Market Finance Accelerator Program builds on the existing activity of USAID CATALYZE Finance for Resilience (F4R) – Sahel.
Based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the party leader will assume strategic direction and administrative responsibility for the requirements of the contract, ensuring the achievement of key performance indicators, including, objectives and deliverables. He/She will be the main channel of communication with USAID, fostering effective and transparent collaboration with team and consortium partners. By overseeing the implementation of the project, they will set the strategic direction and long-term vision, working with a high-level team of diverse thinkers and actors. We are looking for people with in-depth knowledge of the agriculture and agro-industry sector in Burkina Faso, as well as gender equality and youth development, as well as,associated with a deep commitment to have a significant impact on Burkina Faso-based MSMEs – especially those led by women and youth – and on the agro-marketindustry as a whole.
Main responsibilities :
- Provide a long-term strategic vision and assume the overall leadership, management, administrative and technical direction of the MFA program
- To serve as the primary point of contact for establishing, managing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders, including civil society, private sector partners and national and local government entities, on all issues related to the programme
- Oversee the operations of the project office in Burkina Faso in accordance with the policies and procedures established by Chemonics management, including human resources, security, procurement, grants, etc, finance and administration, and subcontracting
- Develop and implement annual budgets and workplans reflecting the needs and priorities of USAID and local stakeholders, including gender and social inclusion, management of conflict and adaptation, collaborative learning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting on the issue
- Foster close collaboration and teamwork among project staff, including mentoring and professional development opportunities, and, as well as working closely with partners to include a common strategy, work planning, implementation, learning and indicators shared between the different awards
- Serve as a key liaison with USAID and ensure compliance with all USAID rules and regulations, contractual requirements and Chemonics policies and systems
- Model ethical behavior and set clear expectations for all staff and third parties with whom the project collaborates based on Chemonics business conduct standards
Qualifications :
- Graduate degree in business administration, management, finance, marketing, accounting, economics or in a related field and significant regional/international work experience, such as experience with the private sector, international development for the management of commercial investment projects, entrepreneurship or investment banking
- At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of development, including at least 5 years in high-level positions and 5 years in countries of the Sahel, preferably in Burkina Faso
- Prior experience as a team leader (COP) or similar leadership role in USAID-funded agribusiness/finance-focused programs (or related fields)
- Proven experience in supporting the development of companies and/or investors, in particular of agri-food MSMEs led by women and/or young people
- Proven technical knowledge of gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and positive development of young people
- Hands-on experience in building relationships and coalitions with a range of program partners, including local, regional and national government entities, financial institutions, civil society, and, local communities and the private sector in the Sahel region and in Burkina Faso in particular
- Strong skills in leadership, interpersonal, technical and oral communication/written to meet various technical and project management requirements and ensure effective coordination with a wide range of stakeholders
- Experience in managing complex contracts and/or agreements, USAID operational procedures, regulations and reporting requirements
- Experience working in fluid conflict environments with the ability to pivot as the security situation evolves
- Demonstrated ethical leadership, versatility and integrity
- French proficiency required, English proficiency highly desired
How to apply
Instructions for the application :
To apply, please complete and submit your CV and cover letter via
“MFA-Recruitment@chemonics.com” before February 29, 2024. No phone requests, please. Finalists will be contacted.
Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, colour, religion, or race, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, etc, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
Chemonics attaches great importance to the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU recruitment data privacy notice to find out how we process personal data. You can access this notice by clicking on the following link : https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.