Project Director

IESC - Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (formerly International Executive Service Corps); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC, is seeking a Project Director for a USDA/FAS funded Food for Progress project. The role entails oversight of project management and technical activities, requiring substantial experience in international development and agricultural productivity. The successful candidate will provide leadership, liaison with stakeholders, and ensure quality project delivery. Ideal applicants will have a graduate degree and significant professional experience in trade and agriculture-related sectors.

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of experience in international development with a focus on agricultural productivity.
• Experience with project design and delivery of cost-efficient technical solutions.
• Prior work experience in collaboration with private sector companies, especially in agriculture.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities.
• Serve as the primary liaison to USDA/FAS and other stakeholders.
• Supervise local technical specialists and administrative team.

Skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Education

Graduate degree in trade-focused public policy, international agriculture or commerce

Job description

IESC is a leading U.S-based nonprofit that creates and expands economic opportunities, helping to lift those we support out of poverty. We believe that helping enterprises grow is the most sustainable way for communities to have access to jobs and for families and people to have opportunities for a better quality of life. We have helped businesses in a variety of sectors, create or save more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries across the world. Our major funder today is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

IESC is seeking a Project Director (equivalent Chief of Party) for a USDA/FAS funded Food for Progress project. The Project Director will oversee all project management, technical, and administrative activities. The project director role requires demonstrable experience with project design and delivery of cost-efficient technical solutions that demonstrate return on investment in agriculture. This role also requires astute diplomatic skills to facilitate collaboration and connectivity among stakeholders, including ensuring buy-in and partnership with the host government ministries and agencies assigned to the project.

The Project Director reports to the IESC Associate Vice President and Practice Lead in Washington, DC. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, the Project Director serves as the primary interlocutor between IESC headquarters, local partners, and host organizations.

Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide overall leadership, management, and technical oversight for all project activities and deliverables;
• Serve as the primary liaison to USDA/FAS, host government counterparts, international and national stakeholders, implementing partners, and private sector stakeholders;
• Act as spokesperson for the project and present its work regionally and globally;
• Supervise and oversee all technical, operational, and financial aspects of the project;
• Oversee establishment and management of a project steering committee, facilitated by the project in close collaboration with USDA and composed of key stakeholders;
• Oversee activities to ensure overall technical quality control and an integrated vision across all components of the project;
• Supervise local technical specialists, managerial, and administrative team to successfully define, own, and achieve results;
• Develop and oversee work planning, performance management, and strategic communications;
• Ensure high-quality monitoring and evaluation of project impact and timely submission of donor reports and deliverables; and,
• Travel regularly to the project delivery sites to observe and guide technical assistance quality delivery.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in trade-focused public policy, international agriculture or commerce, or related field. Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of experience acceptable;
• Minimum eight years of relevant professional experience in international development, with a focus on agricultural productivity, trade facilitation, agricultural market strengthening, and economic growth;
• Experience in leading USTR, USDA, or other bilateral-funded projects budgeted at $10 million or more over a five-year period;
• Experience with project design and delivery of cost-efficient technical solutions that demonstrate return on investment, market information, and access to finance that benefit the agricultural sector;
• Project management/multiple offices of a project of $15 million or greater.
• Prior work experience or collaboration with private sector companies and businesses, and experience in the agriculture sector is required;
• Demonstrated leadership and integrity, proven organizational skills; and,
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and experience in managing and leading large and diverse teams to fulfill the project’s diverse technical and managerial requirements and to coordinate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.