Job Description

The Country Program Manager is the overall manager of the AINFP program in their country.

They will be responsible for coordination and leadership of the team, ensuring smooth implementation according to agreed objectives and workplans within the available budget.

They will be the main representative of the team to external stakeholders, particularly the USAID Mission, government and industry stakeholders, though representation may be delegated according to area of specific technical knowledge.

They will also be responsible for internal stakeholder management including the Country Director, HR, Finance, and Purchasing functions.

The role is also the technical lead overseeing the provision of strategic advisory services to food processors at country level.

S/he will oversee all engagements with selected small and growing food processors, with primary focus on clients requiring more advanced, customized support.

S/he will collaborate with other team members in-country and across the project, to ensure coordinated and impactful implementation.

Reports to Chief of Party, with dotted line to Country Director.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Country Program Manager

• Program Management and Coordination
• Budgeting & Financial Management
• Stakeholder Management and Representation
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
• Staff Management

Senior Food Processing Specialist

• Processor Selection and Assessment
• Processor Relationship Management
• Provision of Technical Assistance and support to Sector Wide Trainings

Basic Qualifications:

These are the requirements that any qualified candidate must meet. Typically includes

• Degree in food science, food nutrition or a related degree, preferably at Master’s level.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the food industry or as a consultant to the industry
• Good knowledge and understanding of the challenges of food processing in Africa, both technical and business

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional qualifications that would make a candidate more desirable.

• Work experience in Southern Africa, preferably Malawi
• Experience of managing a donor-funded program, ideally USAID
• Experience in designing and delivering trainings
• Experience managing local consultants/BDS providers

Required Languages

• Fluency to speak, read and write in English essential
• Chichewa would be an added advantage

Travel

• Willingness and ability to travel within Malawi and occasionally in the region

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to offer business advisory and analysis; problem solving and decision making
• Good verbal communication and presentation skills with different audiences
• Strong team working and collaboration; staff management/coaching
• Report writing; monitoring and data management
• Donor & partnership management
• Strategic thinker