Job Summary
As Chief of Party, you will lead and oversee the USDA Food for Peace (Title II) emergency food assistance program in Kenya, ensuring support for food-insecure and vulnerable populations, including those in arid and semi-arid lands (Nasals). Your leadership, management, and technical expertise—particularly in commodity management and large-scale U.S. government-funded initiatives—will drive the implementation of high-quality programming while strengthening CRS’s reputation as a premier agency in emergency food assistance. In this senior role, you will also take a proactive approach to security management, identifying and mitigating risks to safeguard operations and personnel.
Oversee key functions and execute primary duties, which include leading strategic initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and driving operational excellence. Develop and implement policies to enhance productivity while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Collaborate with senior leadership to align business objectives with company goals, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. Monitor performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as needed. Serve as a liaison between departments to streamline communication and facilitate seamless workflows. Ensure adherence to budgetary constraints while optimizing resource allocation to maximize efficiency and profitability.
Oversee the entire process of designing, executing, and integrating the Food for Peace program in Kenya, guaranteeing strict adherence to emergency food security goals and USDA compliance standards.
Act as the main liaison with the USDA/FAS, U.S. Embassy, and domestic stakeholders such as the National Drought Management Authority (CDMA), relevant line ministries, and humanitarian coordination platforms.
Collaborate effectively with public, private, and non-governmental entities to enhance overall impact and eliminate redundant efforts.
Ensure the project’s design and execution align with donor expectations regarding timely, high-quality deliverables and budgetary constraints, incorporating strategies for phased transition and long-term sustainability. Additionally, prioritize beneficiary targeting, food distribution logistics, and measurable nutrition outcomes. Supervise the implementation of tailored interventions—such as general food distribution, targeted nutrition assistance, and recovery initiatives—to address evolving emergency requirements.
Deliver strategic and technical direction for all commodity management systems, encompassing procurement planning, call forwards, port clearance (Mombasa), inland transport, storage, and distribution.
Collaborate closely with program and operations leads to maintain alignment. Uphold CRS program quality standards in accordance with MEAL policies and procedures.
Experienced professionals in programming and operations must be effectively led and managed. This involves fostering positive team dynamics and prioritizing staff well-being. Additionally, offering guidance, mentorship, and tailored development plans for each team member is essential, along with conducting thorough performance evaluations for direct reports. Overseeing staffing strategies and the hiring process for senior positions is also a key responsibility.
Conduct ongoing analysis of national and regional developments to identify potential risks, implementing strategies to mitigate their impact on staff and programming. Facilitate comprehensive training to ensure full comprehension and strict adherence to CRS safety and security policies, while also overseeing the regular review and revision of these protocols to maintain their relevance and effectiveness.
Promote, maintain, and exemplify a dedication to the prudent utilization of agency and donor funds. Oversee adherence to USDA/FAS grant requirements—including 2 CFR 200—through meticulous financial tracking and supervision of partner budgets, fiscal management, administrative procedures, and USDA reporting obligations. Authorize program expenditures, budget revisions, and donor-requested cost adjustments.
Develop and implement communication strategies and materials that align with USDA branding and marking guidelines, while ensuring all program materials and beneficiary communications properly acknowledge U.S. Government support.
Coordinate relationships with consortium partner organizations by facilitating review and planning workshops. Support the coordination of roles and activities among staff from other consortium member organizations to ensure alignment with CRS partnership principles during implementation.
Create and sustain conducive learning environments by fostering a secure space for open dialogue, problem-solving, and addressing challenges, while also possessing the ability to promptly identify, assess, and address deficiencies. Evaluate performance gaps and training needs among CRS and partner staff, then design and deliver comprehensive, high-quality training and technical assistance programs.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in international development, international relations, or a related technical discipline is required, with a master’s degree considered advantageous.
Requires 5 to 8 years of progressive management and technical expertise, with a track record that includes senior leadership positions on initiatives funded by the USDA or other U.S. government agencies.
Proven track record in overseeing extensive commodity-focused initiatives, such as Food for Peace or the USDA McGovern-Dole program, is required.
Requires demonstrated proficiency in commodity management systems, logistics, and supply chain operations.
Accomplished in overseeing intricate financial frameworks, ensuring strict adherence to donor requirements, and maintaining robust fiscal governance.
With a minimum of two years in staff management, you bring a proven track record of fostering environments that prioritize growth and development. Your expertise includes guiding and mentoring senior program staff, ensuring both leadership and team success.
Highly desirable would be individuals with prior experience in project management, proficiency in relevant software applications, and a strong background in data analysis. Ideal candidates will possess excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively across teams, along with the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, familiarity with industry-specific regulations or standards, as well as a track record of delivering measurable results, would be advantageous. Experience in budget oversight, risk assessment, or process improvement methodologies may also be considered a plus.
Esteemed authority within the industry, evidenced by contributions to scholarly journals, participation in academic and professional conferences, and other forms of peer-reviewed dissemination.
Professional candidates should have prior work experience in Kenya or comparable environments, specifically in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (BASAL) regions or during emergency response operations.
Possesses a proven track record of successfully overseeing collaborative initiatives involving multiple partners and enhancing the effectiveness of strategic alliances.
Individuals with experience navigating Kenya’s government frameworks, including the National Disaster Management Authority (CDMA) and county-level administrative systems, will find this role advantageous.
Demonstrated excellence in leadership within the realms of food security or humanitarian response.
Proven ability to engage partners and cultivate strong, collaborative relationships. Familiarity with CRS partnership strategy is advantageous.
Proven track record in effectively managing diverse programs, particularly those involving intricate logistics, high-value initiatives, and multifaceted project components.
Proven experience in managing commodity procurement and overseeing the logistics of food assistance programs is required.
Proficient in USG compliance frameworks and donor regulations, ensuring adherence to established guidelines and requirements.
Capable of delivering high-level representation and presentations with professionalism and confidence.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Vision, along with expertise in web conferencing applications and systems for information and budget management, is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Accomplished strategic thinker with exceptional analytical and systems-oriented problem-solving abilities, capable of discerning overarching patterns while exercising prudent judgment to drive effective decision-making.
Strong interpersonal skills are essential, enabling effective engagement with individuals across all organizational levels, both internally and externally. A strategic mindset is employed when cultivating and maintaining each connection.
A strong aptitude for leading and managing cross-functional teams is essential, along with the capacity to foster collaboration and cohesion. Demonstrated proficiency in coaching and mentoring team members to enhance performance and professional growth is also required.
Proven ability to craft and deliver compelling, audience-specific communications with clarity and impact, demonstrating exceptional presentation and persuasive messaging skills.
A proactive, resourceful, solutions-focused, and results-driven professional who excels in identifying opportunities and overcoming challenges to achieve measurable outcomes.
Required Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential for this role.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% of the time to field locations, including remote BASAL counties.
Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
Demonstrates accountability by owning personal actions and decisions consistently.
Demonstrates unwavering integrity by consistently upholding the values outlined in the CRS Guiding Principles and mission, while embodying honesty in all professional interactions.
Demonstrates reliability by aligning actions with stated commitments, fostering consistent trustworthiness in all professional interactions.
Collaborates effectively with colleagues across various cultures and backgrounds.
Seeks opportunities for continuous learning through varied experiences that broaden perspectives and foster personal and professional growth.
The required competencies for leadership within the agency encompass strategic vision, operational excellence, team development, and stakeholder engagement. Leaders must demonstrate strong decision-making abilities, ethical conduct, and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and high-performing organizational culture. Additionally, they are expected to drive innovation, manage change effectively, and maintain alignment with the agency’s mission and goals. Proficiency in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability is essential, as is the capacity to inspire and mentor teams while ensuring accountability and measurable results.
Drive meaningful transformation by proactively identifying and implementing enhancements that foster an environment built on agility, transparency, and forward-thinking innovation within the agency.
Builds and nurtures the capabilities of employees to unlock their full potential, fostering both individual growth and organizational excellence.
Possesses a strategic mindset, effectively interpreting, conveying, and executing agency strategy and team priorities within the defined role.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
5 - 8 years
