Background
Heifer International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit international organization committed to end hunger and poverty around the world and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has worked with more than 39 million families around the world to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Working with rural communities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including the United States, Heifer International supports farmers and local food producers to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that provide a living income.
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
Activity Summary
Heifer International is a partnering with Land O’Lakes Venture37 to oversee the USAID/Haiti Programme d’Appui à la Rentabilisation de l’Elevage (PARE) which will begin in January 2023. The project aims to advance livestock production (cattle, poultry, goats, sheep, eggs, and dairy) market systems and to diversify incomes to increase the resilience of communities in two Resilience Focus Zones (RFZ) - one is in the southern region (South Department) and the other in parts of the north (North, Northeast and Plateau Central Departments). The project will address key opportunities and constraints to increase livestock productivity, facilitate private sector engagement, and manage environmental and natural resource considerations. The Livestock Activity will build upon lessons learned from past USAID and other donor funded activities and will coordinate closely with existing and planned USAID and other development partner programs and will align with the Government of Haiti’s priorities.
FUNCTION:
The Southern Resilience Focus Zone (RFZ) Lead will oversee all aspects of technical, financial management, HR, and administration of the project in the Southern Focus Zone. This includes overseeing the project grant pool and assuring full compliance with donor and Heifer International administrative, financial, and procurement procedures. He/she will work with staff, home office and donor to adjust staffing and resources as the project evolves.
The Southern RFZ Lead reports to Heifer’s Senior Program and Compliance Manager and will have a direct functional relationship with the DCOP. He/she will be located in Les Cayes, will manage the team in the South Department, and will travel frequently to Cap Haitian where the main project office is located.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:
Passionate about international development; curious about Heifer’s mission and how USAID programming can contribute to our 2030 goals; excellent communication skills; eagerness to mentor and coach team members, peers, and supervisees; problem solver; and flexible.
Primary Responsibilities:
A. Supervision of project activities (90%)
- Support the DCOP in managing day-to-day project activities, including Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and Project Reporting.
- Work closely with DCOP to develop and execute project workplans.
- Oversee effective implementation of the project’s finance, human resource, and office administration functions; ensure proper systems of control and coordination with field and HQ accounting staff.
- Oversee adherence to the operational and reporting requirements of the project grant pool targeted for the South Department and coordinate closely with the DCOP and the project technical team to ensure effective implementation of grant activities.
- Review and implement financial management and administrative procedures; recommend and guide implementation of procedures
- changes/improvements.
- Coordinate and contribute to the development of project reporting.
- Supervise program administrative, human resources and financial staff in the South Department. Manage and evaluate staff performance in alignment with Heifer’s performance cycle to ensure project impact.
- Liaise with local governmental ministries to ensure visibility and representation of Heifer and project activities.
- Provide leadership, management, and direction to field-level activities in the South Department.
- As needed, serve as a technical liaison with USAID, government representatives, the private sector, and other implementing partners to ensure visibility and representation of the Haiti Resilient Livestock Market Systems Activity
B. Other (10%)
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor based on organizational need and availability.
Minimum Requirements:
- An undergraduate degree (e.g. BA/BS) in animal production, agribusiness, international development, economics, business management, agricultural or rural development, veterinary sciences, or other relevant field.
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant senior management experience in managing agricultural development programs with a focus on resilience in Haiti. Experience working in Southern Haiti is a plus.
- Proven leadership skills building and managing cooperative, high-level relationships and motivating diverse teams with past experience, in remote management and in complex environments.
- Experience and/or technical knowledge in designing and managing development projects and activities, particularly related to agricultural development or with a livestock focus.
- Experience with implementing activities in resilience programs in direct support of project beneficiaries and rural communities.
- Proven capacity to collaborate across projects, be flexible, and creative and successfully lead an intercultural team in development and post-conflict contexts.
- Ability to communicate effectively, instilling trust and confidence.
- Excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills.
- Fluency or proficiency in oral and written French and Haitian Creole.
Preferred Requirements:
- An advanced degree (e.g. Master’s) in agribusiness, animal production, international development, economics, business management, agricultural or rural development or other relevant field.
- Fluency in oral and written English.
- Experience working in difficult and uncertain environments in developing countries.
- Experience in a relevant technical area such as market systems development and strengthening, climate smart agriculture, value chain development, gender, and youth issues. Previous experience working in Haiti a plus.
Most Critical Proficiencies:
- Knowledge and experience of USAID rules and regulations including FAR and AIDAR clauses and relevant other US government rules and regulations; knowledge of other international development agencies is a plus.
- Ability to work in uncertain environments and maintain agility.
- Fluent in French/Haitian Creole/English.
- Fluency in Spanish a plus.
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:
- Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities in a rapidly changing environment. Must be flexible and able to improvise to handle a variety of situations.
- Ability to effectively supervise, delegate, mentor, and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies. Strong facilitation skills preferred.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships remotely and work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders with limited opportunity for personal interaction.
- Strong interpersonal skills in a changing environment, with the ability to challenge the status quo courageously and tactfully, and effectively influence improvement.
- Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
- Constant sitting and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
- Constant face-to-face and digital communication with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Ability to accommodate flexible business hours across time zones.
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally and domestically as needed; adequate physical condition necessary for travel to project sites in remote areas.