The 5-year, USAID-funded Private Sector Strengthening Activity (PSSA) aims to increase economic opportunities for Tanzanian youth by strengthening the capacity of private sector associations/organizations to advocate for implementation of policies and provide support services that are beneficial and responsive to the needs of youth entrepreneurs, youth-led startups, and youth-led businesses, particularly those working within the agriculture sector and related value chains. Through this activity, USAID will support private sector associations to strategically develop, strengthen operations, and improve service provision for youth entrepreneurs, startups, and businesses, ultimately facilitating stronger market systems and more resilient, inclusive youth-led enterprises. The activity will also build the capacity of private sector associations to advocate for implementation of pro-business and pro-youth policies.

The Chief of Party (COP) will be responsible for providing overall management and direction to PSSA and will supervise all key personnel. They hold the primary responsibility for overall performance and compliance.

The COP and project team will be based in Dar es Salaam, and the position is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.

Responsibilities include:

• Responsible for the Activity’s overall performance and compliance. Responsible for meeting contractual obligations, producing deliverables and targets, meeting objectives, and achieving results as specified by USAID, in full compliance with Abt policies and procedures and USAID rules and regulations.
• Oversee and lead the activity team in program implementation, performance management, monitoring evaluation and learning (MEL), reporting, deliverable submissions, strategic communication, and partner/subcontractor coordination.
• Lead annual work plan development process and supervise the project’s technical assistance team to ensure a focus on core results, achievements of annual work plan and targets, and timely/effective implementation.
• Assume final authority for technical, management, resource, and personnel decisions.
• Lead integration of collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA), knowledge management, and advocacy strategies into the activity.
• Serve as key liaison with USAID, government counterparts, and local partners/stakeholders, and as principal representative of the activity.
• Monitor the progress and pace of implementation, ensuring that the full potential of the program is realized through the promotion of high quality work and internal control.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, agribusiness, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience managing and implementing private-sector oriented projects with a focus on agriculture/agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and/or youth development.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in building, managing, and supervising a team including substantial experience managing development programs of similar size.
• Demonstrated experience building effective relationships with and capacity of private sector associations or organizations (such as producer, processor, and/or trade associations, input providers, and business service providers).
• Demonstrated experience working on projects with a strong youth engagement and/or gender, equity, and social inclusion component (GESI).
• Sub-Saharan Africa/East African work experience required; Tanzania experience preferred.
• Prior experience managing a USG activity of similar size and complexity, preferably for USAID, required. Chief of party/project director experience preferred.
• Understanding of USAID’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach and/or using adaptive management techniques is a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Fluency in English required. Command of Kiswahili preferred.