Country Program Manager

Job Description

Title: Country Program Manager

Company Name: Virginia Tech

Vacancy: 1

Job Location: Dhaka

Employment Status: Full-time

Educational Requirements:
∎ Master of Science (MSc) in Agriculture, Administration

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 7 year(s)
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following area(s): Agricultural Research, Extension, Value chain projects

Job Context:
∎ Project Background: In Bangladesh, land scarcity, agricultural intensification, and rapid population growth are major issues related to food security. Pests and diseases cause nearly 50 percent crop loss. The Pest Management Activity project, an associate award funded by the USAID mission in Bangladesh, will operate for three years from October 1, 2020. It will address managing current and emerging pest and disease threats of crops, human and institutional capacity building in Bangladesh, and developing and scaling up of IPM packages for rice, maize, wheat, mango, pineapple, vegetable and pulse crops. Collaboration in-country with CIMMYT, FAO, value chains, and local institutions and agencies is required.
∎ Job Summary: The Country Program Manager (CPM) will take guidance from and report to the Principal Investigator of the Pest Management Activity. S/he will manage the Pest Management Activity in Bangladesh and coordinate with the relevant international and national organizations/institutes/agencies in implementing Pest Management Activity. S/he will keep constant communication with the AOR of the Pest Management Activity project and the Principal Investigator. S/he will prepare and submit reports as specified in the Cooperative Agreement.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ Work with the Project Management team to develop a comprehensive workplan to meet the Pest Management Activity goals and objectives.
∎ Coordinate with CIMMYT, FAO, and relevant Bangladesh government institutions such as Department of Extension, academia, financial institutions, judiciary, media, private sector, and value chain actors.
∎ Coordinate and prepare monthly reports, quarterly reports, annual reports, success stories, and other reports as needed.
∎ Organize workshops/symposia/meetings/conferences/webinars related to the project.
∎ Communicate with the AOR and Principal Investigator regularly and respond to their requests promptly.
∎ Manage Pest Management Activity progress and ensure compliance with the workplan.
∎ Participate in project monitoring and evaluation activities.
∎ Monitor, identify, and initiate or stimulate producing scientific and/or popular publications collaboratively.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Master's Degree in a subject related to Agriculture and/or administration
∎ Significant international experience in agricultural sector
∎ At least 7 years relevant professional work experience
∎ Prior experience working in agricultural research or extension, value chain projects or other institutions.
∎ Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
∎ Experience with academic research programs
∎ Evidence of inclusive leadership
∎ Familiarity with project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle
∎ Ability to work effectively at all levels in an organization
∎ Problem solving and root cause identification skills; strong analytic and decision-making abilities
∎ Ability to take direction and to focus on and follow through on priority activities and assignments; ability to effectively handle multiple tasks without compromising the quality, team spirit, and constructive working relationships with all colleagues
∎ Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and flexible work style
∎ Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive information
∎ Computer Skills: Proficient in MS Office and internet applications
∎ Preferred Qualifications and Skills: PhD in a relevant field, preferably in Agriculture, Written and communication skills in Bengali

Salary: Negotiable

Application Deadline: 21 Sep 2020

Company Information:
∎ 26 Aug 2020
∎ Virginia Tech
∎ Address : 526 Prices Fork Rd Blacksburg, VA 24060 USA
∎ Web : vt.edu

Category: Agro (Plant/Animal/Fisheries)