Senior Program Manager – Agriculture and Food Security
The Senior Program Manager – Agriculture and Food Security will lead a five-year, $1 million USAID-funded project aimed at improving food security and increasing incomes for smallholder farmers in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Project Context
The Kasai region has been affected by years of conflict and instability, resulting in widespread poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to markets and services for rural communities. Despite the challenges, the region has significant agricultural potential, with fertile soils and a favorable climate for a variety of crops.
The project, titled “Kasai Agricultural Resilience and Inclusive Markets (KARIM),” seeks to address these challenges by:
- Increasing productivity and diversification of smallholder farming systems through improved access to inputs, extension services, and climate-smart agriculture practices
- Strengthening agricultural value chains and market linkages, with a focus on high-value crops such as cassava, maize, and vegetables
- Promoting inclusive economic growth and job creation, particularly for women and youth, through agro-entrepreneurship and off-farm income generation activities
- Enhancing the resilience of rural communities to shocks and stresses, such as climate change and conflict, through community-based natural resource management and social cohesion initiatives
Key Stakeholders
The Senior Program Manager will engage with a range of stakeholders to ensure the success of the KARIM project, including:
- Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant government agencies at the national and provincial levels
- Local and international NGOs working on agriculture, livelihoods, and peacebuilding in the Kasai region
- Farmer cooperatives, agribusinesses, and financial service providers
- Research institutions and universities focused on agricultural innovation and climate change adaptation
- USAID and other donor agencies supporting agricultural development and stability in the DRC
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop and execute project plans, budgets, and timelines to achieve program objectives
- Manage a team of project staff and provide leadership, guidance, and capacity building
- Engage with government agencies, NGOs, farmer cooperatives, and private sector partners to foster collaboration and align project activities with local priorities
- Monitor and evaluate project progress, identify risks and challenges, and implement corrective actions as needed
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, internal policies, and local regulations
- Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal writing and building client relationships.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in agriculture, rural development, or a related field
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in agricultural development, with at least 3 years in a project management role
- Proven track record of successfully implementing complex projects in developing countries, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa
- Strong understanding of agricultural value chains, food security, and rural livelihoods
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership building skills
- Fluency in English and French, with strong written and verbal communication abilities
- Proficiency in MS Office and project management software
- Willingness to travel frequently within the DRC and occasionally to other countries in the region
To Apply :
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Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Donel Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, gender, age, or disability statuts.