Chief of Party, USDA McGovern-Dole

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities:

JOB PURPOSE

About World Vision

World Vision is one of the largest international non-governmental organizations in the world and currently implements multi-sectoral food security programs in countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. World Vision is seeking to hire a Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated five-year United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (McGovern-Dole) in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America or Asia.

Job Summary

This activity is a 5-year program worth approximately USD $25 to $32 million. The project is expected to start in October 2026 and this position is contingent upon funding and donor approval. The COP will lead overall vision, technical expertise and administrative leadership for the program and services as the project’s representative for USDA, the government of the country of implementation and other key stakeholders. To accomplish this, the COP will lead a team of technical experts and support staff ensuring adherence to USDA regulations and World Vision policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

25% Oversee the technical aspects of the project, including planning, implementation, project results, and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan. Ensure clarity regarding plans and priorities, and foster effective collaboration across the project team, which comprises staff from partner organizations.

End Results

Timely, efficient program implementation

35% Build and maintain productive working relationships with USDA, project partners, and key stakeholders while ensuring compliance with USDA requirements, U.S. government regulations, and World Vision’s policies and procedures. Serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders.

End Results

Effective working relationships with engaged stakeholders

20% Manage the project’s operational, financial, and administrative priorities; direct the planning and budgeting processes; design and oversee an annual project. Facilitate the preparation of project deliverables, including annual work-plans, quarterly and annual reports, final project report, project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials in accordance with USDA deadlines and guidelines.

End Results

Budget within spending limits and at projected spending levels. Program activities compliant with donor requirements. Accurate, comprehensive reports submitted to donor.

15% Supervise a team of technical staff and ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and lines of communication are maintained among the team members. Provide guidance and mentoring to managers and staff to achieve project goals and develop national leadership capacity. Create and maintain proper conditions for learning. Establish a safe environment for sharing ideas, solutions, and difficulties and the capacity to detect, analyze and respond quickly to deficiencies.

End Results

Empowered, engaged staff

5% Represent the project at high-level meetings, conferences, and other fora. Champion how the project supports USDA’s Learning Agenda and contributes to thought leadership of the education sector.

End Results

World Vision is known to the donor and other stakeholders as a major actor in McGovern-Dole

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND EXPERIENCE

Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification

• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience managing and implementing large and complex international donor-funded programs
• Experience as a COP, Deputy COP, or Senior Project Manager
• Experience in school feeding, nutrition, and literacy programming
• Experience in leading and managing large grants in a complex/ fragile environment
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams
• High level of interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaborate with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders
• Familiarity with and commitment to addressing gender equality in programming, Do No Harm Principles and adaptive management and learning

Required Professional Experience

• Advanced degree in education, agriculture, nutrition, public health, business administration, development studies, international relations, or related field or equivalent qualifications in grant management and work history in developing countries
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development project management (USAID program management required)
• COP, Deputy COP, or Senior Project Manager experience

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in oral and written English is required
• Fluency in French, Spanish or Portuguese is advantageous

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations

Ability to travel within the country of implementation.

Position’s physical requirements

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods and use standard office equipment like computers and phones.
• Strong speaking and hearing ability for high-level meetings and liaison with government officials and stakeholders.

Note: The project is expected to start in October 2026 and this position and location are contingent upon funding and donor approval.

Open to locations where WV is registered to operate

Application deadline: 30th April 2026

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted