3 Positions at Abt Associates Inc: (Deadline 24 June 2020)

3 Positions at Abt Associates Inc: (Deadline 24 June 2020)

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director at Abt Associates Inc: (Deadline 24 June 2020)

Job Description

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director

USAID Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity

Abt Associates, a global leader in implementing technical assistance programs and research in the fields of economic growth, agriculture, social and environmental policy, and climate change, seeks highly qualified candidates for the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Rwanda Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity which aims to increase agricultural exports through 1) facilitation of inclusive policy reforms using evidence-based analyses and strengthened advocacy capacity of private sector organizations; and 2) support local actors (government and private sector) to attract, mobilize and direct public and private financing resources towards productive priority projects.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director will be responsible for providing overall monitoring, evaluation, and learning management and direction to the FIRST Activity.

The MEL Director and project team will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, and the position is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.

 Responsibilities include:

• Manage life-of-project MEL Plan to meet the demands of regularly scheduled and ad-hoc information and reports required by USAID, including overseeing all routine monitoring data collection, survey design and implementation, and special assessments as required.
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of the project MEL Plan, indicators, and learning agenda, including developing relevant indicators;

• Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement among all project staff and partners, including grantees.
• Serve as USAID’s project point of contact for external Data Quality Assessments and mid-term, final, and/or impact evaluations.
• Chair portion of the weekly project conference call to review progress. At quarterly meetings, a leadership team in reflecting on progress, present findings on learning questions, and facilitate evidence-driven decision-making when course corrections are needed.
• Ensure monitoring data is collected and presented in a timely manner for quarterly and annual report preparation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience (required) or Master’s degree and eight years’ experience (preferred) in statistics or a related field.
• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities, preferably on USAID-funded projects.
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a minimum of direction and supervision, as a member of a team, and as a team leader, with the ability to accept the inputs of other team members.
• East/Sub-Saharan Africa work experience required, Rwanda experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, organizational, and computer skills.
• Fluency in English required.

 How to apply:

Interested candidates may send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Please include the position title and “Rwanda FIRST” in the subject line of the email.  The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 24 June 2020.  Rwandan nationals are encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.

Finance and Administration Director at Abt Associates Inc: (Deadline 24 June 2020)

Job Description

Finance and Administration Director

USAID Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity

Abt Associates, a global leader in implementing technical assistance programs and research in the fields of economic growth, agriculture, social and environmental policy, and climate change, seeks highly qualified candidates for the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Rwanda Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity which aims to increase agricultural exports through 1) facilitation of inclusive policy reforms using evidence-based analyses and strengthened advocacy capacity of private sector organizations; and 2) support local actors (government and private sector) to attract, mobilize and direct public and private financing resources towards productive priority projects.

The Finance and Administration (F&A) Director is responsible for the efficient and effective management of all aspects of project operations and provides operational, administrative, and logistical leadership for Abt corporate functions including human resources, finance, and contracts. The F&A Director will report to the Chief of Party and supervise accountant, project finance, a grants manager and support staff.

The F&A Director and project team will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, and the position is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide primary oversight and in-country leadership for all administrative, operational, and financial activities, including contract administration, project finance including projections and reconciliations, human resources, procurement, subcontracting, grant management, legal, security, space management, inventory, information technology, and office equipment and supplies.
• Establish and implement the project’s financial, administrative, and reporting/tracking systems and support functions required for sound management of project financial and material resources, in adherence to both US government and Abt Associates policies.
• Oversee financial reporting and analysis; Oversee/prepare budgets and revenue plans for project plans/programming and corporate reporting; and oversee/prepare budgets and financial reports for project deliverables as required over the course of project implementation.
• Ensure the financial and administrative integrity of all business transactions. Establish systems to ensure compliance and enforcement.
• Develop and institute procedures for logistical support of all project activities (local and international travel, procurement, management of office premises; support for local and international STTA).
• Lead the development and coordination of (operational, finance) training to field personnel (e.g. timesheets, start-up training for ROV procedures, etc.) and guide project staff in operations and finance-related areas.
• Oversee project finance and operations officers’ incorrect use of the financial system and accurate and timely preparation of monthly financial reports and cash projections.
• Serve as the project’s human resources manager, responsible for leading the recruitment, development, promotion, and separation of staff, in consultation with the Project Manager.
• Conduct risk analyses, initiate improvements, review non-pricing risk factors such as conflict of interest, and develop solutions.
• Oversee the issuance of RFQs for local procurements, receive and analyze bids, and assist in negotiating final agreements with the vendors selected in accordance with input from a home office.
• Issue purchase orders or subcontract/grant agreements, depending on the nature of the procurement.
• Ensure the proper inventory control and recording of procurements. Including leading teams to conduct semi-annual physical inventory review, recording any losses or damaged furnishings or equipment, and keeping track of documentation for annual property and/or other reports to USAID.
• Ensure adherence to local laws and policies such as those related to procurement, labor, and taxes.
• Oversee and monitor opening, closing, and management of bank accounts.

• Oversee the project’s vehicle pool and ensure procedures for the operation, maintenance, and scheduling of project vehicles are in place and followed.

• Directly supervise and manage the performance of the project’s administrative and support teams that may include finance, IT officers, and program/office assistants, receptionists, and drivers.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree and six to eight years’ experience or Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience in finance, business, accounting, or other relevant fields, and at least five years of experience managing finance and administration for international development programs in Rwanda.
• Deep working knowledge of contractual management of USAID and/or other international donor contracts and cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated capacity to network and communicate orally and in writing to stakeholders at multiple levels in a clear, concise, and well-organized manner.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Experience building and leading teams, and supervising personnel.
• Fluency in English required.

How to apply:

Interested candidates may send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Please include the position title and “Rwanda FIRST” in the subject line of the email.  The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 24 June 2020.  Rwandan nationals are encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.

Deputy Chief of Party (Agriculture Policy Specialist) at at Abt Associates Inc: (Deadline 24 June 2020)

Job Description

Deputy Chief of Party (Agriculture Policy Specialist)

USAID Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity

Abt Associates, a global leader in implementing technical assistance programs and research in the fields of economic growth, agriculture, social and environmental policy, and climate change, seeks highly qualified candidates for the anticipated five-year USAID-funded Rwanda Facilitate Investment Required for Sustainable Export (FIRST) Activity which aims to increase agricultural exports through 1) facilitation of inclusive policy reforms using evidence-based analyses and strengthened advocacy capacity of private sector organizations; and 2) support local actors (government and private sector) to attract, mobilize and direct public and private financing resources towards productive priority projects.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), will be a specialist in agriculture policy or marketing who will provide strategic leadership, management, and technical direction and support to the project team, client, and counterparts in the implementation of FIRST activities that support building the capacity of local stakeholders to develop an open, trade-friendly and resilient agricultural policy environment. The DCOP will report to the Chief of Party and supervise a team of specialists. The position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, and is contingent upon project award to Abt Associates.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide subject matter expertise as necessary to strengthen regional agricultural policy and support an enabling environment for agriculture exports and interrelated areas, including value chain strengthening, competitiveness analyses, trade promotion, policy reform, and finance and investment enhancement.
• Provide strategic and technical leadership, technical support, and quality assurance to the project team, client, and country counterparts in developing open, trade-friendly and resilient national agricultural policy environment and in his/her subject areas of expertise.
• Collaborate with other FIRST Specialists and stakeholders to create and implement efforts to increase agriculture-led growth, specifically to reduce poverty and malnutrition and improve the enabling environment for private sector-led investment and high-value export-led growth consisting of regional and international trade.
• Build the capacity of local stakeholders to develop an open, trade-friendly, and resilient agricultural policy environment. Includes adoption and implementation of trade supportive policies and capacity building activities that encourage the use of evidence to inform policy reform.
• Engage private sector actors such as food processors, traders, farmers and other stakeholders such as industry and trade associations to contribute to national and regional policy dialogues initiatives through effective platforms.
• Work with public and private sector stakeholders to strengthen the competitiveness of high-value exports.
• Develop and support the implementation of activities/strategies that aim to improve compliance with regional and international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards. Help identify capacity and infrastructure needs and work to encourage mutual recognition of SPS protocols that will facilitate increased trade.
• Develop and support the implementation of activities/strategies that encourage the adoption of high-value export supportive policies and common industry standards that facilitate increased export of agricultural products.
• Serve as part of the senior management team to inform and lead strategic program management in coordination with the Chief of Party and the rest of the team.
• Supervise and provide technical oversight of work conducted by FIRST technical personnel, short-term technical advisors, and subcontractors.

• Coordinate with the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) Director and team on any subject matter related assessments and closely track the progress of implementation and results.

• Liaise with relevant USAID, regional, and national-level stakeholders/counterparts to support the identification and development of effective strategies and approaches to enhance high-value exports.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, public policy, or other relevant fields;
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, including in areas such as agriculture policy, value chain analyses, competitiveness, trade policy, agribusiness, regulatory reform, export, and trade promotion.
• Experience in leading program technical design and implementation, including managing and supervising teams, and in building local technical capacities.
• Understanding of national and regional policy-level issues and constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with inter-governmental or government representatives and other stakeholders, particularly those institutions most involved in export and investment promotion (NAEB and RDB) ;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Fluency in English required.
• USAID experience preferred.

How to apply:

Interested candidates may send a CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Please include the position title and “Rwanda FIRST” in the subject line of the email.  The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 24 June 2020.  Rwandan nationals are encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.