Chief of Party - Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management

About the role

The Chief of Party provides overall project management and coordination, with technical expertise, for the project "Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management" in Mozambique. The project promotes local development by reducing deforestation and forest degradation, avoiding carbon emissions while preserving biodiversity, and contributes to the donor's decarbonization targets through carbon credits certified under Verra standards (VCS, SD Vista). The role combines carbon-related objectives with the management of an agricultural and rural development programme, reporting to the Country Program Director and the Country Representative.

Key responsibilities

• Supervise and hold final responsibility for implementing project activities in line with the approved proposal, budget, financial plan and schedule, working with the Nature Based Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator.
• Act as the main interlocutor between AVSI and the donor in the country, and coordinate AVSI Mozambique with regional and global thematic experts and focal points.
• Ensure project targets and key performance indicators are achieved according to AVSI project management procedures.
• Contribute to recruiting, orienting and training project staff, strengthening their capacity, autonomy and professional development.
• Lead and coordinate district teams across agronomy, community engagement, livelihoods and monitoring, and oversee field registration and monitoring according to international standards such as VERRA.
• Apply AVSI logistics and administrative procedures, and ensure quality of results through monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Promote links with other national and international projects, write narrative and financial reports, and maintain relationships with partners, local authorities and stakeholders.
• Represent AVSI in sectoral coordination structures and meetings, share experiences with the AVSI network, identify new funding proposals and support the application of AVSI policies.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Development Studies, Livelihoods, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Agricultural or Environmental Science or a related field; a Master's degree is an advantage.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant project management experience, including managing a large programme.
• At least 5 years of work in a tropical and/or sub-tropical area.
• Fluent English and Portuguese, or at least one or two additional Latin languages.
• Advantages: experience in sustainable land management, agriculture, forest and agroforestry; knowledge of carbon markets, policy and finance; previous experience in Mozambique; experience in Participatory Rural Appraisal.

Required skills

• Excellent knowledge of main office IT tools.
• Strong ability to coordinate and manage multiple partners and relationships with government entities, donors and stakeholders.

Starting date December 2026/January 2027, 12-month period, salary of 50,000-60,000 USD per year depending on experience. Apply through the AVSI website.