Signature Program Technical Lead Senegal

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

The Organization

Since 1944, Heifer International has helped more than 36 million families lift themselves out of hunger and poverty. Our goal is to support families in achieving a living income, enabling them to afford daily meals, education for their children, adequate housing, clean water, hygiene, and other essential resources. When families achieve sustainable income, they can invest in their communities by building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming savings groups, and funding small businesses.

Heifer Senegal aims to contribute to Heifer Africa’s goal of supporting 6.745 million households in achieving a sustainable living income by 2030. Specifically, Heifer Senegal is committed to helping 200,000 households become self-reliant, ensuring they live in harmony with their environment while improving their nutrition and economic stability through integrated, wealth-creating value chains. The country program is shifting from traditional production approaches to a market-driven model that links smallholder farmers to premium markets while strengthening production for nutrition, reinforcing social capital, and enhancing partnerships.

Heifer International established its Senegal Country Program in 2017. As part of its Signature Program Building Women and Youth Economic Resilience in the Sahel Heifer Senegal is forging partnerships with private sector firms and working closely with the Government of Senegal at the district level. These partnerships aim to mobilize resources for scaling successful interventions after proof of concept. The Senegal Signature Program has an eight-year lifespan (2022-2030) and will initially be implemented across ten regions before scaling up proven interventions to other parts of the country.

The program will achieve its vision by collaborating with private sector firms to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers in key value chains, including sheep, goats, horticulture, poultry, and dairy.

The Function

The Signature Program Technical Lead will oversee the design and implementation of the Senegal Country Office's Signature Program and related projects. The role ensures that program management processes align with Heifer International’s principles, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The Technical Lead will be responsible for ensuring high-quality program design, execution, impact measurement, learning, and reporting on key performance indicators. This position requires strong management, communication, and strategic skills to drive sustainable and scalable impact through long-term partnerships.

The Signature Program Technical Lead – Senegal reports to the Country Director and collaborates with the Regional Signature Program Technical Team. The role supervises Project and Program Managers and Coordinators.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

A. Signature Program Design (15%)

• Lead and support the design and implementation of market systems and value chain development programs.
• Facilitate access to innovative financing, appropriate technology, and premium markets for smallholder farmers.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners.
• Provide technical leadership for developing project proposals, ensuring alignment with donor priorities and Heifer’s strategic approach.
• Strengthen collaboration with donors, peer organizations, and research institutions to enhance program quality.

B. Program Management and Quality Initiatives (40%)

• Provide strategic leadership for program execution, ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to schedules and budgets.
• Apply best practices, partnership principles, and tools to achieve high-quality program implementation.
• Develop and implement standardized approaches for program quality, including capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Analyze program data, share lessons learned, and improve decision-making based on evidence.
• Monitor program performance through regular meetings, field visits, and stakeholder communication.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, Heifer’s policies, and best practices in program implementation.

C. Sustainable Locally-Led Development (15%)

• Promote local ownership of project activities and foster stakeholder participation.
• Engage communities and local partners in project design, implementation, and feedback loops.
• Implement an inverted organizational structure, ensuring participatory decision-making and program sustainability.

D. Budget Management and Monitoring (15%)

• Ensure all program teams develop and manage annual budgets and work plans in alignment with program objectives.
• Conduct quarterly budget monitoring and variance analysis to ensure financial accountability.
• Track expenditures and ensure financial compliance with donor and Heifer policies.
• Approve program-related financial transactions and reconcile expenditures with project plans.

E. Strengthening Core Global Operating Systems (10%)

• Ensure compliance with Heifer International policies and accountability standards.
• Maintain strong communication with the Regional Signature Program Technical Team and HQ departments.
• Oversee program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes.
• Maintain program files and documentation for reference and compliance.

F.  Other Assigned Duties (5%)

• Perform other job-related responsibilities as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, business management, international development, social sciences, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree is preferred.
• 10-15 years of program management experience, including at least 5 years in market systems and value chain development.
• Experience working with governments, private sector stakeholders, and international organizations.
• At least 7 years of leadership experience in signature programming.
• At least 5 years in a management role.

Key Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Professional Excellence
• Humility
• Customer Orientation
• Empathy
• Innovation

Deadline for Application: 5th April 2025.

SDG Impact