Chief of Party – Lead Rainforest Alliance Cocoa Initiative

About the role

The Chief of Party will provide overall leadership for a three‑year, industry‑led initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of the cocoa supply chain in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Reporting directly to senior Rainforest Alliance stakeholders, the role ensures that technical, financial and compliance obligations are met while coordinating a large, multi‑disciplinary team on the ground.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight and technical direction for the entire program.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regional and local partners, governments and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure full delivery of contractual obligations, including financial, compliance and resource‑mobilisation targets.
• Manage day‑to‑day operations, coordinate work plans, and monitor budget utilisation.
• Recruit, supervise and support a core team of over 20 staff and a wider network of 100+ coaches and enumerators.
• Facilitate stakeholder participation and maintain effective governance with implementing partners.
• Lead risk‑management activities and produce timely, transparent reporting.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience managing large, field‑based teams (20+ core staff, 100+ field personnel).
• Demonstrated expertise in large‑scale agricultural projects, preferably within the cocoa sector in West Africa.
• Strong ability to coordinate across multiple partners, governments and donors.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Capacity to oversee technical, financial and compliance aspects of complex programs.

Required skills