Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Food Processing Lead, Global FORK Activity

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Food Processing Lead for an upcoming Global Feed the Future FORK Activity funded by USAID. The anticipated program will be implemented across multiple countries and will invest in safe, nutritious food processing through the provision of context-specific expertise, and partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, and academia.

The Food Processing Lead will work closely with project partners to design and implement activities and interventions to strengthen the food processing sector and increase adoption of best practices in food processing tailored to the needs of target communities. The program is anticipated to start in 2024 and this position will be based in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of activities to strengthen the capacity of the food processing sector and targeted food processing actors to supply safe, affordable, desirable, and healthy food products across multiple country and regional contexts.
• Provide context-tailored, evidence-based technical expertise on safe and nutritious food processing practices, including but not limited to processing techniques, food safety standards, and quality control measures.
• Identify key stakeholders and food processing firms that have potential to drive transformational change in the local, regional, and country food systems in which the FTF FORK Activity will operate.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, private sector stakeholders, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to leverage resources and expertise to drive sustainable and high-quality food processing initiatives.
• Design and conduct assessments to identify gaps and opportunities in food processing value chains and develop context-appropriate strategies, partnerships, and timelines to address them.
• Provide capacity building support to local stakeholders, including through the development or adaptation of training programs, provision or local facilitation of technical assistance, and facilitation of relationships to strengthen the food processing sector and enhance food processing capabilities.
• Collaborate with other technical leaders to ensure integration of food processing development activities with synergistic outcomes including inclusion of women and youth, environmental sustainability, and the availability of nutritious foods in target communities.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of food processing development interventions and make recommendations for improvement, particularly towards the adoption of more gender and youth-inclusive and nutrition-sensitive practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, food technology, agricultural economics, or relevant field is required; master’s degree is desired.
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in food processing, value chain development, or related field, preferably in an international development context.
• Strong technical expertise in food processing techniques, food safety, and quality control standards, particularly in resource-constrained environments with limited law enforcement.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing food processing interventions in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working across a range of products and levels of processing.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and multicultural settings.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Portuguese is a plus.