Job Summary:
CRS Ghana is shifting toward a more catalytic role by aiming to introduce Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches to strengthen cocoa and shea value chains, create sustainable jobs for youth, and enhance internal capacity for market-driven programming. The Ghana project will build on the SPICES work in Madagascar which has transitioned to a larger Forest Flavors umbrella initiative allowing the CP to participate and leverage similar work in other countries.
You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the Forest Flavors Ghana interventions under the market systems development strategy project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project. This position will report to the Director for Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Landscape and will be based in Tamale, Ghana, with frequent travel across Northern, Western and Bono East Regions of Ghana.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- You will lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities through most of the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
- Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
- Provide technical leadership on Market Systems Development (MSD), youth employment, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, and landscape restoration.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with COCOBOD, Ghana, Forestry Commission, private sector buyers (OFI, ECOM, etc.), local government, financial institutions, and research organizations.
- Determine activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
- Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
- Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project files are complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
- Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
- Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
- Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.
- Ability to contribute to written reports
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
- Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
Preferred Qualifications
- Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including international donors.
- Experience engaging with partner organizations
- Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.
Required Languages - Proficient in English Language.
Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Snr Project Officer, Project officers
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: Agric Technical Advisor, Agric Program Director, Head of Programming, Snr Project MEAL Officer, Grant Manager, and Snr Project Officers
External: Field Agents, local partner management and project officers, other consortium member staff located in the region, District stakeholders, and other local
