The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women to serve in local communities. In Ghana, these trained men and women (Peace Corps Volunteers) work in the areas of Health, Education, and Agriculture. The agency in Ghana is seeking to hire an individual to assist with its Pre-Service Training operations in the Kukurantumi Office, September to December 2013, as Technical Resource Coordinator (TRC) for the Agriculture program.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Peace Corps is an agency that promotes international peace, friendship, and sustainable development by sending trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance. The Agriculture Technical Resource Coordinator (TRC) is ultimately responsible to the DPT under whose direction and supervision he/she works. He/she also works in close collaboration with the Facilitators and Coordinators. He/she must maintain open communication with staff members working closely with them to participate in teamwork, collaboration and assisting integration between training components. In consultation with the Program APCD, he/she is responsible for developing the Agriculture training design, developing and directing Trainee Directed Activities (TDAs) and monitoring and evaluating the technical training component.

The Agriculture TRC is the lead trainer in the Agriculture training program. While he/she may not facilitate every Agriculture training session he/she is responsible to see to it that they take place and adhere to the training design. The Agriculture TRC should be knowledgeable and experienced in community work and capable of providing staff and Trainees’ direction, information and ideas relative to the Agriculture sector.

In directing a staff of several PCV Resource Trainers and guest facilitators the TRC will assist them in carrying out their work to the best of their ability by providing informal individual and in-service staff development training during the PST helping them to improve their training skills.

The TRC will work with Language/Culture Facilitators and other facilitators to ensure that technical language TDAs are developed to help Trainees meet the Agriculture Sector’s competencies. He/she will possess particular expertise in community mobilization and social methodology skills. The TRC works directly with Peace Corps Staff, partners, and PCVs and supports the U.S. Peace Corps mission in Ghana in the following main areas:

Technical Training 60%

•   Work the Associate Peace Corps Director (APCD) to learn about the Environment project and Volunteer assignments within it.
•   Establish sound working relationships with the APCD/Training, APCDs, CD, and the entire training staff as well as with any host country agency officials involved in the program.
•   In consultation with the APCD and the training staff, design the Environment component’s goals, objectives schedule, based on Peace Corps’ approach to training. Ensure that it corresponds to technical training competencies and the task analysis. Trainee competencies will be developed through Trainee Directed Activities (TDAs) designed and directed with other facilitators.
•   Attend and participate in the Training of Trainers (TOT) held prior to the PST. Be prepared to lead sessions if requested by the APCD/Training.
•   Work closely with the APCD/Training and entire training staff to assist in a training program which is integrated, incorporates the principles of experiential and adult learning, and adheres to Peace Corps’ training philosophy.
•   Direct the development and writing of the individual training session plans for the program based on the guidelines, directives and overall goals and objectives. Ensure that all Environment PCVTs write effective session plans for each training session they present and that they collect and store all plans each week for inclusion in the final report. Provide advice and editing assistance to PCVTs who need it.
•   Facilitate, co-facilitate or delegate all Environment training sessions. Facilitate other training sessions when
necessary if the subject falls within the TRC’s field of expertise. Attend all Environment training sessions.
•   Facilitate group discussions and serve as primary technical resource persons.
•   Direct, write, assist and monitor the development of new training materials and update existing ones. Supervise and/or prepare all relevant technical learning materials.
•   Solicit Trainee input into the design, delivery and evaluation of the training program. Where possible allow PCVs to facilitate sessions and organize outings.
•    Direct and supervise the organization, establishment and execution of all technical outings into the community and field trips related to Environment.
•   Demonstrate a variety of Environment Education training methods. Assist and advise Trainees in preparing their practice Environment Education training activities.
•   Observe and evaluate all Environment Trainees during their practice training at least twice. Observation and evaluation should focus on criteria established in the community problem solving model and the trainees understanding and execution of the process approach to development. Feedback should be given to each Trainee.
•   Provide expertise and leadership in counseling Trainees. Serve as a model to the staff in giving and receiving feedback.
•   Provide leadership that establishes and maintains a healthy productive team spirit among the training staff.
•   Ensure specific planned feedback to Trainees on a regular basis.
•   In consultation with the APCD/Training design and implement a Trainee assessment system.
•   In collaboration with the Training Director, recommend to the PC Director, all Trainees who should not swear-in as Peace Corps Volunteers with supporting documentation.
•   Write/submit bi-weekly training reports to the APCD/Training, highlighting the period’s activities, problems, successes, and recommendations.
•   Attend and participate in all regular staff meeting called by the TD.
•   Monitor the collection, collation and storage of all Environment training materials and document to assure accessibility for future PSTs. Ensure that all Environment session training designs are documented at the level of detail required by the APCD/Training.
•   Brief or ensure the briefing of all visiting short-term Environment facilitators on the status of the training and the training site regulations. Explain the trainer’s role and any other matters pertinent to the visit. Provide short-term trainers with a packet of written information which includes the Environment component’s training design, training calendar, goals, objectives, technical competencies and the Environment training activity calendar; component’s training design, training calendar, goals, objectives, technical competencies and the Environment training activity calendar.
•   Develop appropriate technical agro-enterprise training with the SED TRC. Structure the program at a level appropriate for what the trainees will experience at site.
•   Visit useful sites with other sectors when possible.
•   Invite guest speakers, volunteers, trainers, counterparts, development workers, community members and government officials as and when necessary to participate in delivering training sessions.
•   Deliver a thorough and comprehensive written evaluation of the Environment training program. Ensure that the evaluation methodologies used are varied: oral, written, individual, group, trainer designed/Trainee designed.
•   Maintain constant awareness of the process and progress of the Environment training in achieving its goals. Steer and direct the program as needed.
•   Submit a final report at the end of PST which includes at least the Environment training design, bi-weekly reports, and overall evaluation of the training with recommendations for future training programs.
•   At the end of the training program help with the collection, inventory, packing, storing, filing, and photocopying of all training materials.
•   Perform other duties where necessary related to the pre-service training when requested by the Training Director.

Cross Culture Facilitation 20 %

•   Serve as an honest and objective cultural information resource for Trainees.
•   Be available outside “classroom” hours to assist with cross-cultural learning and integration.
•   Take part in problem-solving situations with home stay families; if the issue is serious, solicit advice from the Homestay Coordinator and/or Training Manager.
•   Acts as a community contact person when necessary for communication, information-sharing, and liaison with the Training Manager, PST Director and other Coordinators.

Safety and Security: 20%

•   Document and report to the Training Manager, any safety and security concerns or incidents involving Trainee, host family or community member behavior with regards to alcohol use or culturally inappropriate behavior that places Trainees at risk.
•   Provide safety and security support to PC Trainees and staff and assists in MS270 regulations compliance.
•   Monitor safety and security environment with host families and host communities.
•   Co-facilitate safety and security sessions with the Safety and Security Coordinator (SSC) as needed.
•   Report all medical emergencies to community contact person, LC, Training Manager, PST Director.
•   Act as warden to support safety and security. These duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

1) Awareness and understanding of Peace Corps Safety and Security policies.
2) Awareness and understanding of the Peace Corps Ghana PST Emergency Action Plan.
3) Awareness and understanding of the warden’s roles and responsibilities in the communities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•   Possess at least a Diploma in a relevant field
•   Minimum of three years in adult training/learning experience
•   Minimum of five years of experience in a cross-cultural setting
•   Ability to speak and write at least two Ghanaian languages fluently
•   Knowledge and understanding of U.S. values, history and culture
•   Must have at least three years of experience in the field of Agro forestry, Extension services and
•   Biodiversity development and utilization
•   Have workshop planning and facilitation skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•   Demonstrate a variety of Environment Education training methods
•   Strong skills in training curricula development
•   Very strong networking, negotiation and collaboration skills
•   Peace Corps experience
•   Have knowledge of program monitoring and evaluating.

Compensation: Competitive salary.

Location: Kukurantumi, Ghana

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

1) A detailed resumé or C.V. that includes:
Professional positions held identifying duties, responsibilities, dates of employment and reasons for leaving
Education and training, schools attended, dates of attendance, qualifications obtained
An accounting for periods of unemployment longer than three months
3 Professional references.
2) A cover letter
3) Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above:

Write the job number on the back of the envelope and deliver to either of the addresses:

Post Delivery:

The Director of Management
and Operations
U. S. Peace Corps
P. O. Box 5796,
Accra –North

Hand Delivery:

The Director of Management
and Operations
Peace Corps Ghana Office
14 Dade Link
Labone, Accra

Email:  jobs@gh.peacecorps.gov

Closing Date: 26 July, 2013