The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has created the METSS project to provide technical support for program monitoring and evaluation (M&E), research, policy analysis and capacity building for its agriculture and energy programs. The current project is a new, five-year continuation of an existing project that ended this year and is administered through the University of Cape Coast, Kansas State University and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

A critical component of METSS is disseminating knowledge, tools, and learning gained from implementationg of USAID's activities. As the activities progress towards maturity, it is important to capture, analyze and disseminate knowledge from activity implementation in a more systematic manner in order to effectively communicate lessions learned to key project stakeholders, including development practitioners in agriculture, food security, nutrition, energy, the private sector, and policymakers of the host country.

METSS will create a publicly accessible online platform that captures data related to USAID's economic growth program, case studies, lessons learned, videos, presentations, and templates in a practical, innovative and user-friendly way for use by target audiences

Pursuant to this goal, METSS seeks to secure the services of the following professionals:

Title: Computer Programmer / Database Manager

The purpose for this position is to provide technical support to address the growing effort for meeting the monitoring and reporting requirement USAID's Economic Growth (EG) office as it implements its agriculture development program and other initiatives.

The computer programmer will write, test and maintain computer-based programs to meet the monitoring and reporting needs of the EG office and its implementing partners.

Duties and responsibilities;

Reporting directly to the Director of Program Operations (DPO), the incumbent will provide technical assistance to METSS in developing and maintaining databases for collating, storing, analyzing and reporting reliable data from implementing partners for reporting on indicators for FtF and other initiatives of the EG office. Specifically he/she will perform the following duties:

•   Study and understand the EG Office program intent, data requirements, nature and sources of input data, internal
checks and other controls required in consultation with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team and Implementing Partners,
•   Prepare detailed logical workflow charts to establish sequence of steps for data input and computer processing
operations.
•   Review the existing METSS results reporting database to ascertain its adequacy in addressing the current needs of
the EG office and implementing partners; and provide the leadership for any modification
if determined to be necessary,
•   Prepare detailed documentation of computer programs in a machine code, assembler, or high-level language on
specifications provided by subject matter specialists of METSS and test programs to eliminate errors. This includes
designing and developing computer-based survey instruments as required and in consultation with the METSS
research team.
•   Maintain computer programs to account for necessary changes in data input and output specifications and/or
hardware configurations. Maintain and update computer software applications and computer operating systems.
•   Install computers and perform diagnostics on computer hardware. Perform any other tasks assigned by the OPO.
•   The incumbent will collaborate with officials of USAID/Ghana and the implementing partners in the performance of duties.

Qualification Required & Experience

The following qualifications and experiences are required of the successful applicant:

•   A minimum of Higher Diploma in Computer Programming or related areas
•   with over ten years working experience in a similar position; or a higher degree in same subject area with at least five years practical experience in programming.
•   A minimum of five years practical experience in designing project/program databases and computer-based survey
instrument,
•   A minimum of three years practical experience in quantitative analysis of data. Experience in the use of STATA is an advantage.
•   Excellent team playing skills and an ability to work independently while being responsive to the team's needs,
•   Excellent communication and report writing skills.
•   Ability to travel to the field on short notice.
•   Knowledge and application of Geographic Information Systems is an advantage.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants must submit Curriculum Vitae, Salary History, three references and a cover letter which addresses the requirement of the position of interest, to the following e-mail address:-

recruit@metssghana.org

Closing Date: 16 May, 2014

Note: Insert the Position of interest in the subject line of the e-mail.