The  Government of the Republic of Ghana has applied for funds from the International Fund a for Agricultural Develepment (IFAD) to implement the Ghana  Agricutural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP). The Programme provides a framework for a long-term financing engagement for private sector-led, pro-poor agricultural value chain development in Ghana. The objective of the programme is to contribute to sustamable poverty reduction in rural Ghana, ensuring that agribusinesses - including smallholders - increase their profitability and resilience to climate change- The programme is national in scope and governed by a demand - and market-driven approach that will provide a basis for scaling up investments in pro-poor agricultural vaiue chain development led by the private sector. The strategic focus of GASIP will be on smallholder farmers, to make them more competitive by increasing their capacity to respond to market demand in terms of quality, price, time and volume thus contributing to METASIP objectives. At least 62T860 clients or direct beneficiaries will be targeted towards the end of project year 3 (PY3) and 86,400 clients by PY6, of which at least 50% will be women, 20% youth (15-24 years) and 30% young adults (25-34 years).

Job Summary

Component 1: Value Chain Development - is central to ensuring strong business linkages among actors in the entire value chains of commodities to ensure they meet market or consumer and industry demands. It has three sub-components: Agribusiness linkage development; rural financial services and climate change resilience which needs to be mainstreamed in promoting value chains to reduce risks and enhance profitability and justainable production systems.

Component 2: Rural Value Chain Infrastructure - aimed at providing the enabling infrastructure to catalyze value chain development, it has two sub-components: Productive infrastructure   and   Facilities aimed   at encouraging   investments   in   commercial infrastructure and facilities for the selected value chains and Enabling Public Infrastructure - aimed to finance enabling public infrastructure for the growth and viability of selected value chains.

Component 3: Knowledge Management, Policy Support and Coordination aimed at harnessing successful lessons for replication and providing an enabling environment for optimization of programme opportunities and benefits. The two sub-components are Knowledge Management, Harmonization and Policy Support- aims at creating an enabling environment for smallholders to participate in profitable and climate change resilient agricultural value chains and Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Programme.

The Programme which is planned for six years is expected to commence in January 2015 under the responsibility of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). It builds on the achievements of some on-going and soon-to-complete projects such as Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) and Root and Tuber improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP). GASIP will have a National Programme Coordination Unit in Accra and three Zonal Programme Offices (ZPO) in Kumasi, Tamale and Dodowa. The NPCU shall be composed of (i) National Programme Coordinator, (ii) a Policy and M&E Manager, (iii) a Financial Manager, (iv) Procurement and Contract Manager, (v) a Climate Change Adaptation Manager, (vi) an Infrastructure Manager, and other professional and support staff.

The National Programme Coordinator (NPC) will coordinate activities and ensure GASIP implementation according  to the  conditions of the  loan  financing agreement,  the programme Design Report (PDR) and the Programme Implementation Manual (PIM).
S/he needs to ensure effective and timely implementation of theprogramme, with special attention to providing overall inter-agency coordination and facilitation at various levels.
S)he will have the initial responsibility of coordinating pre-programme activities and have overall responsibility of the day to day activities of GASIP when it becomes effective.
S/He will report directly to the Chief Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA).

Duties and Responsibilities Includes:
Implementation readiness:

•   Oversee the establishment of the NPCU and the three Zonal Programme Offices (ZPCOs)
•   In consultation with MoFA facilitate the establishment of the Programme Steering Committee (PSC).
•   Initiate the M&E system design for the Programme
•   Finalize the Programme Implementation Manual (PIM), Finance and Administration Manual and otherguidelines;
•   In collaboration with MoFA facilitate the effective promotion of the GASIP at the National, Regional and District levels across the country through stakeholder workshops and media. Coordinate training workshops on the programme strategy and approaches
•   In consultation with key stakeholders ensure the preparation of Zonal AWPBs and a consolidated National Annual Workplan and Budget (AWPB) and procurement plan.

Programme Coordination:

•   Oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the programme at the national and zonal offices,
•   Direct and supervise the day-to-day operations of the programme, guided by the PDR, PIM and the AWPB, providing any necessary amendments to ensure smooth performance
•   Identify and engage Implementation Partners and relevant technical assistance.
•   Oversee the preparation of AWPBs of the Programme with the participation and inputs of all key stakeholders.
•   Ensure the design of a participatory results based Monitoring and Evaluation,
•   Ensure that all contractual obligations are adhered to.
•   Regularly appraise staff and provide feedback and support to enable them perform theirjobs.
•   Establish and maintain good working relationships with all programme participants and stakeholders - including MoFA and other Government agencies, development partners, private sector and NGOs
•   Promote collaboration among Development Partners (DPs) and the private sector on value chain development.
•   Take full responsibility for procurement of goods and services and approve contracts for all transactions after obtaining the necessary no objections,
•   Ensure timely preparation and submission of mandatory reports e.g. M&E data and reports and their wide access and distribution,
•   Promote knowledge sharing and learning within the programme and with other partners,
•   Commission mandatory and ad hoc evaluation studies to gain insights necessary to reorient programme implementation as necessary,
•   Support external missions to foster joint learning process that improves programme implementation to achieve impact,
•   Undertake  any  other  responsibility  that  will  ensure  smooth  and  effective implementation of the Programme.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Advanced degree in Business Administration, Agriculture, Project Management,Agricultural Economics or other relevant academic background (essential)
•   Otherrelated professional courses
•   At least 10 years of relevant work experience in agricultural development issues including policy design and implementation of agricultural value chain programmes.
•   Experience working with the private sector (essential),
•   Experience in working for International Financial Institutions or donor-funded programmes or similar market-oriented rural development interventions (essential);
•   Knowledge of Government and IFAD or donor-funded policies and procedures on gender, environment and general programme finance and administration management (essential);
•   Ability to develop and foster partnerships (essential);
•   Staff management experience including recruitment, appraisals and managing performance (essential).
•   Good level of proficiency in MicrosoftApplications including MS Project;
•   Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity of others
•   Experienced in electronic data processing and analysis and data base development;
•   Strong analytical and market oriented skills

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Qualified and interested applicants should send application letters with copies of curriculum vitae, certificates and other relevant documentation to:

The Chief Director
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
PO Box M 37, Accra, Ghana

For further information please contact:

chiefdir@mofa.gov.gh
Tel: +233-0302-660935

MINISTRY OFFOOD AND AGRICULTURE (MOFA)
PO BOX MB.37, ACCRA

Applicants are to include direct contacts (reliable telephone, fax numbers and email address) in their applications in order to facilitate early and easy contact.

Closing Date: 22 August, 2014