The Government of Ghana has received funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) toward the implementation of the Northern Rural Growth Programme. The programme is highly demand-driven and private sector-led and adopts a value chain approach for developing agricultural growth in Northern Ghana. Nearly 45,000 households will directly benefit from a comprehensive intervention including strengthening of producer organisation, infrastructure improvements, improved access to irrigation and agricultural funding.

Job Summary

•   The programme aims at developing agricultural value chains and increasing agricultural production. It will help vulnerable groups, including women and young people, create profitable commodity and food chains, while improving market linkages for these agricultural products with the domestic and export markets.
•   The programme covers the three northern regions (Upper East, Upper West and Northern region) and contiguous savannah districts of Brong Ahafo Region.

Position:

•   Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for the above stated position in the 8-year Northern Rural Growth Programme of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The Programme has been implemented since 2009 and currently in its 7th year of implementation.
•   The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (M&ES) would be based at the PMU and be responsible for reviewing the existing system and operating the overall NRGP Monitoring and Evaluation System, He/she will report directly to the National Programme Co-ordinator.
•   In liaison with staff of other PMU and implementing agencies, the M&E specialist will generally ensure the effective monitoring of project processes, activities, outputs, outcomes/impacts through undertaking the following specific responsibilities among others.

Responsibilities:

•   Review and manage the NRGP MIS to ensure a proper flow of information to and from the operational level to PMU and especially the provision of timely and adequate information for decision taking by Programme Management;
•   Ensure that appropriate M&E procedures are prepared, established and implemented so as to provide sufficient basis for review of programming progress and for recommendation for changes in the emphasis which may be found to be necessary;
•   Review on regular basis the status of Programme implementation with a view of adopting corrective measures and bringing to the attention of the NPC any problems/issues arising thereof which may impede the implementation of the Programme;
•   Responsible for the process of preparing Annual and Quarterly Work Programme/Budgets for activities associated with Programme implementation stakeholders, private sector operators, DADUs and field units of Implementing Partners, and with the support and inputs from other technical specialists, for the consolidation and preparation of the final NRGP AWP&B;
•   Harmonize the Programme M&E with MOFA M&E framework considering the requirement of the Head office as well as the decentralized units
•   Prepare quarterly Monitoring Reports on all aspects of Programme implementation and progress including services in the areas of training, strengthening of producer organisations, marketing, financial services, technology promotion and policy consultation;
•   Undertake field surveys and give technical backstopping to Programme implemented;
•   In collaboration with the Gender Specialist, engendering NRGP activities by identifying and accounting for gender issues in planning, monitoring and evaluation;
•   Coordinate and consolidate periodical reports from the Facilitating Agencies on the implementation of their activities as well as Implementation Partners/ Technical and Service Providers;
•   Responsible for the timely preparation of the NRGP Annual Report which will contain evaluation of Programme progress in relation to the Programme objectives.   She/he will have similar responsibility in regard to Programme Completion Report;
•   Responsible for Programme Annual Review Workshop and other such relevant activities aimed at assessing Programme progress; and
•   Carry out any other activities that are assigned by the National Programme Co-ordinator.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   At least M.Sc. in Social Science or Agricultural Economics or related discipline;
•   At least 5 years working experience in donor-funded Programme related M&E
•   Experience in design of M&E system for donor-funded Programme will be an advantage;
•   Must be familiar with IFAD's Framework for a Results and Impact Management System (RIMS) for IFAD-sponsored Country Programme and AfDB's project logical framework;
•   Computer Literate especially in software of Microsoft Office, especially MS Excel, MS Access and MS Project;
•   Ability to develop, install and manage databases
•   Excellent writing and presentation skills; and
•   Willingness to work extra hours.

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
Email: chiefdir@mofa.gov.gh

For further information please contact:

THE PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST
NORTHERN RURAL GROWTH PROGRAMME
MINISTRY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
P. O. BOX TL 1237, TAMALE,

Mobile: 02431-30060 (for enquiries only)

Closing Date: 25 March, 2015