Catholic Relief Services began working in Ghana in 1958. Over the years, CRS has worked to implement programs on agriculture; health; HIV; microfinance; school feeding; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency relief and peace building. CRS implements programs through partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including the government of Ghana, local NGOs, international NGOs, Church, and public and private sector partners. CRS Ghana currently employs 56 national staff and 3 international staff. The country program’s head office is in Accra, with a sub office in Tamale.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Mission Statement
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:

Promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
Serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.

•   Location: Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions (two districts per zone)
•   Band/Grade: D Low
•   Reports to: CRS-ATT Project Coordinator

Background
Since 2013, the Agriculture Technology Transfer (ATT) project has succeeded in reaching over 109,000 farmers with its agriculture technology messages.  But, the project will have to reach many more farmers in order to meet its objective of 40% of all soybean, maize, and rice fields in northern Ghana planted using certified seed. ATT seeks to aggressively scale up the dissemination of productivity-enhancing, labor-saving technologies in the production of soy, maize and rice.

Catholic Relief Services Ghana Program (CRS) has also been promoting increased cultivation of soybeans (rotated with maize) in northern Ghana.  This outreach has been in collaboration with USAID’s Feed the Future-funded Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL). With SIL providing technical guidance, CRS has for the last three years worked with a network of over 2,400 women and men farmers, reaching them with technology messages and ‘Soybean Success Kits (SSK)’  to increase their productivity.

ATT has over the last four years worked with 21 local and community-based organizations, but recognizes that the value addition of CRS’ network of farmers, close connection with the district agriculture offices and the experience gained from the collaboration with the Soy Innovation Lab will go a long way in ensuring availability and use of agricultural technologies to maximize and sustain productivity in Northern Ghana (ATT’s Goal), while touch the lives of u to 15,000 farmers. Specialist (ZMS) to work closely with the ATT Project Coordinator (PC), partner staff and other team members in the management and implementation of the ATT Project activities in Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions.  The project aims to increase the availability and use of agricultural technologies to maximize and sustain productivity of maize, soybean and rice in Northern Ghana.

CRS seeks a SILC Specialist (SS) to work closely with the ATT Project Coordinator (PC), partner staff and other team members in the management and implementation of the ATT Project activities in Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions.  The project aims to increase the availability and use of agricultural technologies to maximize and sustain productivity of maize, soybean and rice in Northern Ghana.

Key Working Relationships:

•   Internal: Agric. Program Manager, Senior Agric. Program Officer, Project Coordinator and Finance Manager,
•   External:  IFDC/ATT Project, Departments of Agriculture and other partners

Key Responsibilities

•   Facilitate the implementation of SILC component of the CRS-ATT Project activities on timely basis and ensure sustained linkages between activities of the project
•   Ensure effective collaboration and linkage between CRS Ghana and relevant partners including targeted decentralized government agencies at the regional and district levels
•   Facilitate the roll out of the SILC Private Service Provider Business Model as part of the overall SILC component.
•   Work with the Project Coordinator and district level partner staff in preparation of work plans, capacity building modules, planning and delivery of project activities
•   Plan with, assign tasks to, and supervise partner field staff (AEAs) in the execution of their duties and responsibilities.
•   Work closely with other technical team members (including the MEAL Specialist) in the implementation of key project components at the district and community level to realize all project objectives and results including but not limited to farmer training, seed/technology fairs and effective SILC groups.

Project Implementation and Management:

•   Support and collaborate with project implementing partners and the target communities to undertake all activities aimed at enhancing the achievement of project strategic objectives
•   In collaboration with the PC, identify and promptly resolve all trouble-shooting issues as they arise within the team and work on team building and team communication
•   Support partner staff to develop, manage and supervise relationships and activities in beneficiary communities
•   Sensitize district partners and communities about project objectives
•   Support partners to mobilize and register farmers
•   Monitor and evaluate activities of all partners and submit reports to the PC
•   Consult the Project Coordinator in planning and organizing training workshops for collaborating partner staff, agro-dealers, community volunteers and farmers
•   Support and coordinate step down trainings by partner staff and community-based agents
•   Facilitate the process of documentation of project activities as required by the project/CRS.
•   Periodically review field activities to ensure and promote quality of service and maintain high quality standards in the implementation of the SILC aspects.
•   Trouble-shoot challenges and find appropriate solutions to them

Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

•   Periodically conduct field visits to ensure implementation plan is followed and level of activities is on track.
•   Ensure the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
•   Ensure accurate data collection, processing and timely reporting on project activities
•   In collaboration with the M&E specialist, monitor the project SILC activities.
•   Support the conduct of targeted assessments and surveys on timely basis
•   Work closely with M&E Specialist, key component specialists to supervise implementing partner staff and community-based agents on the M&E requirements of the project, and to assure that the project meets set goals and objectives
•   Produce success stories and human interest stories on project impact.
•   Support coordination of and participate in field visits from project partners

Other Duties/Assignments:

Carry out any other duties/assignments as shall from time to time be directed by the Project Coordinator, Agric. Program Manager, the Head of Programs or Country Representative.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, or other related field.
•   Minimum three years’ experience in agricultural or community development work at the field level.
•   Proven knowledge and experience in the Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) or Village Savings and Loans (VSLA) methodology.
•   Ability to work with minimum supervision.
•   Knowledge of Ghanaian agricultural landscape and key actors.
•   Previous experience working in an NGO agriculture project at the field or community level.
•   Experience working with smallholder farmers and farmer-based organizations (FBOs).
•   Demonstrated personal accountability, integrity and drive to serve others.
•   Demonstrated commitment to improving gender equality and gender responsiveness in programming.
•   Excellent English language communications skills required – both oral and written
•   Ability and willingness to ride a motorbike and possession of a valid riding license.
•   Proficiency in local languages of target districts in the three northern regions of Ghana.
•   Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well as part of a team.
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

PERSONAL SKILLS

•   Experience in training and providing technical support to partners/community-based agents
•   Strong work ethics and team building skills
•   Excellent human relations and enthusiasm for new challenges
•   Good networking skills and professionalism

Competencies

•   Set clear goals and  work  towards achieving them
•   Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
•   Manages financial resources with integrity
•   Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Agency-Wide Competencies

•   Upholds a Spirit of Service and Integrity
•   Cultivates Constructive and Collegial Relationships
•   Models Principled Stewardship
•   Promotes continuous learning and innovation

Note: List of responsibilities, professional and personal skills are considered indicative and not exhaustive; actual duties may differ or change depending on office and agency priorities at the time. CRS is an equal opportunity employer.  Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Location: Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions

How to Apply For the Job

To apply for this position, please submit your CV and letter of interest to:

gh_jobsapplic@crs.org

Closing Date: 10 February, 2017

The e-mail subject line for this application and CV should be ATT SILC Specialist

CRS is an equal opportunity employer.  Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.