MEDA’s project, Greater Rural Opportunities (GROW), seeks to improve food security for 20,000 families in northern Ghana. GROW helps women increase availability, access and utilization of a variety of appropriate and nutritious food through strengthening production and market linkages, increasing diversification in production, and creating nutrition awareness. The project works in eight districts of the Upper West Region and is at the mid-way point in a six-year lifespan.

Task Summary

•   The financial Services officer will support the financial services specialist to facilitate women farmers’ access to appropriate credit and other financial services for production and other off farm economic activities. This will include working with KFPs and the financial services specialist to identify financial service providers, collecting information on women access financial services, and monitoring the utilization and credit recovery.

•   The job holder generally will support the financial services specialist to effectively link women farmers to appropriate financial services through the KFPs. S/he will therefore serve as a link between the KFPs and the Financial Services Specialist.

Duties

•   Take part in identifying financial service providers and the services and products they offer to small holders
•   Participate in analyzing the various potential agricultural financing models available in MEDA operational areas
•   Participate in identifying the value chain financing options within the soya value chain
•   Help to collate the financing needs of farmers from all five KFPs
•   Support in identifying the viable off farm economic activities
•   Assist the financial Services Specialist in linking women to appropriate sources of financing their off farm activities in collaboration with the KFPs
•   Assist the Financial Specialist to monitor the disbursement of loans in collaboration with KFPs
•   Support the Financial Services Specialist in the monitoring of loan utilization and recovery process
•   Assist in the documentation of processes of activities implemented
•   Work to facilitate the interaction between KFPs, FSPs and MEDA

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Minimum qualification is degree in Agribusiness Studies, Banking, Micro Finance or related field
•   Ability to work as a team player is a plus
•   Duty Station: Wa in the Upper West Region
•   The candidate shall demonstrate understanding of Financial Services to small scale farmers
•   Must have experience in loans disbursement and recovery for women groups and small scale farmers
•   The candidates must have experience working in food security and agribusiness or related field
•   Experience working in private sector is a plus
•   Ability to speak any of the local languages in the Upper West will be an added advantage

Location: Wa - Upper West Region

How to Apply For the Job

Applicants should apply with their CV and Cover Letter, to:

grow@meda.org

Closing Date: 17 March, 2017

Qualified Ghana nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.