Winrock International is a non-profit organization that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock International is currently recruiting for the position of full-time Nutrition Specialist in its Tamale office to support the five-year, USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Project (USAID AgNRM).

AgNRM seeks to provide a scalable, integrated landscapes approach to support sustainable economic development and rural livelihoods, improve nutritional outcomes, expand climate change related risk management options, and strengthen northern Ghana’s natural resource base. As part of this, AgNRM is supporting community-based natural resource management in the Black Volta Basin and in the Western and Eastern Biodiversity Corridors.

The project activities are being implemented within the Forestry Commission’s Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) framework under four project outcomes: 1) Increased Incomes from Natural Resource Products; 2) Improved Food and Nutritional Security; 3) Increased Farmer and Community Security/Access to Land and Natural Resources; and 4) Strengthened Environmental Stewardship.

Winrock International is seeking applicants for the position of Access to Finance and Investment Specialist as part of USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resources Management project. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the position description below.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• LOCATION: Tamale, Ghana
• UNIT:Forestry and Natural Resource Management Group
• POSITION TITLE: Access to Finance and Investment Specialist
• STATUS: Full time
• REPORTS TO: Value Chain Expert

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Access to Finance and Investment Specialist will work with the Value Chain Expert, technical staff, field teams, and partners to identify, develop and/or strengthen Natural Resource Product (NRP) and agriculture product value chains.
• NRP collector/processor groups and firm viability will be enhanced through effective business planning and implementation, improved financial access and linkages to equitable markets.

INCLUDED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take a lead in identifying, cultivating, and developing financial options and enterprise opportunities in AgNRM supported communities;
• Provide technical guidance on access to finance and investment promotion related issues and work with NRP firms to identify gaps and devise solutions for finance options that are accessible, appropriate, and affordable;
• Increase the capacity of Natural Resource Product (NRP)-based firms to attract and use available finance options;
• Assist the finance sector to better evaluate and assess risk of working with NRP firms; and develop financial products and services that are tailored to NRP firms in AgNRM’s Zone of Influence;
• Collaborate with AgNRM team to enhance and develop tools that build capacity for AgNRM’s targeted firms to access and management credit, investments, or other obligations;
• Link NRP firms to investors, banking, and other financial institutions and mechanisms;
• Provide leadership in the review and evaluation of the business plans of proposed and established/functioning enterprises;
• Ensure viability and sustainability of the proposed enterprises;
• Assists in the identification and assessment of existing technology(ies) that could be adapted by specific enterprise(s);
• Develop and deliver training for NRP firm support providers on financial management, business practices and skills; business plan development, and to strengthen and/or expand NRP enterprise
• Ensure effective linkages and integration of activities with the other AgNRM components, including agriculture, value chain activities, natural resource management and improving CREMA governance capacities.
• Liaise with Communications Team to develop a variety of communications materials and knowledge resources to provide up-to-date success stories and evidence of program results and impacts;
• Provide bi-weekly and quarterly report inputs, and participate in annual reporting and planning processes;
• Coordinate and collect data and complete written reports on nutrition on a regular basis.
• Anticipate challenges in project implementation, identify solutions, and work with the team in problem-solving.
• Performs other duties that may be required from time to time as may be directed by the Outcome One (1) Lead and/ the AgNRM management;
• Other duties as requested.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Excellent benefits include life, disability, and medical insurance, retirement, and other normal Winrock benefits.

Qualification Required & Experience

Education

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in business administration, agriculture economics, development studies, or relevant financial field.

Work Experience

• Minimum three years of relevant experience designing and managing community development activities.
• Experience in Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise business planning, development and utilization of simple business management tools.
• Experience in managing and mentoring formal and informal business groups/ enterprises.
• Extensive experience in markets and/or rural development, and access to finance.
• Experience organizing and managing community forums, such as trainings, workshops, and meetings.
• Demonstrated and proven record to work in a multidisciplinary team under changeable and complex circumstances.
• Previous work experience and knowledge of USAID or other donor projects.

Skills

• Excellent data collection, collation and reporting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in at least one of the local languages spoken in AgNRM’s Zone of Influence is a plus.
• Computer literacy, specifically in Microsoft Word and Excel, is required.

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

All interested candidates shall submit their applications (maximum 5 pages including resume, two references and one-page cover letter) in English to:

Ghana.Recruitment@winrock.org indicating “Access to Finance and Investment Specialist” in the subject line.

Closing Date: 16 March, 2018

Qualified applicants will be invited for an in-person interview.

Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted. EEOE/AA.