Grameen Foundation (GF) helps the world’s poorest people reach their full potential, by connecting their determination and skills with the resources they need.  In Ghana, Grameen Foundation develops mobile phone based solutions to strengthen health care delivery and improve health behaviors, particularly for the rural poor, and is starting up a new program that will use mobile phones to help smallholder farmers improve their efficiency and productivity.

•   Consultant: Agronomist
•   Project:  ICT Challenge Ghana
•   Project Duration: mid January – end April 2015 (30 work days expected)

Background

Grameen Foundation, Digital Green, and Farm Radio International, with funding from USAID, will implement a scalable, integrated suite of ICT-based services that will enable extension networks, input suppliers, and other value chain players to reach Ghanaian farmers with critical information on new technologies and promote their adoption and correct use in target value chains. The solution will combine the reach of SMS, voice messaging (IVR), and radio with the depth of intermediated rich content delivery to cost-effectively drive behavior change that is proven to increase yields and improve food security.

Each partner brings unique expertise, propriety technology, and a track record of lasting results in desired behavior change with smallholder farmers using a given delivery channel. Working closely with local research institutions, the consortium will develop a content strategy that will promote New Alliance objectives and leverage the unique advantages of different ICT channels to deliver complementary messages that reinforce and accelerate behavior change.

The consortium will also benefit from in-kind contributions from extension network partners when deploying and maintaining the agent network, test smallholders and input supplier willingness to pay for access to certain content, and build strategic alliances with government and other value chain players to embed services and service delivery with long-term owners, ensuring sustainability over time.

The Consultant has four deliverables throughout the engagement, the first is diagram of the content architecture for cassava, cowpea, maize, rice, soybean and yam on various delivery channels (SMS, IVR and mobile reference guides), second is a table of key messages per value chain that will guide the detailed content developed by the Lead, Content & Services, third is a short brief containing recommendations on impact indicators of the program and the last is a review of the detailed messaging developed for each value chain. The Consultant will work closely with the Project Director, and the Lead, Content & Services.

Key Deliverables and Detailed Scope of Work (updated 26 November 2014)

Deliverable 1: Flow chart of content architecture showing different curriculum modules per value chain mapped to cropping calendars and SSTP gaps

Deadline: March 6, 2015 (DRAFT); March 27, 2015 (FINAL)

•   Identify key gaps in the 6 value chains (cassava, cowpea, maize, rice, soybean and yam) and understand the benefits of the NA technologies from SSTP
•   Provide over-all design and framework for the agricultural content on SMS, IVR and mobile reference guides which covers the key gaps of the value chains and highlights the benefits of the promoted technologies
•   Develop the content architecture based on user centered design research, baseline survey and solutions workshop with stakeholders
•   Develop key themes and topics covering the 6 value chains, mapped out to specific cropping cycles and applicable for SMS, IVR and mobile reference guides
•   Provide support for development of key messages for radio and video
•   Provide a list of reference materials that can be used for content development in addition to materials from SSTP, Digital Green and Farm Radio

Deliverable 2: Excel table of key messages for each value chain that outlines that curriculum modules and channels through which messages should be delivered

Deadline: April 24, 2015

•   Develop key messages for each value chain by themes, topics and curriculum modules
•   Provide list of detailed content to Lead, Content and Services

Deliverable 3: Brief on recommendations on impact indicators and metrics to be included in the baseline and monitoring surveys

Deadline: January 23, 2015

•   Provide input in the design of the baseline survey and impact indicators by including questions and measurable metrics on promoted technologies & critical activities

Deliverable 4: Review content messaging per value chain for each delivery channel

Deadline: April 30, 2015

•   Review content developed by Lead, Content & Services, Digital Green and Farm Radio International
•   Ensure quality of agricultural content and messages for dissemination

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in addition to a cover letter:

•   Detailed Curriculum Vitae stating current and latest posts  (WITH DATES) as well as summary of job responsibilities.
•   Certifies photocopies of relevant certificates of highest academic qualification.
•   Names, e-mail addresses and  telephone numbers of three (3) Referees (work-related).
•   Applications should reach the following address: Rita Nikoi:  rnaadeinikoi@grameenfoundation.org
•   INDICATE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

Closing Date: 11 December, 2015