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 Food Security and Agronomy Specialist as part of USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resources Management project.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• LOCATION: Tamale, Ghana
• POSITION TITLE: Food Security and Agronomy Specialist
• STATUS: Full time
• REPORTS TO: Chief of Party

POSITION SUMMARY

The Food Security and Agronomy Specialist will play a leadership role on the USAID-funded Feed the Future Agriculture and Natural Resource Management project in Ghana. This project is a five-year program focused eight landscapes in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. The project will improve incomes and nutrition while holistically addressing the related challenges of the environment, agriculture, governance, and NRM.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, lead improved food and nutritional security activities focused on climate smart agriculture, agroforestry, soil and water management, and farm enterprise innovations for better nutrition and food security in eight targeted landscapes in the northern Ghana, and coordinate the activities with other project activities;
• Provide technical leadership and direction for all food security and nutrition activities tensure successful implementation, delivery, and program results, including the following:
o Facilitate climate smart and conservation agriculture techniques for increased yields
o Increase productivity of home gardens tdiversify diets
o Demonstrate improved agroforestry systems
o Improve farm- and community-level soil and water resource management
o Encourage farm enterprise innovations
o Promote village-level access tcredit
• Ensure food security and nutrition activities are well-designed by taking an active role in project work planning, task management, and the implementation of these activities;
• Assess opportunities for collaboration with private sector entities in relevant agricultural value chains.
• Play a lead role coordinating with identified local groups, communities, government, and private sector partners on agricultural innovations in line with the above;
• Manage a field team of five tten staff for the successful implementation of all activities related timproved food and nutritional security;
• Supervise site-level implementation of project food security activities, which will require local travel;
• Provide writing and data inputs tproject reports on a regular basis;
• Anticipate challenges in project implementation, identify solutions, and communicate and resolve challenges with the team, keeping senior management informed;
• Other duties as assigned.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits include life, disability, and private medical insurance

Qualification Required & Experience

Education

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business or related fields.

Work Experience

• Minimum seven years of professional experience in food security and agronomic approaches in the agricultural and natural resources sectors, including agriculture research, livestock experience, and extension/education experience.
• Experience in M&E in agriculture/food security projects.
• Experience facilitating relationships between private sector and government.

Skills

• Strong skills in strategic planning and technical knowledge of food security in northern Ghana. Ability to work well within a team and take responsibility to deliver results. Excel at fostering private sector partnerships to strengthen agronomic systems of rural communities.

Other:

• Fluency in English and strong written English is required. Willingness to relocate to Tamale, Ghana.

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 “Food Security and Agronomy 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.