SEND - GHANA is the oldest of the three affiliate national NGOs (i.e. SEND-Liberia and SEND Sierra Leone) establishedby the Social Enterprise Development of Foundation of West Africa ( SEND West Africa). SEND West Africa was founded in Ghana in August, 1998 to promote livelihood security, equality of women and men and accountable and transparent governance. The target groups of SEND’s programs are mostly women, youth and farmers in conflict prone , resource poor and difficult to reach communities in each country.

Job Summary

SEND-Ghana in partnership with the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Credit Unions Association of Ghana (CUA Gh Ltd) is commencing the implementation of a 5- year Food Security through Co-operatives in Northern Ghana (FOSTERING) Project. The goal of the project is to increase sustainable, gender equitable food security for over 42,000 women and men in eight districts in the Eastern Corridor of Northern Ghana (East-Gonja, Kpandai, Nanumba South, Nanumba North, Krachi-Nchumuru, Zabzugu, Tatale-Sangule and Chereponi). The project tackles directly four key areas of improving food security and sustainable economic growth for small-holder farmers: improving production; better marketing of products; expansion of household activities into off-season businesses; and access to finance.

Objectives of Position: To ensure the effective dissemination, implementation and adoption of good environmentally friendly agronomic and animal husbandry practices to members of the family-based farmers’ co-operatives to enhance farmers’ knowledge about crop and husbandry techniques to increase productivity.

Duties, Roles and Responsibilities

•   To work with the Agriculture and Climate Change Officer to identify training needs of farmers and Community Volunteer Extension Agents (CvEAs)
•   To work closely with the Agriculture and Climate Change Officer, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) Agriculture Extension Agents (AEAs) and Community Volunteer Extension Agents (CvEAs) to design and implement appropriate agriculture and climate change adaptation techniques for farmers
•   Work with co-operative leaders to identify, select, train and monitor the work of the CvEAs in communities
•   Work closely with MoFA AEAs assigned to the various communities in the delivery of agriculture extension services
•   Work with family-based farmers’ co-operatives and CvEAs in the establishment of demonstrations farms for farm trials on  new agronomic techniques
•   Develop the capacity of farmers to adopt and implement better practices through exposure to new knowledge, information, skills, inputs and processes to improve the long term performance of their farm businesses;
•   Encourage farmers to adopt better practices through exposure to new knowledge, information, skills, inputs and processes to improve the long term performance of their farm businesses;
•   Work with CvEAs and Co-operative Development Officers in communities to provide technical services for farmers in key parts of value chains where it is more effective and efficient (e.g. for integrated pest and disease management, climate change adaptation techniques, improved data management, veterinary services);
•   Establish strong research linkages and improved access to better practice from Ghana and overseas to ensure a continued flow of new knowledge and innovation, across a range of technical, management and market disciplines, through formal and informal relationships;
•   Work with the Agriculture and Climate Change Officer to generate public awareness on important agricultural issues (especially the advantages of local production, quality, climate change and safety), as well as to communicate all aspects of the FOSTERING Project to a wide range of stakeholders
•   Plan, budget, implement, monitor and report on activities related to agriculture extension services delivery in project communities
•   Any other duties you will be assigned

Qualification Required & Experience

•   BA/BSc in Agriculture or related science, Geography, Rural Development, Development Studies
•   Experience in crop and animal production

Required Skills

•   Strong communication, presentation and liaison and interpersonal skills
•   Tactfulness
•   Keen interest and knowledge of farming and environmental issues
•   Knowledge of, and experience in, the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP);
•   Experience in working within a multi-layered organizational structure operating out of several dispersed offices;
•   An open, flexible and innovative working style;
•   Ability to take initiative and work without constant supervision;
•   Willingness to ride a motorbike
•   Must be gender sensitive

Location: Wulensi Nanumba North Distric

How To Apply For The Job

The following position is required to join the current team in the implementation of the project. Interested persons with the required skills and experience are welcome to apply.

Interested applicants should send the following in addition to a cover letter to:-

Lydia@sendwestafrica.org

•   Detailed curriculum vitae
•   Contacts of three  relevant referees

Or

The Director
Livelihoods and Food Security Development
SEND-Ghana
P.O. Box TL 341
Tamale

Closing Date: 30 June, 2015

Women are especially encouraged to apply