The Millennium Villages Project, supported by Millennium Promise Alliance and the Earth Institute at Columbia University, is a bottom-up approach to lift developing country villages out of the poverty trap that afflicts more than a billion people worldwide. The Millennium Villages’ team of experts in Agriculture, Nutrition and Health, Economics, Energy, Water, Agribusiness, Environment and Information Technology are working with local communities and governments to apply a proven holistic package of interventions to help villages get out of extreme poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). With support from Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, a SADA Millennium Village has been established in parts of the West Mamprusi and Builsa Districts of the Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The project area covers a cluster of contiguous rural communities with an estimated population of 25,000 people.

Description Of Job

Job Summary
Purpose of the Position:
The Community mobilisation and institutions Coordinator is responsible for the establishment and general administration of the governance structure of the Millennium Village. He/She will work closely with community leaders, decentralised government departments, relevant institutions at the district and regional level and other team members to facilitate the effective implementation of the project and that sustainable relationships are attained. The incumbent should build strong relationships with the community members and other relevant institutions with a focus on impact, results and community ownership of all empowerment processes. The overall goal of the position is to assist the village in achieving the MDGs.

The Community Mobilization and institutions Coordinator will report directly to the Team leader.  As well, the incumbent will liaise with appropriate Millennium Village Regional specialists
Responsibilities/Duties:

•  Help the sector teams in their efforts to align MVP implementation with the decentralized government systems of Ghana.
•  Develop and build strong partnerships with partners at district and regional levels.
•  Working closely with the Team leader, build frameworks for collaborations with government, non-government and private sector partners.
•  Sensitization and mobilization of the community to participate in project activities.
•  Organize and facilitate appropriate training programs for the community and the committees.
•  The training of village-level governance, the proxy power, leadership and community mobilization;
•  Work with committees within the community (e.g. in the field of agriculture, primary health care, infrastructure), the planning and implementation of interventions to achieve the Millennium Development Goals;
•  Coordinate the training of villagers in the areas of health, infrastructure, business and community development;
•  Provide assistance to the Administrator Group in the daily operations of the village;
•  Act as liaison between the leadership of the group, community, local authorities and government institutions
•  Coordinate with the Team Leader to plan strategic communication messages and campaigns for behaviour change needed for success of key interventions in your sector
•  Provide the necessary technical support to Community based Committees so as to strengthen the overall performance of the project.
•  Identify together with the community the relevant interventions for the community and facilitate their full participation towards project ownership.
•  Carry out any other relevant duties that may be assigned by the Team leader and the Regional specialists.

Terms of offer:
MVP offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package. The employment contract is for a period of one year with the possibility of renewal. MVP prides itself on its collegial, supportive and gender sensitive working environment and believes that staff diversity promotes excellence. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualification Required & Experience

Qualifications/Requirements:

•  A bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences /Humanities or relevant field; with experience and/or training in both communication and community mobilisation
•  Ability to work closely with community leaders, the manager of the village, the Earth Institute Millennium Villages Scientists team and local officials and government;
•  Ability to work closely with rural communities on issues of community development and on the proxy power;
•  Practical experience in working with institutions
•  Skills in community mobilization and facilitation
•  Practical knowledge and application of community dynamics in an integrated community project
•  Experience working in an integrated community development project
•  Dissemination of knowledge
•  Proven problem solving and organisational skills, flexibility and calm under pressure
•  Computer literate
•  Fluency in local languages
•  Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
•  Must have excellent organizational skills, be self-motivated, be a team player and detail-oriented

How To Apply For The Job

Applications;
Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to: sadamvp@gmail.com with copies to employment@mdgwca.org and jacob.ubindam@millenniumpromise.org. "Application for SADA MVP Community Mobilization Coordinator” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.

Closing Date: 28 August, 2012

We invite you to learn more about us at:

www.millenniumvillages.org,
www.millenniumpromise.org,
www.unmillenniumproject.org,
www.mdgcentre.org