Solidaridad West Africa is a Ghana-based, not-for-profit organization that supports the sustainable development of farmers and production systems in West Africa, through the enhancement of value chains of fresh and processed agricultural commodities.

Our activities are focused on the fresh fruit, oil palm, cotton and cocoa sectors. As the West African representative within Solidaridad’s international network (www.solidaridad.nl), we are part of a growing global movement advocating and supporting sustainable and responsible production and trade.

Solidaridad trains farmers in farming practices to produce more with less, provide capacity building to producer organizations and enable them to access knowledge, inputs, finance and markets.

We develop certification and roundtable initiatives for sustainable production and assist producers and companies to comply with these standards.

Description Of Job

Solidaridad West Africa is growing fast and has offices in Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

For the regional office, based in Ghana, we are looking for a:

•  Position: Managing Director
•  Location: Accra, Ghana
•  Reports to: Solidaridad Network Executive Director

Role description
The Managing Director has the overall responsibility for the Solidaridad program in West Africa, he/she will represent Solidaridad in existing and new to be developed networks and promotes collaboration with key partners in the region. The incumbent will be leading the development of new programs and is responsible for fundraising.

The post will be based in the Accra Office, Ghana, but the employee should expect to travel in Ghana and abroad.

Main responsibilities

•  Support the further development and management of existing programs in cocoa, oil palm, gold, soy and cotton;
•  Continuous development of new programs by surveying the local and regional environment in search for potential innovative initiatives
•  Liaison with partner organizations, participating in working committees and conferences in the region to remain abreast with developing initiatives, build the profile of the organization and identify potential funding sources
•  Develop program and fundraising proposals for donors and private sector partners
•  Financial governance and responsible for financial reporting towards Solidaridad Network, donors and private sector partners
•  Responsible for project administration and the effective implementation of the project cycle
•  Human resource management, responsible for the hire and fire of core staff and project personnel
•  Develop the capacity of the management team and coach management team members in their development;
•  The director is a member of the Executive board of Solidaridad Network Foundation which operates internationally in 9 regions.

Qualification Required & Experience

•  A minimum of a relevant Masters degree (e.g. in economics, development studies, agriculture etc).
•  At least 10 years working experience in the development of sustainable production chains and rural livelihoods and/or community development in West Africa
•  At least 5 years of experience in managing professionals in multi-cultural teams
•  A broad network with NGOs, government authorities and trading companies in West Africa
•  Proven ability to obtain financing from public and private donors
•  Excellent oral and writing skills in English and French
•  Good facilitation and presentation skills
•  Pro-active nature with the patience to pay attention to detail.

How To Apply For The Job

if you are interested in this position and meet the above criteria, please submit a letter of motivation and your Curriculum Vitae of not more than 3 pages to the Solidaridad Network:

info@solidaridad.nl

Closing Date:  20 September, 2012

Interviews will take place on the 8th of October 2012 in Accra, Ghana

PLEASE INDICATE CLEARLY IN THE SUBJECT LINE THAT YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE MANAGING DIRECTOR POSITION.