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, Mamprugu Moaduri and Builsa South 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.

•   JOB TITLE: Project Assistant
•   UNIT: SADA Millennium Villages Project
•   LOCATION: Northern Ghana

Responsibilities/Duties

Reporting to the Finance and Administration Manager, the Project Assistant will:

•   Maintain the Project Secretariat
•   Receive incoming and outgoing calls
•   Greet visitors and determine whether they should be given access to specific individuals.
•   Prepare responses to correspondence containing routine inquiries.
•   Arrange appointments and maintain supervisor’s calendar; receive, screen and place visitors/calls and answer queries with discretion.
•   Act as first point of contact for the Millennium Villages Project at the secretariat
•   Assist Cluster Manager and other managers to organize meetings, roundtables, thematic group meetings and evaluations, as well as arrange both internal and external meetings relating to project implementation.
•   Record minutes of all project meetings and prepare draft reports for the Cluster Manager.
•   Maintain and continuously update an inventory of all relevant contact persons and stakeholders, including GoG, and UNDP officials, Development Partners and Consultants for the purpose of ensuring regular contact /liaison between the project and stakeholders
•   Establish filing system for the Project and co-ordinate the disposal of all un–needed documents and records
•   Receive, screen, log and route correspondence and ensure follow-up
•   Assist in the collection, collation and analysis of data and reports provided by institutions supported by the Project.
•   Support all staff in assigned project based work, help in editing and translating into English.

Qualification Required & Experience

Education

•   A minimum of undergraduate degree in Management,Administration,or Office Management or other relevant qualifications
•   Secretarial studies will be an added advantage

Work Experience

•   At least 3 years progressively responsible administrative work experience or in other related field preferably in a large international setting.
•   Good computer skills, including MS word, Excel and spreadsheets.
•   Fluency in English.

Key Competencies         

•   Ability to work with minimal supervision in a complex environment.
•   Ability to work systematically, accurately, independently and under pressure.
•   Ability to draft clear and concise communications and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
•   Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
•   Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
•   Excellent writing and analytical skills.
•   Teamwork ability to establish good working relations with colleagues and stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
•   Ability to maintain pleasant stature and respond to queries diplomatically on the phone and to visitors at the office.
•   Ability to perform detailed work and to have high sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.

Location: Bolgatanga

How To Apply For The Job

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.

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: SADA.MVP@millenniumpromise.org with copy to employment@mdgwca.org and Jacob.ubindam@millenniumpromise.org

Closing Date: 4 September, 2014

•   “Application for "SADA MVP Project Assistant” should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.
•   Applications will be considered until September 4, 2014
•   Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

www.millenniumvillages.org

www.millenniumpromise.org

www.unmillenniumproject.org

www.mdgcentre.org