Project Description:
With funding provided by the World Bank, the Government of Ghana (GOG), through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) is implementing the Ghana Social Opportunities Project (SOP). The overall goal of the project is to support Ghana's Social Protection Strategy in forty (40) targeted District Assemblies across the country (majority of which are in the three northern regions) through; (i) developing a labour intensive public works program as a rural safety net instrument to increase cash income for the rural poor during Agricultural off-season; and (ii) supporting the Governments Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.

The project has five main components namely:
(i) Rationalization of National Social Protection Strategy (ii) Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPWs); (iii) Support to the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Program; (iv) Capacity Building; and (v) Project Management and Coordination.

Project Implementation Arrangements:
The project is managed at policy and technical co-coordinating level by a National Project Steering Committee (NPSC). At the implementation level, co-ordination is the responsibility of the National Co-ordination Office (NCO), with its head office in Accra and five (5) Regional Coordination Offices (RCOs) in Tamale, Bolgatanga, Wa, Kumasi, and Accra responsible for defined geographical areas. Sub-project implementation, however, is the responsibility of District Assemblies and their lower structures with timely and efficient back-stopping provided by the RCOs staff and relevant line ministries/agencies.

A Suitably Qualified Ghanaian National is needed to occupy the position of: Regional Capacity Building Specialist.

Terms of Reference:
As a member of the Regional Project Team, the Capacity Building Specialist will play a key role in the implementation of the various components supported by the project at the Regional, District and Sub-district levels.

The Regional Capacity Building Specialist will report directly to the Regional Co-ordinator and shall be directly responsible for the following:

•  Supporting the RCOs on matters relating to Capacity Building and Monitoring and Evaluation as regards the implementation of the GSOP
•  Advising the Regional Co-ordinator on mattes relating to Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building and Monitoring and Evaluation as regards the GSOP
•  Co-ordinating the assessment, design, and programming of capacity building activities required to support the Districts to plan, implement , operate and maintain all facilities and initiates under the project
•  Providing leadership and guidance in the execution of all training programmes within the Regional Co-ordinating Office
•  Ensuring a strong and sustained Information Education Communication (IEC) on the project throughout its entire duration
•  Assisting the RCOs and DAs in the review, pre-qualifications and recruitment of supporting agencies such as Community Facilitators and other NGOs, Consultants etc
•  Taking up Monitoring and Evaluation and Management Information System responsibilities within the RCO such:
a) Ensuring that appropriate monitoring and evaluation procedures are established;
b) Co-ordinating the monitoring and evaluation of performance of supporting agencies such as NGOs and Consultants in close collaboration with the Regional Planning and Coordinating Units
c) Ensuring up to date project planning, implementation and collation of outcome data at the community, district and regional levels;
d) Collation and preparation of all Progress/Status Reports on the project and documenting project implementation processes, procedures, achievements, challenges, lessons and outcomes/results; and
e) Facilitating the design and conduct of socio-economic studies within his/her operational area
•  Carrying out any other duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Regional Co-ordinator

Qualification Required & Experience

Key Qualification:

•  At least First degree in Social Sciences or any relevant field; a higher degree may be an advantage
•  Ten (10) years post qualification experience, 5 of which must have been in similar position with same job description

Key Competencies:
The applicant must:

•  Have proven management, administrative and communication skills
•  Possess good interpersonal relationship skills. Ability to understand and work with various rural institutions such as Project Beneficiaries, NGOs/CBOs, Farmer Groups, District Assemblies etc
•  Have considerable experience in planning, design and execution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign/Programmes
•  Have appreciable knowledge of Ghana's Decentralization system and proven ability in working with the structures
•  Have extensive experience in the use of modern concepts in rural development such as Community Driven Development (CDD) approaches, PRA/PLA etc
•  Have experience in the design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and management information systems
•  Exhibit knowledge of Ghana's Social Protection Strategy
•  Be experienced in the implementation of donor funded projects
•  Be computer literate (MS Word, Excel and Powerpoint)
•  Be prepared to travel extensively on regular basis

Knowledge and experience in engendering participation, urgency, efficiency, transparency, accountability and ownership in local governance and community driven development will be an advantage

How To Apply For The Job

All interested individuals are requested to submit typewritten letters and curriculum vitae (CV) for the position described above.

Letters of interest clearly marked: "GHANA SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT - BRCO PERSONNEL" should be received by the close of work on or before Friday, 10th August, 2012 and addressed to:

The Chief Director
Ministry Of Local Government And Rural Development
P.O. Box M.50
Accra

Closing Date: 10th August, 2012

ATTN: THE NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR (GSOP)

Interested candidates outside the country can send their applications to:

The National Co-ordinator (GSOP) through E-mail: kofibedu@yahoo.com