These positions are open to Ghana nationals only.

A local NGO is currently recruiting for the position of Regional Coordinator (2 positions) for a new project in northern Ghana. One position will be based at the organization’s regional office in Wa, Upper West Region, while the second position will be based at the regional office in Bolgatanga, Upper East Region.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The ultimate outcome of this 6-year project is to enhance food security and resilience for poor male and female smallholder farmers (35% male/65% female) and their households in the three northern regions. This ultimate outcome is to be achieved through increased, diversified and more equitable agricultural production; and increased, diversified and more equitable incomes and assets.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Regional Coordinator is directly answerable to the Project Director (based at the project’s head office in Tamale).

He/she is responsible for leading and coordinating project staff working out of the regional office, including crop officers, livestock officers, marketing and income generating activities officers, a monitoring and evaluation officer, a gender officer, an office administrator and an accounts officer, to ensure that field activities are implemented in a timely manner, in accordance with the project’s annual work plan and project implementation plan.

The regional coordinator will work in close collaboration with project specialists based in the project office in Tamale (including climate change adaptation/environment, monitoring and evaluation, gender equality, crops, livestock, marketing and income generating activities specialists) to ensure a holistic approach is used within the project.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

Scope of work

• Ensure smooth functioning of the regional office;
• Network with other stakeholders to promote the success of the project. Develop and maintain good working relationship with relevant Ministries/Departments and agricultural research organizations in the region;
• Assist in the capacity building of implementing partners, project beneficiaries and staff of the regional office.
• Assist project beneficiaries to improve agricultural output, achieve food security and reduce rural poverty.
• Facilitate the effective implementation of the project’s Gender Equality Strategy.

Specific tasks

• Ensure annual, quarterly and monthly project planning with staff based at the regional office and partner implementing organizations.
• Arrange logistics, transport etc. for field activity implementation of the project.
• Schedule and facilitate capacity building workshops with stakeholders and staff.
• Arrange logistics for training activities.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation of project activities, including baseline data collection, under the leadership of the project’s Tamale-based M&E Specialist.
• Provide timely, high quality, regular reports on activities undertaken by the regional office, reporting on progress (actual versus planned), and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop annual work plans & budgets for the regional office, in conjunction with senior project staff.
• Ensure the efficient use of project resources.
• Document, in collaboration with the organization’s Documentation and Publication Unit, information on the project activities and results and lessons learned.
• Supervise and appraise staff based at the regional office.
• Coordinate and facilitate field visits by Tamale-based project staff and donor staff.
• Engage in regular email correspondence, Skype, etc. to update, share progress and discuss issues of prime importance with senior project staff based in Tamale.
• Ensure efficient /effective budget implementation and utilization of regional field office funds.
• Support/ undertake prudent budget tracking and monitoring of project funds’ utilization by staff.
• Coordinate / undertake regular financial reporting on project to the project director.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Agriculture, Development Studies, Community/Rural Development or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years working experience.
• Experience in building capacity of staff and project beneficiaries, in both formal and informal settings.
• Experience working on agricultural and/or environmental projects considered an asset.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong leadership skills, facilitation skills, interpersonal skills with colleagues and project beneficiaries.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in teams with colleagues.
• Ability to manage several activities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of gender equality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of other languages commonly spoken in the region of posting an asset.
• Basic computer skills (word-processing, presentations, spread-sheets).
• Willingness to travel in the region.

Location: Wa And Bolgatanga

How To Apply For The Job

Suitably qualified persons are invited to submit their cover letter detailing how their work experience and academic/professional qualifications meet the requirements described above, CV, and 3 professional references no later than February 8th, 2013 via e-mail to:

jobsapplications@yahoo.com

Closing Date: 08 February 2013

Please indicate in the subject line of the email which position is being applied for.

The principles of employment equity are adhered to. Suitably qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.While all applicants are thanked for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.