The USAID West Africa Fertilizer Program (WAFP) has vacancies for a number of positions in Ghana, Mali, Liberia and Senegal. WAFP is a USAID program implemented by IFDC in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Africa Fertilizer Agribusiness Partnership (AFAP).

The program’s strategic objective is “increased regional availability and use of appropriate and affordable fertilizer” in the West African region. It is a five-year program that is implemented in partnership with fertilizer industry partners, international NGOs, government partners, and development partners in the West African region.

Position Summary
Leads program activities focused on improving the availability of fertilizer market information (statistics, prices, volume, market intelligence etc.) to stakeholders along the supply chain for evidence-based decision making. Works closely with similar initiatives including RESIMAO strongly supported by ECOWAS, and the IFDC-sponsored AfricaFertilizer.org (AFO) and its partners (FAO, AU NEPAD, IFA). Also leads the deployment and implementation of ICT applications and platforms that use web and cell phone platforms to map and profile fertilizer stakeholders, production and blending capacities, ensure business communications among actors and track fertilizer subsidy distribution and compliance of fertilizer regulations in the region. Works in part under the technical guidance of the IFDC Snr. Market Information Specialist. Functions as the MIS/ICT Applications intervention area leader.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

•   Monitors and publishes monthly and quarterly international and local fertilizer prices in conjunction with West African Network of Market Information Systems (RESIMAO) and the Africafertilizer.Org project.
•   Monitors and tracks the volume of fertilizer sold in each of the 15 ECOWAS countries
•   Facilitates the mapping and profiling of fertilizer production, granulation, blending, bagging and warehousing facilities, capacities and various stakeholders in West Africa.
•   Monitors and publishes annual and periodic fertilizer statistics (production, imports, exports, consumption, fertilizer use by crop and subsidized prices) and market intelligence.
•   Conducts periodic feedback on the usage of relevant fertilizer market and technical information by project stakeholders and beneficiaries.
•   Provides technical assistance, applications development, deployment as well as field-based assistance, across the fertilizer supply chain using ICT (web and cell phone) tools.
•   Liaises with third-party technical service providers contracted to deliver ICT applications to WAFP beneficiaries and provide the appropriate technical back-stopping.
•   Works with the Communications specialist to produce periodic newsletters that include project success stories, fertilizer-related ICT usage and best practices, prices and market intelligence.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Education: A Master’s degree in computer science, business studies, finance, agricultural economics, soil science, agronomy, agricultural extension, environmental science or development studies.
•   Prior Work Experience: At least 3-5 years working experience on a donor funded program in the areas of ICT for agriculture, Market Information Systems, food security and/or economic development. Demonstrable ability and experience in the supervision, deployment and implementation of agricultural value chain driven ICT systems.
•   Demonstrable ability to process, analyze, package and disseminate relevant market information and data. Experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation of project activities on set targets and indicators
•   Language Proficiency: Fluency speaking and writing in English and ability to speak, write and read French to an acceptable level.
•   Skills and abilities: Ability to interact effectively with a broad range of stakeholders. Additional experience in the extensive use of Microsoft Office suite, conducting and organizing trainings on use of ICT systems, good presentation skills, good report writing and training manual development skills.

Conditions

•   This position is a one-year term contract, renewable up to three additional years until 2017, based on staff performance and availability of funding. Salary level is dependent on level of experience.
•   This position will be based in Accra, Ghana with no expat benefits or relocation package.
•   Estimated start date is June 1, 2014.
•   Nationals from West African nations who have work experience and permit in Ghana are strongly encouraged to apply.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested and eligible candidates are requested to apply by e-mail to:

ekeli-delataa@ifdc.org  OR  lbello@ifdc.org

providing a cover letter, current CV, names and contacts of three referees

Closing Date: 30 April, 2014

•   In the e-mail subject line please write: MIS/ICT Applications Specialist
•   Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis to select a successful candidate. No phone calls please.
•   Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.