Winrock International is a non-profit organization that works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock International is currently recruiting for the position of full-time Nutrition Specialist in its Tamale office to support the five-year, USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Project (USAID AgNRM).

AgNRM seeks to provide a scalable, integrated landscapes approach to support sustainable economic development and rural livelihoods, improve nutritional outcomes, expand climate change related risk management options, and strengthen northern Ghana’s natural resource base. As part of this, AgNRM is supporting community-based natural resource management in the Black Volta Basin and in the Western and Eastern Biodiversity Corridors.

The project activities are being implemented within the Forestry Commission’s Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) framework under four project outcomes: 1) Increased Incomes from Natural Resource Products; 2) Improved Food and Nutritional Security; 3) Increased Farmer and Community Security/Access to Land and Natural Resources; and 4) Strengthened Environmental Stewardship.

Winrock International is seeking applicants for the position of Private Enterprise Development Officer as part of USAID-funded Feed the Future Ghana Agriculture and Natural Resources Management project.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

• LOCATION: Several positions – Bolgatanga, Sandema, and Wa, Ghana
• UNIT: Forestry and Natural Resource Management Group
• POSITION TITLE: Private Enterprise Development Officer
• REPORTS TO: Value Chain Expert

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Private Enterprise Development Officer will work with the Value Chain Expert, technical staff, field teams, and partners to identify, develop and/or strengthen Natural Resource Product (NRP) and agriculture product value chains.
• Group viability in the promotion of specific value chains will be enhanced through effective business planning and implementation, improved financial access and linkages to equitable markets. This will be underpinned by a well-defined mentorship program.

INCLUDED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take a lead in identifying, cultivating, and developing livelihood options and enterprise opportunities in AgNRM supported communities;
• Assist the Outcome 1 Lead in the validation and selection of enterprises and business groups;
• Provide leadership in the review and evaluation of the business plans of proposed and established/functioning enterprise units;
• Ensure viability and sustainability of the proposed enterprises;
• Assist in the identification and assessment of existing technology(ies) that could be adapted by specific enterprise(s);
• Assist in the identification of technology or equipment specifications appropriate for such enterprise(s);
• Ensure compliance of enterprises with food safety standards and other conditions necessary to maintain specific certifications (e.g. organic certifications) ;
• Prepare and/or streamline and present training programs as part of an integrated enterprise development process, or as and when required;
• Identify appropriate external training service providers and manage intervention and key outputs;
• Assist businesses with preparation of all required material (planning, day to day functioning or reporting), and ensure all required materials are produced in required formats with required timelines;
• Meet regularly (monthly) with each business to assess progress towards objectives;
• Effectively link and integrate activities with the other AgNRM components, including agriculture, value chain activities, natural resource management and improving CREMA governance capacities.
• Liaise with Communications Team to develop a variety of communications materials and knowledge resources to provide up-to-date success stories and evidence of program results and impacts;
• Provide bi-weekly and quarterly report inputs, and participate in annual reporting and planning processes;
• Performs other duties that may be required from time to time as may be directed by the Outcome One (1) Lead and/ the AgNRM management;
• Reports to the Lead for Outcome 1 on the AgNRM project.

SALARY & BENEFITS

• The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Excellent benefits include life, disability, and medical insurance, retirement, and other normal Winrock benefits.

Qualification Required & Experience

Education

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in business administration, agriculture economics, development studies, or relevant financial field.

Work Experience

• Minimum three years of relevant experience designing and managing community development activities.
• Experience in MSME business planning, development and utilization of simple business management tools.
• Experience in managing and mentoring formal and informal business groups/ enterprises.
• Extensive experience in markets and/or rural development, and access to finance.
• Experience organizing and managing community forums, such as trainings, workshops, and meetings.
• Demonstrated and proven record to work in a multidisciplinary team under changeable and complex circumstances.
• Previous work experience and knowledge of USAID or other donor projects.

Skills

• Excellent data collection, collation and reporting skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in at least one of the local languages spoken in AgNRM’s Zone of Influence: Wale, Kasem, Buli, Mampruli, Frafra, Kusaal, or Talene.
• Computer literacy, specifically in Microsoft Word and Excel, is required.

Location: Bolgatanga, Sandema, and Wa

How To Apply For The Job

All interested candidates shall submit their applications (maximum 5 pages including resume, two references and one-page cover letter) in English to:

Ghana.Recruitment@winrock.org indicating “Private Enterprise Development Officer” in the subject line.

Closing Date: 16 March, 2018

Qualified applicants will be invited for an in-person interview.

Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted. EEOE/AA.