The  Government of the Republic of Ghana has applied for funds from the International Fund a for Agricultural Develepment (IFAD) to implement the Ghana  Agricutural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP). The Programme provides a framework for a long-term financing engagement for private sector-led, pro-poor agricultural value chain development in Ghana. The objective of the programme is to contribute to sustamable poverty reduction in rural Ghana, ensuring that agribusinesses - including smallholders - increase their profitability and resilience to climate change- The programme is national in scope and governed by a demand - and market-driven approach that will provide a basis for scaling up investments in pro-poor agricultural vaiue chain development led by the private sector. The strategic focus of GASIP will be on smallholder farmers, to make them more competitive by increasing their capacity to respond to market demand in terms of quality, price, time and volume thus contributing to METASIP objectives. At least 62T860 clients or direct beneficiaries will be targeted towards the end of project year 3 (PY3) and 86,400 clients by PY6, of which at least 50% will be women, 20% youth (15-24 years) and 30% young adults (25-34 years).

Job Summary

Component 1: Value Chain Development - is central to ensuring strong business linkages among actors in the entire value chains of commodities to ensure they meet market or consumer and industry demands. It has three sub-components: Agribusiness linkage development; rural financial services and climate change resilience which needs to be mainstreamed in promoting value chains to reduce risks and enhance profitability and justainable production systems.

Component 2: Rural Value Chain Infrastructure - aimed at providing the enabling infrastructure to catalyze value chain development, it has two sub-components: Productive infrastructure   and   Facilities aimed   at encouraging   investments   in   commercial infrastructure and facilities for the selected value chains and Enabling Public Infrastructure - aimed to finance enabling public infrastructure for the growth and viability of selected value chains.

Component 3: Knowledge Management, Policy Support and Coordination aimed at harnessing successful lessons for replication and providing an enabling environment for optimization of programme opportunities and benefits. The two sub-components are Knowledge Management, Harmonization and Policy Support- aims at creating an enabling environment for smallholders to participate in profitable and climate change resilient agricultural value chains and Coordination, Monitoring and Evaluation of the Programme.

The Programme which is planned for six years is expected to commence in January 2015 under the responsibility of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA). It builds on the achievements of some on-going and soon-to-complete projects such as Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) and Root and Tuber improvement and Marketing Programme (RTIMP). GASIP will have a National Programme Coordination Unit in Accra and three Zonal Programme Offices (ZPO) in Kumasi, Tamale and Dodowa. The NPCU shall be composed of (i) National Programme Coordinator, (ii) a Policy and M&E Manager, (iii) a Financial Manager, (iv) Procurement and Contract Manager, (v) a Climate Change Adaptation Manager, (vi) an Infrastructure Manager, and other professional and support staff.

The Programme Infrastructure Manager (PIM) will be responsible for overall management of the infrastructure investment related activities under the Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities shall include:

•   In collaboration staff in Programme Coordination Unit and in consultation with Zonal Programme Offices (ZPOs) and Regional stakeholders, update the PIM to include relevant infrastructure investments,
•   Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders in the identification and design of infrastructure investments
•   Review and assess proposals for infrastructure works with regard to their technical feasibility and preliminary cost estimation
•   Develop and review ToRs, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), technical specifications and tender packages for civil works for selected infrastructure investments;
•   Participate in the selection of Consultants, Contractors and Site Supervisors for civil works related services;
•   Supervise the  implementation of civil works and  coordinate activities of Site Supervisors in accordance with agreed procedures;
•   Provide training and support for infrastructure Operation and Management to local technicians and operators as required,
•   Provide technical advice to the NPC on the performance of contracted designers and individual technical consultants,
•   Undertake  any  other   responsibility  that  will  ensure  smooth   and   effective implementation of the Programme.

Line Management: Reports to the National Programme Coordinator (NPC), and works closely with the Zonal Programme Offices

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering qualification with seven (7) years post-qualification experience.
•   Possesses sound knowledge of contemporary issues in Ghana's rural infrastructure, especially irrigation and feeder road development and warehouses.
•   A minimum of 7 years working experience with projects on commercially relevant rural infrastructure investment including design, construction and supervision.
•   Expertise   in   engineering   design   requirements   and   construction   supervision procedures of Ghana, as well as with the procurement procedures applicable under the legislation.
•   Member of a professional body acceptable in Ghana.
•   Possess pragmatic, creative and energetic approach to problem solving and decision-making.
•   Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and with the rural population.
•   Capacity to operate effectively with contractors and stakeholders in the population.
•   Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven ability to engage multiple partners and stakeholders (essential)
•   Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook (essential).
•   Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity of others.
•   Capacity to produce coherent and persuasive documents.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Qualified and interested applicants should send application letters with copies of curriculum vitae, certificates and other relevant documentation to:

The Chief Director
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
PO Box M 37, Accra, Ghana

For further information please contact:

chiefdir@mofa.gov.gh
Tel: +233-0302-660935

MINISTRY OFFOOD AND AGRICULTURE (MOFA)
PO BOX MB.37, ACCRA

Applicants are to include direct contacts (reliable telephone, fax numbers and email address) in their applications in order to facilitate early and easy contact.

Closing Date: 22 August, 2014