Technical and Operational Managers, Ghana

Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. ACDI/VOCA currently has 79 projects in 39 countries and revenues of $168 million. We are seeking Technical Specialists and Operations Managers for an anticipated multiyear agribusiness and agricultural finance development project in Ghana. The project aims to identify and develop socially inclusive agriculture-related finance and investment. The project is expected to mitigate perceived and actual risks to agricultural lending and increase the availability of finance for agriculture-related investments. Initial targeted value chains will include rice, maize and soya in support of the USAID Feed the Future initiative.

The project will be based in Accra and Tamale and will require frequent local travel. These positions are contingent on ACDI/VOCA being awarded the project. Please note that all positions require excellent written and spoken English. Prior experience working with international NGOs and companies on donor-funded projects, specifically USAID Feed the Future projects, and a working knowledge of local languages are preferred.

TECHNICAL SPECIALIST POSITIONS

Agribusiness Specialists

• Provide technical assistance to agricultural enterprises and farmers to develop their business strategies and create well-managed, financially sustainable operations.
• Support creation of viable business plans and investment proposals, generating a pipeline of potential investment opportunities.
• Assist agribusinesses in expanding their knowledge of finance and management; link firms with appropriate business development services and financial resources.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in agronomy, agricultural economics, agribusiness, business management, or other related field is preferred (University degree in related field required).
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience in agribusiness development required.
• At least five (5) years of experience in the agribusiness sector in Ghana or West Africa preferred.
• Familiarity with Ghanaian agricultural markets required (experience with maize, rice and soya value chains in Ghana preferred). 

Agricultural Finance Specialists

• Work with financial intermediaries—including commercial banks, investment firms, microfinance institutions (MFIs), rural banks, insurance providers and finance-providing agricultural firms—to expand their capacity to undertake agriculture related investment.
• Support product development and strengthen linkages between agribusinesses and financial service providers, and increase the availability of finance for agriculture-related investments.
• Design and support activities that strengthen financial institutions’ ability to mitigate perceived and actual risks inherent to agricultural lending and identify strong, creditworthy borrowers.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in finance, business administration, agricultural economics, or other related field preferred (University degree in related field required).
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible work experience in banking and finance required.
• At least five (5) years of experience in the financial sector in Ghana or West Africa preferred.
• Familiarity with Ghanaian financial markets and agricultural finance required (experience with maize, rice and soya value chains in Ghana preferred).

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

• Lead all M&E activities for the project, working closely with the FinGAP audit and impact assessment teams to complete intensive M&E of partner financial intermediaries and agribusinesses.
• Lead operational decision making and manage program components dealing with M&E including overseeing data collection, PMP and results reporting to meet USAID Feed the Future requirements.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in statistics, sociology, or related field preferred (University degree in related field required).
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience designing, implementing and managing M&E systems for international development projects required.
• At least three (3) years of experience working on finance-related projects required.
• Strong background and skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis required.

Information Communications Technology (ICT) Specialist

• Provide technical leadership and implementation oversight for all of FinGAP’s ICT interventions.
• Facilitate the use and integration of multiple project hardware and software technologies, building the technology capacity of FinGAP project staff and working with project staff to identify and implement high-impact ICT interventions to increase overall project outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in information technology, computer science or related field preferred (University degree in related field required).
• At least six (6) years of experience working in ICT in Africa required, ICT work in relevant agricultural and financial sectors highly preferred.
• Experience with the application of electronic, digital, mobile phone as well as other mass media technologies to disseminate information to rural populations.

Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist

• Manage all communication efforts for the project, including the creation of a communications strategy and any requisite advocacy work.
• Develop and implement an information strategy that promotes the project activities to both internal (ACDI/VOCA and donor) and external audiences.
• Develop and maintain all public information documents, including public relations materials and dissemination of project information, reports, success stories and other communication materials to the project's various audiences and constituencies.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred (University degree in related field required).
• At least four (4) years of experience managing communications and media for similar programs.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, particularly in the formatting and editing of documents in English.
• Excellent computer skills (MS Word and Outlook, MS Access, MS Project).

Gender Specialist

• Lead all gender activities and closely collaborate with all other partners involved.
• Support ACDI/VOCA and its partners to build upon existing efforts to reduce women and girls’ vulnerability to gender-based violence and improve access to relevant services.
• Prepare and conduct trainings on gender topics for staff and beneficiaries.

Qualifications:

• University degree in sociology, gender studies, economics, agriculture economics or a related field required.
• At least five (5) years of work experience conducting gender analysis and gender integration programming, including on-the-ground participatory approaches to research.
• Demonstrated understanding of USAID Feed the Future, gender and value chain techniques and approaches, and experience with USAID-funded projects preferred.

OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS

Finance and Administration Manager

• Provide leadership, oversight and management to the project’s Finance/Accounting and Administrative staff.
• Ensure all project financial transactions are allowable, reasonable and allocable based on the established financial management policies of ACDI/VOCA, USAID and local regulations.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, support preparation of annual project budgets, and ensure all program ledgers and accounts records are up to date and accurately represented.

Qualifications:

• University degree in finance, accounting, commerce, or related field required (advanced degree preferred).
• At least five (5) years of experience with an international development organization in a relevant senior-level position working in financial management is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Ghanaian accounting standards and experience with accounting software such as QuickBooks required, knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles strongly preferred.

Procurement, Contracts and Grants Manager

• Oversee and manage all procurement, subcontracting and grant award processes.
• Proactively monitor all grant and subcontract activities to ensure compliance with ACDI/VOCA, USAID and local guidelines.
• Provide strong procurement, purchasing and compliance advice and support to the Finance and Administration Manager, project staff, and other appropriate management.

Qualifications:

• University degree in finance, accounting, commerce, or related field required (advanced degree preferred).
• At least five (5) years of experience with an international development organization directly managing a portfolio of subcontracts and grants required.
• Experience negotiating vendor contracts and/or managing vendor and sub-contract relationships required.

Listed Above

To be considered for this recruitment, please submit a resume to GhanaFinGAP@joinav.org by January 15, 2013. Please write the position for which you are applying in the email subject line. Resumes should list long-term employment history and any relevant short-term consulting work. In your resume, please provide sufficient detail about your specific contributions and responsibilities. No phone calls please. Only finalists contacted. No international benefits will be offered. Ghanaians are encouraged to apply. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.