World Cocoa Foundation: Program Manager

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) is a non-profit organization promoting social and economic development as well as environmental stewardship in cocoa-growing communities of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Americas. WCF manages the Cocoa Livelihoods Program, which works with 200,000 cocoa farmers in Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria through the implementation of multiple activities by five in-country technical partners. The primary objective of the program is to increase the income for cocoa-growing house-holds www.worldcocoafoundation.org

Job Description

WCF seeks a (Bilingual) Cocoa Livelihoods Program Manager to assist the Program Director in the management and leadership of the WCF Cocoa Livelihoods Program. This is an agricultural development program implemented across five West and Central African Countries. Major activity areas include farmer training on production and quality, professionalizing farmer organizations and improving farmer access to services. The Program Manager will report to the Accra based Program Director and hold regular communications with the WCF headquarters in Washington, DC.

Support Program Director in the management of the Program Unit (Program Coordinator and M&E Team)
Supervise the administrative and logistics management of the Accra-based office
Ensure that implementing partners are achieving project activities and milestones
Frequent travel within West/Central Africa as required
Prepare budgets, financial updates, and supervise the preparation of progress reports on monthly and quarterly basis as required in the project plan
Oversee monitoring and evaluation activities with implementing partners and government offices
Liaise with multiple program partners (including industry members, technical partners and government agencies) across five West and Central African Countries
Work with implementing partners and M&E Team to develop strategies for increasing women’s participation in the program and coordinate gender consultant’s role and progress
Miscellaneous duties, as requested by Program Steering Committee and WCF Management
This position is a three-year term consultant contract. Salary level is dependent on level of experience. This position will be based in Accra, Ghana with no expat benefits or relocation package. Program support will be provided from a Program Coordinator based in Washington, DC and members of the M&E Team based in Accra, Ghana.

Estimated start date: March 2011. Nationals from West African nations are strongly encouraged to apply

Required Skills or Experience

Candidates must posses proven leadership, regional program management experience and fluent oral and written language skill levels in both English and French; both languages will be utilized on a daily basis
Seven or more years experience managing and implementing agriculture/agribusiness development projects or programs
At least three year experience managing and implementing regional projects or programs
Significant work experience in west Africa (experience in Cameroon, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria preferred)
Track record of coordinating private foundation or government funded regional-level projects and programs and experience in developing and maintaining partnerships across stakeholder groups at country and regional levels (including private sector, government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutes, and donor agencies, etc)
Strong project management background where strong organizational skills and attention to detail were required
Diversified experience working with private sector, government, non-governmental organizations, academic institutes and donor environments
Self-starter, ability to work in fast-paced, international work environmental with minimal support infrastructure
Graduate degree in agriculture, business, development or other related field
Understanding of commodity chains, particularly tree crops, desirable
Bilingual Language Requirements:
French and English fluency required; knowledge of local languages in the region preferred
Exceptional communication skills, including writing speaking and presentation capabilities in both English and French

How To Apply

Interested and eligible bilingual candidates are requested to e-mail their resumes and salary requirements to: [email protected] as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis to select a successful candidate. When applying, please note the job position title in the subject line. No Phone Calls please.

Offer valid till: 31 Jan, 2011