Solidaridad West Africa Currently Recruiting 2017

Solidaridad West Africa is a not-for-profit organization that supports the sustainable development of farmers and production systems in West Africa, through the enhancement of value chains of fresh and processed agricultural commodities and other non-agricultural commodities.

Our activities in West Africa are focused on fresh fruits, oil palm, gold, cotton, maize, soy and cocoa. As the Regional Expertise Center (REC) within Solidaridad’s international network, we are part of a growing global movement advocating and supporting sustainable and responsible production and trade.

As the Regional Expertise Center (REC) within Solidaridad’s international network, SWA focuses on stimulating sustainable supply chains through innovations in good practices, robust infrastructure, sustainable landscapes management and enabling policy environment.

Solidaridad trains producers in best practices to produce more with less. We provide capacity building to producer organizations and enable them to access knowledge, inputs, finance, and markets. We develop and promote the integration of good economic, social and environmental management into standard business and production practices.

Solidaridad regional office is based in Accra, Ghana and currently has program activities and operations in Senegal, Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Sierra Leone

Job Description

Job Title: Project Coordinator

Duty Station: Accra, Ghana (with long periods spent in Brong Ahafo and Western Regions during the first year of the project)

Main Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Lead the DGM implementation team in the execution of the mandate of the National Executing Agency (NEA)
• Ensure the timely delivery of all aspects of the project from required reports to on the ground implementation targets
• Lead and guide the development of annual field activities, work plans, procurement plans, and the entire community engagement plans in line with the roles of the NEA
• Oversee the program activities and budget expenditure in line with approved World Bank requirements and consistent with Solidaridad’s financial management procedures.
• Ensure that training are planned well and executed in a timely fashion;
• Ensure that there is no delay between the basic training, preparation of grant applications, and implementation (evidence of the ability to strategize and plan well will be required);
• Work closely with the trainers to ensure their on-schedule delivery of the training packages;
• Ensure that the timing on planting of trees is commensurate with the rainy season in areas where water is not readily available;
• Work with the procurement specialist to ensure that procurement is not delaying the rollout of the implementation. The Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring that the procurement, M&E, safeguards, and financial management aspects are carried out transparently and on time.
• Build linkages with other DGM implementation teams in other parts of the world to draw lessons and best practices that can facilitate and enhance program implementation in Ghana.
• Represent Solidaridad/NEA and the DGM program at relevant regional and international fora.
• Provide administrative support to DGM National Steering Committee (NSC) meetings and facilitate the appropriate capacity development of the NSC for effective program governance and implementation support.
• Lead the preparation of periodic reports (technical and financial) to the World Bank DGM task leader in line with the NEA contract agreement with the World Bank
• Ensure visibility of G-DGM within the country and other DGM implementation countries.
• Liaise with relevant government departments and key organizations on technical issues related to the implementation of REDD+ activities and initiatives.
• Supervise the development and the implementation of project/program plans and activities in close coordination with partners and the National Steering Committee
• Lead the procurement of contracted third parties in carrying out project/program activities, including performance evaluation and monitoring of project work plans
• Lead the development of strategies, guidelines, manuals, and procedures for program implementation.

Our Offer:

• A unique and challenging job within an inspiring and international setting, and the chance to contribute to our environmental and sustainability agenda
• The opportunity to work with an innovative and dedicated network of professionals across the world.
• A one- year contract with automatic renewal for good work performance (subject to review and extension depending on performance).

Required Skills or Experience

• Master’s degree or higher qualification in relevant fields such as rural and urban planning, or related planning and operational fields or natural resources management with strong planning background/experience
• At least five years’ experience working on national or international projects (bilaterals, multilateral or NGOs) in which the candidate is responsible for managing the roll out and ground implementation of the project
• Solid evidence of a good understanding of natural resources processes, and in particular, climate change, REDD+ activities and their linkages to rural livelihoods.
• Solid evidence of experience working in rural communities
• At least five years of relevant experience in similar positions supporting project planning and operationalization particularly related to integrated rural natural resource/environmental projects.
• Strong writing and organizational skills with exceptional time-management
• Ability to coordinate written inputs across different sectors and present them in a report style
• Strong problem-solving ability to ensure a smooth coordinated approach to implementation
• Good communication skills in English, Twi, and other languages are spoken in the cocoa and charcoal producing areas in Western and Brong-Ahafo regions
• Ability to spend continuous weeks at a time in the BA or Western Region during the first year of the project’s roll out

How to Apply

Please send a one-page motivation letter (addressed to the Regional Director, Solidaridad West Africa) and a resume in English to [email protected], and indicate the position you are applying for in the subject header.
The closing date for this vacancy is Tuesday 20th June, 2017.

For more information about Solidaridad please visit our website: www.solidaridadnetwork.org.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.