Job Vacancy For Rice Sector Support Project Technical Assistant At SOFRECO (Wa and Bolgatanga)



SOFRECO is a leading company in consultancy and technical assistance for sustainable economic and social development. Using tested and approved products, methodologies and tools, it provides quality services with tangible results. SOFRECO's priority is to ensure that the beneficiaries accept and adopt these results, through flexible, practical and adapted solutions, and to create a dynamic of participative, lasting change in a multitude of sectors and countries throughout the world. This dynamic aims to develop expertise and lead to the better allocation and management of available resources.

SOFRECO practises three complementary professions: consultancy, engineering and training. Our assignments, most of which fall within the scope of programmes for sustainable development and poverty reduction, cover numerous fields:

•   agriculture, rural development and food aid;
•   the environment, natural resource management and mining;
•   industrial engineering, essentially in agribusiness and fertiliser chemistry;
•   infrastructures, transport, urban planning, energy and telecommunications;
•   good governance and public management, management of the economy, strengthening of the legislative framework and legal system;
•   education, vocational training and social development;
•   health and social policy;
•   the development of the private sector.

Our innovative vision of development assistance, the multisectoral and multicultural experience of our different professions, our proven capacity to implement complex, technical assistance projects developed over 30 years, and our decisive participation as a vector for sustainable change in transition and developing countries, have enabled us to become a privileged partner of the major international cooperation and development aid institutions, particularly the European Commission, the World Bank, regional development banks and bilateral donors.

SOFRECO also works directly with private clients in the fields of chemicals, fertilisers, agribusiness and agriculture.

Constantly expanding, SOFRECO has carried out more than 1100 assignments in over 130 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, the Caucasus, North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East and South Africa, Central and South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific, in close collaboration with institutional beneficiaries, the private sector and civil society. SOFRECO provides solutions to the specific needs of each project, taking into account best practises and efficient use of aid.

Job Summary

The Rice Sector Support Project was designed as a collaboration between AFD and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. An agreement was signed in August 2007 between the two entities to serve as the overall financial and technical framework on the scope and structure for implementing the Project. The Project is funded with both a loan of 12.5 million Euros and a grant of 1.30 million Euros from the AFD.

The goal of RSSP is to improve the livelihoods of farmers of the three Northern Regions and the Volta Region through increased incomes and food security. This is to be achieved by taking advantage of natural potentials of roughly 100 selected lowlands.

The broad scope and duties of the local Technical Assistants shall include:

•   Coordination, organization and monitoring of RSSP activities  at regional and district levels;
•   Facilitate coordination between PCU, RADUs and DADUs: they would be the focal point for coordination and communication within MOFA;
•   Facilitate coordination between PCU, RADU and all other project stakeholders (NGOs, NFED, research actors, contractors,…) and the beneficiaries:

More specifically, the local TAs will perform the following activities:

•   Facilitate and ensure preparation of realistic work plans for the RCTs and DCTs for the period (management meetings organization and follow-up, establish regular meetings between DCTs, monitoring of the activities planned and regular field missions with stakeholders),
•   Regularly monitor the implementation of work plans by ensuring work progresses to ensure achievement of objectives,
•   Monitor budget used at the regional and district levels in respect to RSSP activities and control accurate records,
•   Supervise Schedule officers and districts focal persons to collect data, analyze and submit reports on RSSP,
•   Assist the RADUs and DADUs in the planning, monitoring and supervision of all RSSPs’ contractors (regular fields visits in the Region and districts, follow-up of the deliverables and achievements),
•   Assist the DADU’s (extension agents, district focal persons…) in the direct implementation of the activities under their own responsibilities: agricultural extension services to farmers, yields data collection, records of documentation…
•   Identify challenges and propose recommendations and action plan to be followed up. PCU’s prior approval is required.

Qualification Required & Experience

Technical Assistants shall have the capacity to exhibit the following skills:

•   A record of effective management and strong human relations;
•   Should show a strong writing and communication skills,
•   Should have knowledge and expertise in agriculture, especially in Project management and working experience in northern Ghana;
•   A track record of innovations in agriculture;
•   Conversant with the use of ICT including the use of the services of “internet” facilities for effective communication ; and
•   Ability to work well within a team
•   Proactive and to be a force for bringing proposals.
•   At least five (5) years’ professional experience in managing agriculture-related Project;
•   Documented excellence in project performance and management;
•   Experience in lowland and/or irrigation development would be appreciated;
•   Experience in the support to agricultural organizations;
•   Good knowledge of the rice sector.

Location: Wa and Bolgatanga

How To Apply For The Job

Send a tailored and updated CV to:-

sli@sofreco.com

Closing Date: 10 November, 2014