Grameen Foundation (GF) helps the world’s poorest people reach their full potential, by connecting their determination and skills with the resources they need.  In Ghana, Grameen Foundation develops mobile phone based solutions to strengthen health care delivery and improve health behaviors, particularly for the rural poor, and is starting up a new program that will use mobile phones to help smallholder farmers improve their efficiency and productivity.

JOB SUMMARY & KEY PRIORITIES:

This position will be responsible for leading the design and delivery of agriculture content and assist in the over-all project management of the ICT Challenge project.  The Lead, Content & Services, will work closely with the Program Director and collaborate with key stakeholders to implement the ICT Challenge project, a USAID initiative focused on providing ICT support to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that will yield food security and nutrition crops.  This individual will use knowledge of agronomy and agricultural extension as well as excellent program management, field management, and account management skills to help develop and deploy a scalable suite of ICT-based services that will enable extension networks, input suppliers, and other value chain players to reach Ghanaian farmers with critical information on new agriculture technologies and promote their adoption and correct use in specific value chains such as maize, rice, sorghum, cassava, yam, and cowpea.

KEY RESULTS:

This role is accountable to for leading and implementing agriculture content services related to the project as well as managing client accounts and providing day-to-day project management. Work involves partnering closely with Program Director to generate results and deliver against deadlines and internal/external partner requirements.  The Lead is accountable for:

•   Assisting the Program Director in work planning, day-to-day operations, budget management, reporting and logistics of the ICT Challenge project
•   Ensuring effective field program execution according to project work plan and aligned to predetermined quality standards
•   Designing and packaging agricultural curriculum covering maize, rice, sorghum, cassava, yam, and cowpea for the ICT Challenge project that will that will serve as input for ICT-based information services for farmers
•   Developing SMS and IVR campaigns based on developed content on maize, rice, sorghum, cassava, yam, and cowpea
•   Developing training modules for extension agents and input suppliers who will be providing the content to farmers
•   Overseeing the initial training for extension agents and input suppliers who will be providing the content to farmers
•   Supporting the monitoring and evaluation data analyst in designing baseline survey to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)
•   Developing an escalation path or resolution guide to address potential queries and issues on content
•   Supervising the Specialist, Field Operations
•   Acting as partner liaison help to form and manage project partnerships
•   Liaising with public and private agriculture institutions
•   Collaborating closely with technology team on solution design and development, problem solving.
•   Serving as a subject matter expert for agronomy related questions. Sought out for specific technical expertise or field experiences by team members

Qualification Required & Experience

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•   Deep understanding of challenges facing poor, smallholder farmers and corresponding product/solution needs; combined with deep commitment to eradicating poverty.
•   High level of expertise in agronomy and packaging technical advice for low-literate farmers
•   Understanding of the local context, target audience needs, and regulatory environment
•   High level of skill required in project management - helping build, pilot, and scale initiatives; and effective prioritization and execution of active projects
•   Strong execution skills, and ability to overcome and work around operational obstacles
•   Communication and relationship management skills; with an ability to influence others without authority, work in a networked organization, and deliver results with diverse partners
•   Ability to analyze data, identify issues and recommendations, and work with stakeholders to get decisions in a timely manner
•   Fluency and comfort with Human Centered Design principles and Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks

Qualification Required & Experience

•   5-8 years of overall experience managing substantive projects and teams
•   Minimum 5 years experience in agronomy, agricultural extension, or agriculture economics with at least two years experience in Ghana
•   Masters’ degree required in Agronomy, Agriculture Economist, or related field
•   Minimum 5 years experience in Agricultural Extension and Agribusiness required, with at least two years experience in Ghana
•   Fluency in at least one Ghanaian language strongly preferred
•   Experience working in a global/multicultural organizations across multiple time zones a strong plus

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in addition to a cover letter:

•   Detailed Curriculum Vitae stating current and latest posts  (WITH DATES) as well as summary of job responsibilities
•   Certifies photocopies of relevant certificates of highest academic qualification
•   Names, e-mail addresses and  telephone numbers of three (3) Referees (work-related)
•   Applications should reach the following address not later than November 30,2014

Ana Herrera:  aherrera@grameenfoundation.org

Closing Date: 15 December, 2015

INDICATE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR IN THE SUBJECT LINE.