Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality.

CRS has operated in Ghana for over 50 years (since 1958), delivering essential support and help to the needy in agriculture, water and sanitation, education, emergency response, health, HIV & AIDS, microfinance, and peace building. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs. Therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to our approach in every country in which CRS operates.

CRS-Ghana programming in agriculture and rural livelihoods currently focuses on increasing household and community resiliency as well as equitable access to markets. As much as possible, programming is integrated with the other sectors, in particular health, microfinance and emergency response. The approach supports efficient use of human resources, but more importantly, has ensured a holistic understanding of agriculture and community development issues as well as delivery of sustainable development options for farming communities.

•   Job Title:  Program Manager - Agriculture (national positon)
•   Region: WARO
•   Reports to: Head of Programs
•   Location:  Ghana (location TBD)

JOB DESCRIPTION

CRS-Ghana is seeking a Program Manager - Agric (PM Agric) to lead all aspects of current and future agriculture and livelihood programming, including strategic planning, new business development, program quality, fostering linkages with government and donor initiatives, and supporting CRS local partners with implementation and capacity support.

•   The PM Agric will be responsible for leading the strategic development and management of programs that economically empower vulnerable populations.
•   The PM Agric will lead the design and management of integrated programs that address constraints to sustained livelihood improvements of small-scale producers in agricultural value chains.
•   The PM Agric will work to position and maintain CRS Ghana Agriculture at the forefront Ghana’s agricultural development efforts.
•   The PM Agric will be responsible for overall management of agriculture and livelihood programs as well as provide input into programming in other sectors that require agriculture related development activities.
•   The PM Agric will foster and maintain linkages and partnership arrangements with Government of Ghana Agriculture sector offices, multiple donors and relevant civil society organizations.
•   The PM Agric will help to develop and support agricultural interventions in Ivory Coast, including strategic planning, technical inputs, partner development and program quality support in coordination with Caritas partners.
•   The PM Agric will report to the Head of Programs and will maintain close liaison with relevant Regional Technical Advisors and the CRS All Africa Agriculture Team.
•   The PM Agric will ensure adherence to CRS technical and program quality standards in implementation and the timely submission of all required deliverables to all donors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Quality

•   With key program staff and stakeholders, ensure the agriculture programs’ strategic objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards.
•   Ensure that the vision and plans for projects are innovative and are in line with CRS agency and country program strategies, as well as Ministry of Food and Agriculture strategies.
•   Ensure integration of program interventions with other CRS programs, especially microfinance and health, through regular meetings, communication and sharing.
•   Mainstream gender into the design and implementation of CRS-sponsored agriculture and agro-enterprise development programs to increase equity.
•   Develop agriculture capacity within CRS-Ghana and its partners through needs assessments, training, follow up and mentorship, as appropriate.
•   In collaboration with other program staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to partners and other collaborating agencies to ensure that best practices are documented and disseminated.
•   Oversee program’s monitoring and evaluation system, using data analysis as the basis for measuring performance. Ensure that M&E learning is incorporated into evolving program plans.
•   Collaborate with Regional and Headquarters technical staff to identify and implement appropriate solutions using information technology (ICT4D) to improve project implementation, timeliness, and quality of M&E.
•   With program staff, ensure the delivery of quality training, technical assistance and administrative and financial support to all partner agencies, including the selection and coordination of consultants.
•   Collaborate with the All Africa Agricultural Team, the Food Security Unit and relevant Regional Technical Advisors to promote learning and identification of relevant innovations.

Business Development

•   Lead on the identification of new business development in the agriculture sector for Ghana and Ivory Coast
•   Mobilize the necessary technical expertise within CRS and partner organizations to design competitive proposals for smallholder agriculture production and equitable participation in agriculture value chains.
•   Lead the development of and implementation of a program growth strategy with CRS-Ghana and Caritas Ivory Coast staff and implementing partners.
•   Develop relationships with key donors with the view to understand the priorities and opportunities of each organization.
Seek out and make recommendations on new partnership relationships with the private sector and universities that will add value to CRS’ current portfolio and bring other growth opportunities.

Representation and Advocacy

•   In collaboration with the Country Representative (CR), act as primary program contact to international stakeholders in Agriculture in Ghana.
•   In collaboration with CR and Head of Programs, develop and strengthen linkages with Government agencies and civil society organizations in the agriculture and allied sectors.
•   In collaboration with Head of Programs, oversee program communication strategies, including compliance with donor’s branding and marketing requirements, as well as CRS marketing and communication procedures.

Management and Administration

•   Manage program budgets, including tracking of financial and material resources using established budget management tools and systems.
•   Ensure accurate and timely reporting of program finances and progress status; review actual financial performance against the budget; and explain variances on a regular basis.
•   Ensure agriculture staff compliance with all CRS administrative and operational procedures and policies, as well as applicable donor regulations.
•   Approve program expenditures, budget adjustments, and cost modification requests to donors.

Human Resource Management:

•   Lead, manage and supervise a team of CRS agriculture and economic growth staff to meet program objectives.
•   Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with CRS’ performance management system and mentor staff to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
Manage recruitment portfolio for the unit, in collaboration with Human Resources and CRS country program management, to ensure optimum service delivery through recruitment of competent and qualified staff.

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. CRS is an equal opportunity employer.  Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Master’s degree in Agriculture or related discipline.
•   Minimum 5-8 years’ experience in agricultural or community development work at national level.
•   Knowledge of Ghanaian agricultural and decentralized political systems.
•   Demonstrated proposal writing skills, particularly of USG or other public donor funded programs required.
•   Knowledge of key USG regulations including, but not limited to USAID 22 CF Part 226 Administration of Assistance Awards to U.S. Non-Governmental Organizations, 22 CFR Part 145 Grants and Agreements with Non-Profits, OMB Circulars A-122, Cost principles for non-profit organizations and A-133 Audit of states, local governments, and non-profits preferred.
•   Experience with participatory methods and partnerships required. Demonstrated capacity and experience with institutional strengthening of local civil society and government agencies.
•   Demonstrated personal accountability and driven to serve others.
•   Extensive knowledge of and experience with Ghana’s smallholder agriculture and agricultural value chains relative to crops, seed systems, livestock, fisheries, their geographical setting, opportunities and constraints, especially roots and tubers, rice, soybean and cocoa.
•   Demonstrated commitment to improving gender equality and gender responsiveness in programming and operations.
•   Proven experience in small and medium enterprise development, marketing and creating market linkages.
•   Proven experience in building and maintaining institutional linkages.
•   Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams.
•   Understanding of and experience with faith-based organizations, local church structures, and accompaniment and capacity-building principles in local partnerships highly desired.
•   Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required.
•   Experience in working in the Agriculture sector in Ivory Coast highly desirable.
•   Excellent English language oral and written communication skills required; proficiency in French and experience working in Francophone countries highly desirable.
•   Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.
•   Strong leadership skills, including strategic thinking, problem solving, effective communication and negotiating skills.
•   Excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills.

Agency-Wide Competencies

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

•   Serves with Integrity
•   Models Stewardship
•   Cultivates Constructive Relationships
•   Promotes Learning

CRS Competencies for Program Managers

•   Sets clear goals and manages towards them
•   Collaborates effectively with staff and stakeholders
•   Manages financial resources with integrity
•   Applies program quality standards to project design and organizational learning

Location: Ghana

How To Apply For The Job

All interested candidates who meet minimum qualification requirements are invited to submit CV and references to:-

GH_jobs@global.crs.org

Closing Date: 08 December, 2012

Application must be saved with this format:- Application.CV.(Name).Agric Manager. CRS Ghana

•   Female candidates meeting position requirements are strongly encouraged to apply
•   CRS is an equal opportunity employer.