DAI is an employee-owned global development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governments, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 60 countries. Our integrated development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines—crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS and disease control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.

Africa Lead II

The USAID Building Capacity for African Agricultural Transformation (Africa Lead II) Project is a five-year effort to support and advance the agricultural transformation in Africa as proposed by the African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP), while simultaneously contributing to the Feed the Future goals of reduced hunger and poverty, by building the capacity of men and women African leaders, institutions and stakeholders to develop, lead, and manage the structures needed for the transformation process. This project has three components:

•   The establishment of institutional/organizational architecture to lead African agriculture transformation at the national and regional levels, operating at the highest level of effectiveness;
•   The operationalization of capacity to manage the policy change and alignment process; and
•   The effective participation and leading when necessary, of Non-State Actors (NSAs) in the CAADP process.

Responsibilities

•   Assists the Senior Institutional Development Specialist and Component Managers in liaising with the bilateral and regional missions to secure and manage buy-ins.
•   Helps maintains and updates program activity calendar and work plan
•   Research and data collection, analysis and collation
•   Maintain program files
•   Provides administrative backstopping and support to the technical team to ensure that program activities run smoothly-i.e. sending out invitations, tracking RSVP, collating participant lists and contacts
•   Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the country office operations, responding and or re-routing general request for information, electronic communications to Mission and project beneficiaires
•   Assists with the organization of required paperwork such as purchase requisitions reviewing and editing reports, terms of reference, scopes of Work, etc.  for submission and compliance to USAID and DAI home office rules and regulations.
•   Provides logistical support to ensure the smooth facilitation of major conferences, trainings and meetings as well as coordinating travel and schedules of consultants in collaboration with the Logistics team.
•   Coordinates  and communicates with the ALII target insitutions or beneficiaries . to identify training and/or capacity development needs.
•   Assists with the identification and securing of consultants, trainers, to support implementation of Africa Lead programs.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in development,  economics, knowledge management, or related fields.  Master’s degree preferred
•   A minimum of 3-5 years working with key institutions, policy organizations, and non-state actors in the country of interest.
•   Prior knowledge of USAID and donor community preferred.
•   Solid communications and outreach skills and ability to build networks required.
•   Bilingual English/French highly desirable

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

If you have the qualifications and skills listed above, please send the following to

africaleadftf@dai.com

Closing Date: 29 October, 2014

•   CV
•   Salary history
•   Three professional references
•   Unedited writing samples (include design work if available)

Please title the subject of your email as: “Program Officer” Application

•   This is an Accra-based position with potential travel within the region.
•   Qualified Ghanaians, ECOWAS nationals and expatriates based in Ghana are encouraged to apply.