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 coordinating field operations for the ICT Challenge project.  The Specialist, Field Operations, will work closely with the Lead for Content & Services 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.  The Specialist will use skills in field force management, training, and support to contribute to the project’s goals of developing 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 for supporting client organizations to recruit, train, manage and support a network of mobile-enabled field agents. Work involves partnering closely with Lead, Content & Services, to generate results and deliver against deadlines and internal/external partner requirements.  The Specialist will be accountable for:

•   Coordinating all field related activities including research, training, and M&E
•   Working with client organizations to, where necessary, recruit additional field agents using a participatory community based selection approach
•   Leading training to client agents and agent supervisors on the use of mobile-enabled tools to disseminate best practices among small-holder farmers
•   Supporting client organizations to design agent network activities and provide logistical support to networks of extension agents, including work plan development, performance and outreach targets, and execution
•   Identifying operational challenges, ensuring resolution in coordination with other team members and partner and client organizations
•   Working closely with the Technical Support Specialist to implement case management systems and procedures to resolve technical issues for both the hardware and software
•   Identifying and communicating opportunities to continually improve content and overall service
•   Liaising with partner field staff to facilitate overall project coordination and continual service enhancement

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
•   Understanding of the local context and smallholder farmer needs
•   Excellent communication skills and proven ability to train low-literate and multi-lingual, multi-cultural adults
•   Strong execution skills, and ability to overcome and work around operational obstacles

Qualification Required & Experience

•   At least 2 years experience managing agriculture extension agents
•   Experience leading trainings and providing technical assistance in rural communities
•   Bachelors degree required in Agronomy or Agriculture Economics or related field
•   Fluency in at least one Ghanaian language
•   Experience working with mobile devices or ICT a 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.