SNV Netherlands Development Organisation in Ghana seeks to fill the following position:
Sector Leader Agriculture
Based in Accra, Ghana
International contract
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 39 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.
Background
SNV has worked in Ghana since 1991 and currently operates in all regions of Ghana. In alignment with our Corporate Strategy, SNV Ghana focuses on three sectors namely Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WaSH).
SNV Ghana currently implements a portfolio of agricultural projects in with the aim of enhancing food security, improving the livelihoods of smallholders, and strengthening the environmental sustainability of agricultural production in the face of a changing climate. Current projects include Cocoa, Rice, Non-Timber Forest Products (shea etc), Sesame and Ghana’s School Feeding programme.
Overview of the position
The incumbent is responsible for steering national sector development and quality of the practice in line global sector choices, cross cutting themes in order to improve sector performance and contribute to the overall performance of SNV in Ghana.
This position reports to Country Director and works in close collaboration with other country sector leaders.
The Sector leader will be based in Accra, and will make frequent visits to other locations where SNV has agriculture programmes and clients. S/he will lead a team of 13 advisors, 15 Local Capacity Builders and 5 consultants.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction to the sector in terms of content and leadership to optimize development results and resource mobilisation;
- Conceptual development of the sector programmes, including identifying and defining programme interventions and opportunities in the agriculture subsectors, lead on innovations and craft this to practice;
- Steer implementation of projects/programmes within assigned budgets, lead complex assignments to deliver meaningful and effective advisory services especially in private sector development;
- Provide guidance and steer on Managing for Results policy and ensure credible M & E indicators and results;
- Management and development of human resources in the sector, this includes evaluating performance of all categories of the workforce; mentor and coaches team members;
- Build and maintain relations with relevant stakeholders including donors, local organisations and knowledge institutions with the objective of profiling SNV and secure additional funding for the sector;
- Establish efficient system for business development intelligence and identify opportunities to mobilize financial resources in collaboration with the other sector teams in the country;
- Strategically lead and manage new business development opportunities for the sector including but not limited to seeking out calls, preparing EOI’s, concept notes and full proposals.
- Actively draw lessons from managing the programmes for improving SNV’s service delivery and participate in knowledge development expertise groups/ networks so as to enhance knowledge development and sharing on innovative delivery models with the team;
- Identify improvement areas within SNV Ghana with the aim of improving service and quality standards.
Candidate Profile
- Master’s Degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, business administration, international trade or any relevant field.
- Minimum 8 years professional work experience, including 5 years international experience in implementing agricultural projects preferably in West Africa;
- Strong (cutting edge) knowledge of agricultural sub-sectors/value chain analysis;
- Experience in leading, managing and coaching a team of advisors and consultants;
- Experienced networking and relationship manager, especially with donors;
- Proven track record in business development, proposal writing and mobilising resources;
- Experience in organizing/executing business & investment plans, risk analysis and impact frameworks;
- Entrepreneurial skills and proactive attitude;
- Client and team oriented attitude;
- Excellent communication skills in English, oral and written;
- Strong computer skills.
Contract:
- International Contract
- 2 years with possibility of extension.
Desired start date:
February 2015
Duty Station
Accra, Ghana
HOW TO APPLY:
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and letter of motivation into our in-house system using the linkhttps://snv.devhire.devex.com/jobs/330647
before 25 January, 2015.
We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
