Start Date – April 1st, 2016, contingent on award, Anticipated 5 year USAID-funded Project
Location – Ghana
Position Summary:
SNV seeks a Value Chain Specialist for an anticipated USAID-funded, agriculture and natural resource management project in Northern Ghana. The goal of the program is to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and households through a holistic approach that focuses on increased revenue for rural populations from natural resource products, increased farmer access to land and natural resources, food security and nutrition, and enhanced environmental stewardship.
SNV is an international non-profit organization working in 39 of the poorest countries around the world, with the aim of alleviating poverty through sustainable and locally-led development. With over 1,000 professionals worldwide, and nearly 50 years of experience, we are constantly evolving and implementing innovative sustainable models to reduce global poverty and achieve our core goal of positively impacting the lives of 15 million people by 2015.
The Value Chain Specialist will support the Chief of Party in assigned duties and specifically those tasks that relate to developing value chains from various tree species and other natural resources. He/she will be responsible for establishing and maintaining financial management and accounting control systems for project expenditures.
Primary responsibilities will also include promoting productive business relationships with along the value chain for various economically vital trees, such as shea, neam, mango, moringa, etc. He/she will be responsible for developing plans for investment in shea, enhancing the quality and quantity of shea produced, and strengthening relationships with women’s cooperatives/associations and cosmetic firms.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Agricultural Business or related field.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in with value chain approaches in the agricultural and natural resource sectors, including fostering vertical and horizontal relationships in the industry to increase quality of services and products, especially for smallholder farmers, and promote competitiveness of the industry, preferably in Ghana or West Africa.
- Experience in working closely with producers, traders, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.
- Experience facilitating relations between private sector and government.
- Experience with women’s associations and worker cooperatives highly desired, but not required.
- At least three (3) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience, including; direct supervision of professional and support staff, quality evaluation of staff performance and deliverables.
- Experience working with a diverse group of technically skilled experts within the context of a project team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to hold staff accountable for doing their jobs.
Other Qualifications:
- Fluency in English required, knowledge of local languages highly desired.
- Excellent oral and writing skills.
- Ability to interact regularly and professionally across cultures and languages.
- Strong interpersonal and team building skills.
- Demonstrated organizational skills and strong track record in meeting deliverables and deadlines.
- Extensive experience in Ghana (local candidates strongly encouraged to apply).
To apply: Please email a cover letter and resume todcresume@snvworld.org. Please include ‘Value Chain Specialist’ in the subject line.
Closing date:
Monday, December 7, 2015
Type of contract:
Consultancy
