Objective A Lead – Standards at Palladium

The Objective A lead will work with businesses to improve quality and diversity of goods and services and work with farmers to adopt improved agronomic practices. This role will work closely with public and private sectors to ensure that quality standards in domestic value chains are improved and enforced. The Objective A Lead will report to the Chief of Party (COP) of the project. S/He will oversee Objective A activities and staff, ensuring compliance and delivery of results.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Help improve SPS measures in Ghana to facilitate market access, working closely with GOG
• Develop and implement public and private traceability systems for fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products to trace origin throughout supply chain, isolate threats, and recall contaminated products as needed
• Improve local certification standards for plant safety, sanitary, and phytosanitary qualities, aligned with international standards, established with the private sector and improve market access for high-value export commodities
• Work closely with Ghanaian farmers and processors to improve capacity to meet market requirements for a diverse set of marketing channels (local, national, and export)
• Strengthen enforcement system to effectively administer and ensure compliance with GOG food safety standards and regulations
• Lead Objective A work planning and implementation to ensure program meets targets
• Provide necessary input for Objective A-related monitoring, evaluation, and learning; gender and social inclusion strategy; communication; and budgets
• Any other tasks requested by the Chief of Party

Required Qualifications:

•  Advanced degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agricultural economics, or other related field
• Minimum of four years’ experience in private sector and SME development, enabling environment, and trade
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Proven experience with programs promoting standards, SME development, and private sector development projects, in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Working proficiency in English required.
• Proven experience in project management including donor-funded projects for economic growth, USAID experience a plus