Project Manager in Agriculture Sector Development, focusing on Agricultural Value Chains (AVC at MDF | Empowering People, Creating Impact

Job Description

• MDF West Africa is looking for an experienced Project Manager to join our team in the acquisition and execution of projects focusing on Agricultural Value Chains and other related assignments across the West Africa region and beyond.
• The MDF team specialises in the execution of assignments in different thematic areas, which include but are not limited to WASH, Education, Agriculture, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Governance, Finance and Circular & Green Economy.
• The ability of the MDF Team to implement assignments that cut across different thematic areas allows the cross-fertilisation of resources and ideas, generating optimal service to clients. 
• Within this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients like GIZ, EU, IFAD, RVO, AfDB and World Bank to name a few, and travel within the West Africa region. 
• You will be part of the international MDF network and therefore work with and learn from colleagues from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

MAIN TASK AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Acquisition of Assignments

• Acquisition and implementation of projects in both the private and public sector.
• Development of work plans, recruitment of experts and the management of project acquisition teams during the tender/proposal phase.
• Conduct research on upcoming opportunities and be aware of recent developments in the project regions.
• Develop qualified technical proposals and reports, which requires strong writing capabilities within given deadlines.
• Travelling to project areas on demand, sometimes on short notice.

Execution of Assignments

• Follow up on upcoming opportunities from an early stage of tender development into execution. This includes the development of work plans, recruitment of experts, and reporting.
• Management of our expert teams in Ghana and abroad.
• Monitoring, quality assurance, and reporting of all project-related activities during the implementation.
• Maintain client and partner relationships.
• Provide needed support on other assignments where other MDF colleagues are Project Managers.

NEEDED COMPETENCIES 

• Technical Competencies and Professional Experience
• Relevant master’s degree in business administration, agricultural economics or similar. 
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in (international) development.
• Technical skills, experience, and passion in the areas of agriculture, agribusiness and/or economic growth are a must.
• Demonstrated experience responding to development partners procurement procedures (EU PRAG regulations, AfDB, World bank, IFAD) are an advantage.
• Open to implement innovations, especially in ICT adaption and Green and/or CircularEconomy.
• Fluency English is required – both written and spoken. Solid writing and communication skills in French would be a strong asset.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team. 

Personal/Social

• Service-and-client-oriented.
• Proactive/take initiative, business driven, professional, cosmopolitan.
• Team player, flexible, goes the extra mile, not a 9 to 5 mentality.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) on a regional and international level via email, phone and face-to-face i.e., respectful, businessoriented, broad vocabulary, understanding of cultures and customs.
• Work independently, take responsibility to the team and clients, practical approach.
• Able to deal with productivity and turnover targets.
• Interested in learning and improve and improving yourself.
• Have International and/or West African work expertise
• Interested in management for development