Social Facilitation and Extension Officer at MIRO Forestry Ghana

• Leadership: Develop and build a sustainable outgrower project learning from pilots and adapting to social, climatic and economic environments
• Direction: Understand the facts, listen to key stakeholders and communicate objectives clearly, concisely and consistently
• Alignment: Act within clearly defined roles, responsibilities and expectations, and think and act in ways that benefit both Growers and Miro teams
• Commitment: Be consistent in what we say and do, clearly linking strategy to decision-making and performance
• Develop: Build and develop Grower and team capabilities

Role intent

• Contribute to the Company’s raw material supply and Grower development strategy with a view towards long-term growth, Grower relationship development and sustainability
• Provide support and oversight to the Outgrower schemes, ensuring timely development and activities.
• Ensure stability, good governance and effective operations in Grower models and organisations
• Ensure technical competence of Growers in forestry management and supplementary food crop
• Ensure adherence to the Supply Agreement between Miro and the Growers and compliance to FSC requirements
• Ensure long term, sustainable Grower relationships by holding the function accountable to the highest standards of stakeholder engagement, relationship management and social capital development
• Leverage available support from the Miro group and external stakeholders
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement throughout Grower development
• Keep abreast of and explore opportunities for innovation and growth in Grower Social Facilitation (community mobilisation, relationship management, institutional management, etc.) and Grower livelihood enhancement.
• Adhere to safety standards and promote world class safety practices
• Build engaged and resilient neighbouring communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a long term raw material supply plan that reflects mill capacity and demand; refreshing the plan at appropriate intervals and ensuring initiatives are in place to deliver on the plan strategy
• Implement the Grower model framework, defining the support and services available / provided to each segment
• Monitor the grower pilot projects, capturing what works and what does not to reflect in future iterations.
• Working with the forestry department, provide technical training and management support to Growers
• Facilitate legal and financial compliance of Grower Cooperatives or organisational bodies
• Support in developing and implementing policies, budgets, governance structures and administrative routines in Grower Cooperatives or organisational bodies
• Develop strong leadership and talent within Grower Cooperatives or organisational bodies through ongoing coaching, mentoring and guidance
• Champion and embed company and FSC standards and processes for identifying and securing land for Grower schemes, supporting the Grower ecosystem, managing Grower relationships and managing Grower supply.
• Drive synergies with the company and external stakeholders, effectively partnering with counterparts to identify, share and embed opportunities for optimisation of grower and community engagement
• Manage relationships with individual Growers, Cooperative leaders and officers, key community stakeholders including traditional leaders and local government
• Ensure enablers are in place to promote success (e.g. systems and processes)
• Identify and monitor KPIs to track performance and flag any issues
• Documentation: Be responsible for and maintain the Grower sections of the Company document system on Dropbox.
• Management and Leadership; Collaborate with all other departments aiming to foster a collaborative, cross departmental, approach and collaboration toward common targets
• Financial management: Manage and produce annual budgets for the grower department / job function. Take responsibility for operating with agreed budgets.

Reporting structure 

• The successful candidate will work within the forestry department reporting to the Forestry Manager whilst liaising closely with the Social Manager and Community Liaison Officers.

Job Requirements          

• Social Science Degree / Agricultural/Forestry Degree
• 5+ years experience in social facilitation or extension
• Understanding of smallholder agriculture or forestry development
• Understanding of local social and legal environments, experienced in interpreting and applying legislation to community organisations
• Competent computer and technology skills
• Experienced in establishing governance and administrative routines and ways of working
• Experience in working with communities and vulnerable groups, specifically women and youth.
• Women are especially encouraged to apply
• The ability to drive a vehicle or ride a motorbike will be an advantage
• Applicants must have a right to reside and work in Ghana.

Location

• The position will be located at the company’s Drobonso operation, Ashanti Region, Ghana, although extensive travel into local communities will be required.

Working hours

• This is a full time role of 40 hours per week. Standard working hours are 07.30 – 16.30 although additional hours may be required during times of high workload.