Job Opportunities at SNV

Overview And Background

As a pro-poor development organization, SNV facilitates smallholder agricultural value chain development by promoting production efficiency and product quality, improve access to input and farm management services, and strengthen farm resilience through climate smart practices. SNV also facilitates better farmer organisation, improved market access while securing companies’ supply base by enhancing farmer loyalty and investing in fair, equitable and sustainable practices.

SNV Ghana is currently seeking applications for a full-time position for a Project Manager. The project manager will oversee an anticipated project that seeks to significantly improve sustainable supply of high-quality white sorghum for processing purposes, targeting over 13,000 smallholders in up to 16 districts within the sorghum producing belt of Ghana. The project is expected to increase access to production resources to smallholders and commercial farmers including women and the youth, while creating a robust enabling environment for further growth. The overarching objective is to create a turnaround in the white sorghum supply chain, where farmers will experience and regard high quality sorghum as profitable business crop that fits well within sustainable farming systems.

Job Description

The Project Manager will lead and manage the planning, and implementation of all project components within the scope, budget, timeline and required quality levels along the commitments specified in the contracts signed with the donor(s) and other relevant stakeholders. The Project Manager will work in line with SNV standards, SNV`s approach to project management and donor regulations, to achieve high quality agreed results and deliverables of the project. He/she shall ensure the project objectives and results are achieved with quality and to the expectation of the donor.

He/she will provide technical leadership and overall direction oversight of the project. Together with other stakeholders, the Project Manager will ensure the timely and successful implementation of SNV’s work, take the lead in brokering input credit scheme for farmers and aggregators as well as providing the needed technical assistance to national and district level actors in the project. The Project Manager will ensure timely reporting of activities and project deliverables, develop and maintain relationships with value chain actors, and ensure project visibility at all levels including working with government partner agencies, private sector persons responsible for project deliverables; manage project team, consultants and service providers; budget & financial management; project monitoring and evaluation, and overall coordination of the project in the implementing districts.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Project Manager will include the following:

• Project set-up
  • Sets up and communicates administrative, governance, accounting, HR, M&E structures, and procedures for the project. Initiates implementation of the project plan upon approval by country director, in accordance with the SNV project management procedures, relevant SNV structures and procedures, accounting principles, donor requirements and contracted commitments.
• Project Management
  • Leads, manages and motivates the project team, partners and relevant stakeholders. Plans and assigns deliverables and activities, monitors and reviews progress and addresses deviations in terms of timelines and quality, based on project planning, deliverables agreed and budget. Manages project closure and evaluation processes including hand-over of complete and up-to-date project file to Country Director and Business Development unit based on project management procedures.
• Project quality assurance
  • Takes responsibility for the (technical) content of a project, ensures quality of the deliverables, and ensures sufficient technical input to meet the quality standards.
• Contract Management & Project Accounting
  • Manages and accounts for full compliance of administrative, finance and HR components of the project with SNV internal procedures and requirements specified in the donor, sub-grant, sub-consultancy and partner. Ensures that approval for, coding and booking of all expenditures is done according to the relevant procedures and authorization levels. Prepares, accounts for, manages and reports on project budget (and revisions thereof). Discusses and obtains approval of donor for contract / budget deviations. Ensures security and (financial risk) mitigation (incl. due diligence). Fully understands procurement and comply with requirements and contracts.
• People Management & Team Leadership
  • Guides, develops, coaches, and motivates team members and prepares resource estimation based on forecast to attract and recruit (SNV staff, consultants and/or service providers). Advises HR and country management on contract conditions for consultants and service providers within guidelines and project budget.
• Business development
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships with the team, external partners, and the donor(s) by ensuring a high level of SNV visibility and branding. Signals and acts on potential for positioning, innovation, upscaling, and potential follow up on projects. Timely recognizes and analyses threats and makes sure relevant colleagues are informed.
• Analysis & Reporting
  • Ensures collection, consolidation, and review of project information, according to SNV’s monitoring and evaluation guidelines. Analyses and provides advice to management how to incorporate the new insights/best practices into the organization’s policies and practices.
• Knowledge Development
  • Contributes to internal and external knowledge development, by full documentation and sharing of project insights and results. Develops knowledge by attending workshops and conferences. Ensures lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice. When applicable can be appointed as (national) focal point of an expertise network.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Development, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Development Studies, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Have at least ten (10) years’ experiences in in leading and managing agriculture related programs focusing on market systems development, value chain development, outgrower and production scheme management.
• Experience in Governance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
• Hands-on experience working with national/regional/district structures to implement sustainable agricultural programmes.
• Experience in establishing and maintaining effective partnerships and strategic alliances (Bilateral/Multilateral Donors, Local NGOs, Regional Bodies).
• Substantial experience establishing and managing donor relations.
• Substantial experience is managing grants and business support services providers.
• Support Advisors in field interventions in line with set targets. These activities may include but not limited to the following:
  • Mobilization of actors around the targeted commodity (sorghum).
  • Profiling/ assessments of farmers and aggregators and other value chain actors.
  • Business growth and development of aggregators.
  • Coordination of activities of connected local actors within the value chain.
  • Capacity building (technical, organizational) of actors.
  • Promotion of innovations within the project that support production increases.
  • Capacity and trust building activities to improve efficiency and reduce transaction costs within value chains.
  • Linkage of value chain actors to financial and other support services.
  • Contribute to business development initiatives of SNV or the scale up of the sorghum project.

Key competencies

• Demonstrated project management expertise and excellent knowledge of the full Project Management Cycle.
• Ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyse implementation issues.
• Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams; excellent ability to work in a team.
• Solid planning, analysis, and prioritization skills.
• Good financial management skills related to project management.
• Effective time management and very good organizational skills
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy in contacts with third parties.
• Knowledge of usual office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and regular communication channels (Internet, email, zoom, teams, google meet, Skype etc)
• Fluency in English with strong writing skills is required.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations within Ghana

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Overview and Background

As a pro-poor development organization, SNV facilitates smallholder agricultural value chain development by promoting production efficiency and product quality, improve access to input and farm management services, and strengthen farm resilience through climate smart practices. SNV also facilitates better farmer organisation, improved market access while securing companies’ supply base by enhancing farmer loyalty and investing in fair, equitable and sustainable practices.

To roll out the anticipated project, SNV is currently seeking applications for a full-time position as an Agriculture Advisor, with specific expertise in Farm Resilience and Livelihoods for an anticipated project. 

Job Description

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager the Farm Resilience Advisor on the project will each be responsible to provide technical insights and advisory services to mainly farmers, on diversification and mixed cropping with food security and nutrition related food crops that are compatible with productivity enhancement, and facilitate farmer adoption of regenerative agriculture in smallholder white sorghum system. The Advisor will support the project manager and project partners to meet the overall objectives, as well as identifying opportunities and areas for improvement, to ensure quality delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of each Advisor will include the following:

• Oversee the effective implementation of the project plan to increase sorghum production among smallholders and commercial farmers in the districts of the target project area.
• Promote across project area diversification, and sustainable production of sorghum is part of farm system both in terms of agronomy and revenue/cash flow
• Promote mixed cropping with nutrition and food security related food crops that are compatible with productivity enhancement of white sorghum system.
• Promote regenerative agriculture through sustainable intensification and
• agroecology including practices such as minimum tillage, cover cropping, enhanced on-farm biodiversity and mixed cropping, improved soil water holding capacity.
• Strengthen farmer loyalty towards GGBL sorghum grain sourcing.
• Identify and profile farmers for production support.
• Lead in the quality management of grains for delivery.
• Lead technology transfer activities to farmers.
• Support aggregators in grain mobilization and delivery.
• Monitor and collect data on farmer learning plots and other M&E indicators for learning.
• Monitor the performance of farmers in the production of sorghum.
• Ensure annual production targets of aggregators and farmers are met.
• Support the formation and operationalization of VSLAs.
• Lead the mobilization of actors around sorghum production in at least four (4) districts of the project.

Qualifications

• Applicant must have relevant knowledge in Private Sector, good understanding and work experience in value chain development and agribusiness operations. She/he must have strong knowledge and experience in the sorghum sector in Ghana.
• Master’s degree plus Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in relevant disciplines, such as: Agronomy, Crop science, Biotechnology, Natural Resources Management, and any related field.
• At least five (5) years of experience in implementing project as an Agronomist or value chain development in the sorghum or related crop sector; experience in large and complex grain production and supply chain strengthening  is desired.
• Proven experience in project implementation having relevant understanding of value chain development and other events for value chain stakeholders in sorghum or related grain sector.
• Result-orientation and ability to take initiatives under minimal supervision, and to reach targets.
• Strong agribusiness relationship management experience and focus with the ability to stimulate trust and confidence with clients and investors including managing various stakeholders.
• Good project management skills: ability to contribute to the project’s overall M&E system will be a plus.
• Excellent organising, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching and networking skills.
• Flexible approach to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills.
• Lead and support the production of sorghum in at least four (4) districts of the project.

Key competencies

• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
• Ability to effectively communicate with farmers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain.
• Strong interpersonnel skills with excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Able to support and energise multi-partner project teams.
• Experience in knowledge management and documentation.
• Team player and confident to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural setting.

go to method of application »

Overview and Background

As a pro-poor development organization, SNV facilitates smallholder agricultural value chain development by promoting production efficiency and product quality, improve access to input and farm management services, and strengthen farm resilience through climate smart practices. SNV also facilitates better farmer organisation, improved market access while securing companies’ supply base by enhancing farmer loyalty and investing in fair, equitable and sustainable practices.

SNV in the process of initiating a project that seeks to significantly improve sustainable supply of high-quality white sorghum for processing purposes, targeting over 13,000 smallholders in up to 16 districts within the sorghum producing belt of Ghana. The project is expected to increase access to production resources to smallholders and commercial farmers including women and the youth, while creating a robust enabling environment for further growth. The overarching objective is to create a turnaround in the white sorghum supply chain, where farmers will experience and regard high quality sorghum as profitable business crop that fits well within sustainable farming systems.

To roll out the project, SNV is currently seeking applications for two (2) full-time position as Agriculture Advisors, with specific expertise in sorghum for an anticipated project. The position will be based in Tamale, Ghana.

Job Description

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager the two Sorghum Agronomists on the project will each be responsible for supervising activities in target project districts, provide technical insights and agronomic advisory services to farmers, aggregators, and other value chain actors. The Advisors will support the Project Manager and project partners towards effective implementation of project activities to meet project targets and objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of each Advisor will include the following:

• Oversee the effective implementation of the project plan to increase sorghum production among smallholders and commercial farmers in at least four (4)  districts of the target project area. This includes but not limited to the following:
  • Pre-planting: Oversee farmer group formation, farmers access to credit, access to input suppliers, farm managemet services etc.
  • Land Preparation and planting: support farmers in production planning around cropping cycle including identifying problems and setting priorities, access to seed and planting materials,  land preparation, spacing.
  • Growing and: educate farmers on soil fertility and moisture management, pest and weed control methods in regenerative agricultural practices,
  • Harvesting; support facilitation of preharvest meetings, farmer sensitisation of pricing agreements, grain quality standards and postharvest lost prevention measures.
• Strengthen farmer loyalty towards sorghum grain sourcing.
• Identify and profile farmers for production support.
• Lead in the quality management of grains for delivery.
• Lead technology transfer activities to farmers.
• Support aggregators in grain mobilization and delivery.
• Monitor and collect data on farmer learning plots and other M&E indicators for learning.
• Monitor the performance of farmers in the production of sorghum.
• Ensure annual production targets of aggregators and farmers are met.
• Support the formation and operationalization of VSLAs.
• Lead the mobilization of actors around sorghum production.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree plus minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in relevant disciplines, such as: Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop science Biotechnology, Development studies, and any related field.
• Applicant must have good understanding and work experience in value chain development and agribusiness operations, relevant experience with the private sector. She/he must have strong knowledge and experience in the sorghum sector in Ghana.
• At least five (5) years of experience in implementing project as an Agronomist or value chain development in the sorghum or related crop sector; experience in large and complex grain production and supply chain strengthening / is desired.
• Proven experience in project implementation having relevant understanding of inclusive value chain development in sorghum and relevant grain sector.
• Result-orientation and ability to take initiatives under minimal supervision, and to reach targets.
• Strong agribusiness relationship, management experience and focus with the ability to stimulate trust and confidence with clients and investors including managing various stakeholders.
• Good project management skills: ability to contribute to the project’s overall M&E system will be a plus.
• Excellent organising, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching and networking skills.
• Flexible approach to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated.
• Willingness to travel to all project locations.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills.

Key competencies

• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
• Ability to effectively communicate with farmers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain.
• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Able to support and energise multi-partner project teams.
• Experience in knowledge management and documentation.
• Team player and confident to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural setting.

go to method of application »

To roll out the project, SNV is currently seeking applications for a full-time position as Advisor, Access to Finance for the anticipated project.

Job Description

Under the overall guidance of the Project Manager the “Advisor, Access to Finance” is responsible for the developing and implementing the inclusive finance component of the project. S/he will lead in the design and execution of interventions to link actors in the sorghum value chain to access finance for production. These actors will include but not limited to farmers, aggregators, input dealers, and mechanized service providers. S/he will also be responsible for facilitating access to additional financial services such as payment systems, savings, credit, risk mitigation measures. The Access to finance Advisor will also be engaging private sector players in the sorghum value chain and financial Institutions to develop agri-finance products that support investments in the sorghum value chain to ultimately result in increasing the production of sorghum in a sustainable manner. The successful candidate will report to the project manager.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Advisor will include the following:

• Provide overall support to establishing of VSLAs and strengthen farmer position towards reliable and fair access to agricultural inputs, financing, and inclusive business practices.
• Assist in farmer segmentation and building credit worthy farmers and other actors in the value chain on one hand, while working with relevant financial institutions to develop the right agri-finance product that meets the needs of actors in the sorghum value chain.
• Oversee the effective implementation of the project plan to increase sorghum production among smallholders and commercial farmers in the chosen districts of the project.  
• Mobilization of actors to produce sorghum.
• Lead training activities on access to finance for actors.
• Profiling/ assessments of actors’ financial needs and facilitate the necessary linkages for financial services.
• Profile financial institutions for the needed financial linkages with actors.
• Lead capacity building (technical, organizational) on business growth and development to empowerment women and youth (men and women) in the sorghum value chain.
• Lead business development prospects of aggregators to strengthen their capacity in farmer engagement for the supply of sorghum.
• Assist in educating farmers on  land preparation and planting activities, good agricultural practices after planting, and support preharvesting meetings, farmer sensitisation of pricing agreements, grain quality standards and postharvest lost prevention measures.
• Strengthen farmer loyalty towards sorghum grain sourcing.
• Lead, manage and support the production of sorghum from at least four (4) districts.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Development Finance, Agriculture Economics, Development Economics, Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, or related field.
• At least five (5) years of professional experience in agri-finance sector working with SMEs, MSMEs, farmers, input credit schemes etc.
•  Proven experience working with commercial financial institutions, impact investors, rural banks, and Microfinance institutions, preferably in rural communities.
•  Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing the inclusive finance component of a project; experience in larger and complex/multi-sectoral projects/programmes desired.
• Knowledge of savings and credit collaboratives, rotating savings groups, village savings and loan associations.   
• Strong communication skills including reporting and presentation skills.
• Monitor and document indicators of the project alignment to production and finance.
• Any other duty assigned to him/her by the project manager.

Key competencies

• Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
• Ability to effectively communicate with farmers and entrepreneurs along the agricultural value chain.
• Strong interpersonnel skills with excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation.
• Able to support and energise private sector in business development.
• Experience in knowledge management and documentation.
• Team player and confident to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural setting.
• Ability to meet deadlines; Ability to work independently and proactively; Ability to work independently.
• Ability to coach to enhance business growth.
• Team player and able and willing to perform tasks assigned.