Feed the Future Coordinator - Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes international peace, friendship and sustainable development by providing trained men and women to serve in local communities.  In Ghana, these trained men and women (Peace Corps Volunteers) work in the areas of Health, Education, and Agriculture. 

Job Description

Number: PC- 22-001

• Position:   Feed the Future Coordinator 
• Office: U. S. Peace Corps, GHANA
• Open to: All Interested Candidates 
• Work hours: 40+ a week 
• Closing Date: April 1, 2022
• Salary: ¢101,168.00 – 156,812.00 PA plus benefits

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PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (PSC) 

The agency in Ghana is seeking to hire a highly-skilled professional to work directly with Peace Corps staff, partners, and PCVs and supports the U.S. Peace Corps mission in Ghana to provide leadership in developing and maintaining a program that contributes to the Post’s goal of nurturing and supporting resilient, culturally sensitive, responsible and able Volunteers.

The Feed the Future Coordinator leads the Partnering to Build Capacity for Resilient Communities initiative program with Peace Corps Ghana in collaboration with an interdisciplinary program and training team to ensure program results meet U.S. Peace Corps objectives.

The Feed the Future (FTF) Coordinator is responsible for 1) project management, 2) training, 3) knowledge management, 4) media relations, 5) Volunteer safety and security, and 6) general support.

The FTF Coordinator leads the Partnering to Build Capacity for Resilient Communities initiative program with Peace Corps Ghana in collaboration with an interdisciplinary program and training team to ensure program results meet U.S. Peace Corps objectives.

The FTF Coordinator reports directly to the Director of Programming and Training of Peace Corps, Ghana. The position supports the activities of approximately 50-60 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), all U.S. citizens, in their successful integration and Health and Agriculture outreach throughout Ghana.

The Food Security Coordinator works directly with Peace Corps staff, partners, and PCVs and supports the

U.S. Peace Corps mission in Ghana in the following main areas:

1. Program Management 40%
2. Training 20%
3. Knowledge Management 10%
4. Media Relations 10%
5. Safety and Security 10%
6. General Support 10%

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MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management – 40%

• Collect data and track the Food Security program to ensure activities are in alignment with the goals and objectives of PC Ghana, USAID, the Feed the Future Initiative, while addressing the local needs and national priorities of Ghana;
• Build and maintain healthy relationships with PCVs, Peace Corps staff, the Government of Ghana, Non- Governmental Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, the Ghana private sector, media representatives, and other international stakeholder groups;
• Provide technical support to Peace Corps Volunteers through site visits, phone calls, or during appointments in the office;
• Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator to develop and update a Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) for the FTF project;
• Follow all program reporting requirements as outlined in the Participating Agency Program Agreement between the USAID and Peace Corps Ghana;
• Compile and submit semi-annual and annual progress reports to Peace Corps and USAID;
• Prepare for and compile a final progress report to USAID, when appropriate;
• Coordinate with the Associate Peace Corps Directors for Agriculture, Health, Education, and Training in designing program and training activities;
• Develop and finalize annual work plans with guidance from USAID;
• Plan and coordinate program and training events designed to enhance the capacity of PCVs, counterparts, and relevant stakeholders to implement food security practices;
• Collaborate with the Grants Coordinator to manage PCVs community Food Security grants and projects;

• Provide vision and creative direction to the ongoing development of Food Security/Feed the Future program in a manner that addresses ongoing and emerging food security concerns in Ghana;
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• Manage the Food Security budget in a manner that accurately accounts for all expenditures according to Peace Corps and USAID requirements;
• Work with the Programming and Trainings Logistics Coordinator and appropriate administration staff to ensure timely procurement;
• Work with the Program Manager (PM) for Agriculture to ensure that all food security program activities comply with USAID environmental regulations;
• Consult the DPT and the Country Director (CD) on the Partnering to Build Capacity for Resilient Communities initiative program decisions;
• Respond timely to additional assignments from the DPT or Country Director.

Training – 20%

• Keep up-to-date on new study in the field of food security and revised program policies and provide timely updates to PC Staff and PCVs;
• Collaborate with the Agricultural Team to develop food security curricula that is integrated into PC Ghana’s annual training program;
• Organize and lead Food Security training events for PCVs, Ghanaian counterparts, partners, and PC Staff;

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• Publicize and distribute materials on the progress of Food Security programs to PCVs during training events (PST, IST, etc.);
• Lead the Food Security component during Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop; and
• Lead technical food security training sessions for PCVs, counterparts, PC staff, and partners during regularly scheduled training events;
• Train staff in use of social media tools;
• Train staff, trainees, and volunteers in effective, culturally sensitive and appropriate storytelling, blogging and photography as needed;
• Plan and deliver media sessions for PST, MST, and IST, with an aim to train Volunteers on Peace Corps media policies and expectations.

Knowledge Management – 10%

• Support the design and printing of programs, invitations, toolkits, posters and fact sheets as needed;
• Organize, catalog and maintain communications materials, media (photos and video) and other communications collateral;
• Promote collaborative tools such as communities of practice to facilitate sharing of ideas and work among internal teams (staff and PCV/Ts) and external partners (e.g. USAID IPs, CBOs and GoG) to enhance the activities under the project.

Media Relations – 10%

• Lead the development of strategy and content for Post communications channels, including website, Facebook, Instagram and other electronic forums under the FTF project;
• Collect, document, and publish volunteer successes in collaboration with the Programming and Training team;
• Strengthen and oversee implementation of social media campaigns and content;
• Visit volunteer sites to document best practices and PCVs in action;
• Develop innovative dissemination strategies for internal and external audiences;
• Develop presentations for training, representation and other external purposes;
• Maintain post website and develop content strategy for the project;
• Liaise with USAID and Public Affairs Section at the United States Embassy to share communications content, develop messaging, and engage with the media on the project;
• Ensure all communications information meets PC Ghana’s communication standards, is in line with PC social media policy, and is vetted/approved prior to publishing on websites, social media, etc.

Safety and Security– 10%

• Work closely with the Safety and Security Coordinator to coordinate appropriate site development, selection and placement for PCVs;
• Participate in the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) simulations and implementation of EAP events during actual emergency situations; and
• Employ appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of all PCVs.

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General Support to the Peace Corps Mission– 10%

• Plan and budget for training events in cooperation with the Director of Management and Operations (DMO) and the APCD for Training;
• Account for all Food Security Program related expenses and file appropriate vouchers;
• Co-coordinate the recruitment, selection and hiring process for in-country program contractors (LHPSCs) relevant to the Food Security Program;
• Review, in conjunction with the DMO, SOWs and terms and conditions of contracts with LHPSCs and USPSCs;
• Review expected standards of performance, reporting requirements, lines of authority, lines of communication and contractor evaluation process with LHPSCs and USPSCs; and
• Represent PC - Ghana to GOG and community and international partners.

This position may act as an Occasional Money Handler, as assigned, or be designated at a sub-cashier with appropriate training, to perform work within the scope of duties. The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training sites, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PC trainees or volunteers.

The PSC will not be functioning as procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer; of the Peace Corps Act.
OPR: SS/OO and Global Operations

Safety and Security Duties for all Peace Corps positions:

• Addresses safety and security proactively by ensuring appropriate assignments for Volunteers and adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures.
• Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns or issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the CD.
• Ensures prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.).
• Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites. Incorporates appropriate site-specific safety and security-related information into site history files.
• Ensures designated host country counterparts participate in counterpart orientation/training and are prepared to work with and support Volunteers, including their role in Volunteer safety and security.
• Maintains communication with each Volunteer and solicits periodic feedback, including information about Volunteer safety and security.
• Maintains a calendar of Volunteer site visits, and completes appropriate number of site visits to assess Volunteer progress, safety and security, and to provide technical guidance and moral support.
• Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security, and initiates corrective action as necessary.
• Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Acts as duty officer, as needed.
• Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

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Miscellaneous:

To the extent Contractor operates a US government owned, leased, or rented vehicle (GOV) to perform his or her job duties, Contractor must operate that vehicle safely at all times and only operate it for official business purposes as defined in 31 USC 1334 and Peace Corps MS 522.

Contractor must refrain from texting or from engaging in any behavior that distracts attention from driving safely at any time. Except in an emergency situation, Contractor must not text message (i) when driving a

GOV; (ii) when driving a privately-owned vehicle (POV) while on official government business; or (iii) while using electronic equipment supplied by the government while driving any vehicle (even during off-duty hours). Authorization must be given by the Country Director for any staff to drive a Peace Corps Vehicle.

PSC is expected to adhere to Peace Corps code of conducts as mentioned in the PSC contract with reference to PC Manual Sections and the Ghana Staff Handbook.

Temporary Duties (TDY):

The contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned.

Required Skills or Experience

• Education: Master’s degree in Food Security, Agriculture or related field.
• A minimum of five years in the field of food security or agriculture with direct experience teaching/training adults in community development.
• A minimum of two years of working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Three years of experience in program administration and evaluation.
• Knowledge of adult education techniques, gender analysis, community analysis and project management.
• Ability to develop and manage methods related to creating, sharing, and using the knowledge and information related to the project.
• Ability to write for multiple internal and external audiences.
• Ability to manage media relations strategy and activities.
• Ability to work on a team and maintain good working relationships with Peace Corps Staff and Volunteers/Trainees.
• Ability to develop and maintain mid-level contacts within the host government, international aid agencies and the private sector.
• Ability to employ sound judgment while following organizational guidelines and policies.
• Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, email, PowerPoint and entering information into databases. Working knowledge of internet, and other Social Media tools such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and others for project promotion.

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Desired Qualification

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in Communication Studies, journalism, public relations, or related filed.
• Previous experience as a trainer with Peace Corps training programs or similar international training program.
• Experience working with volunteers.
• Experience with grants management, budget management and/or adhering to external funding guidelines.
• Demonstrates increasing levels of responsibility in media relations, knowledge management systems, processes and procedures and application in the management of projects.