Senior Agriculture Specialist, Ghana - TechnoServe

TechnoServe is implementing the Economic Diversification for Ghanaians living in Ellembelle (EDGE) program. The EDGE program will improve household food security and economic opportunities for 600 beneficiaries by strengthening their ability to participate in selected agricultural value chains and supporting high potential entrepreneurs to launch or grow their businesses.

The Senior Agriculture Specialist will oversee the agricultural component of the program with support from the Program Manager. The Senior Agriculture Specialist will foster business relationships with off-takers, input suppliers, and local financial institutions. S/He will oversee and mentor teams of Business Advisor and Associate Business Advisor.

• Provide agricultural sector expertise to support program team in the implementation and management of the agriculture component
• Oversee and support the program team in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of program objectives
• Promote the adoption of good agricultural practices and provide technical assistance to different sustainability initiatives to facilitate quality project delivery
• Define strategy and priorities to support the growth of supported micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the primary production of selected agricultural value chains
• Coordinate the procurement of project starter packs with Admin and Procurement Officer
  Identify and collaborate with other programs to leverage synergies across programs and across geographies.
• Lead and supervise teams of colleagues and/or junior experts by providing coaching and support necessary for success and growth
• Identify and help overcome challenges and other barriers for team effectiveness.
• Provide support for marketing and systemic challenges to financial inclusion for rural farmers
• Support implementation of the M&E plan in conjunction with program team and other implementing partners
• Maintain and operate a management information system of all project training activities and key events that is regularly updated to reflect progress and performance.
• Generate and provide required information and data on all variables and indicators (activity, outcome, and impact levels) required for preparing regular project implementation and progress reports

Required Skills & Experience

•  Bachelor’s Degree + 7 years relevant experience OR Master’s Degree + 5 years relevant experience in agricultural production with smallholder farmers and/or Financial Inclusion is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership and management experience
• Leadership, management, and team playing competencies, with an ability to inspire and motivate others
• Ability to embrace change and lead transformation processes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with a proven ability to convey information clearly and concisely
• Ability to coordinate interdepartmental efforts to achieve common goals in a timely manner
• Proven organizational skills with a genuine ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail
• Demonstrate a strong sense of integrity, objectivity, and confidentiality
• Solutions-oriented; Ability to identify and understand issues and triangulate information to draw conclusions and develop appropriate solutions.
• Willingness to travel to remote rural locations; field-based operations experience preferred