Market and Value Chain Coordinator - iDE Ghana

iDE is an international not-for-profit NGO with a unique business approach to poverty eradication. For 36 years around the world—and 10 years in Ghana — iDE has pioneered innovative market-based approaches to improve access to safe water and sanitation and increase agricultural incomes.

iDE Ghana designs to context sustainable social enterprises in Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Agriculture. Our unique and collective passion to create new market opportunities is unlocking the potential of local entrepreneurs all over the country. Through innovating affordable products and services for our customers we are making a profound social impact in the communities that we live, love and serve.

We currently employ or contract more than 200 people across 41 districts in Ghana.

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Job Description

A social enterprise in the WASH & Agric sector is recruiting a Market and Value Chain Coordinator (MVCC) to be based in Tamale.

• Team: Agric
• Job Title: Market & Value Chain Coordinator
• Reports to: Agric Programs Manager
• Start Date: 1st July 2022
• Contract End Date: June 2023 (subject to renewal)
• Contract Type: Full Time (Fixed Time)
• Base monthly salary range: GHC 3,500.00 – 4,500.00
• Work location: Tamale with possible day and overnight travels to project operational areas.

Reporting line relationships:

• Reports directly to the Agric Programs Manager
• Work closely with the Gender & Entrepreneur Coordinator, Agronomist, project management, and the Senior Management Team to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Have an indirect working relationship with the Country Manager/Director related to higher level technical needs.

General Job Description

Under the direct supervision of the Agric Programs Manager, the Market & Value Chain Coordinator will be responsible in developing targeted value chains and market strategy in iDE Ghana’s operational areas to stimulate demand, facilitate the functioning of markets, and inherently develop a strategy to strengthen the capacity of local implementing partners and market actors.

She/He will conduct market research and build the marketing capacity of the iDE Ghana agricultural projects implementation team, other clients and project partners. The holder of the position is also responsible for linking beneficiaries (farmers) to the appropriate market, value chain actors, and favorable market prices for their produce.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities (modifications may be made at any time)

1. Project management:

• Lead the development of Market systems strategy to effectively support the overall objectives of project activities.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, identify and facilitate end-market opportunities for iDE value chain crops and other value-added products.
• Collaborate with program team members to include mainstream and monitor implementation of the project’s market systems, gender equality & social inclusion, and climate-smart strategies towards sustainability of project interventions.
• Work with the program team to test and improve iDE Ghana strategies to meet project deliverables through the engagement of market actors.
• Provide technical support to project team and specialists on areas of cooperatives, markets, value chain and project management related issues.
• Contribute to periodic progress reports, monitoring reports, and case studies to meet the in-house and donor reporting requirements.
• Contribute enhanced visibility of the project, implementing partners on different forms and formats at different levels, where applicable.

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2. Strengthening capacity of project partners and beneficiaries:

• Provide expert advice, leadership, and strengthen core capacities of Farm Business Advisors (FBAs) in developing innovative business services, new business partnerships, market-oriented business responses and effective market information system for value creation and impact to the beneficiaries.
• Identify and enhance relationships with market actors across iDE Small Holder Farmers (SHF) Value Chains.
• Prepare and implement an action plan on support provisions to VSLA groups, FBAs, and farmers.
• Support the FBAs to prepare business plans, operational plans, and other relevant policy documents, for their smooth implementation.
• Plan and manage the implementation of learning program (trainings, workshops, exposure visits), marketing, and value chain development
• Identify potential market actors and business development service providers and connect with FBAs for assured market and services.

3.Stakeholder engagement and partners coordination:

• Develop new contacts and maintain partnerships with stakeholders, businesses, and institutions willing to partner and establish opportunities to leverage their activities to enhance the targeted value chains.
• Coordinate and liaise with different Universities/Institutions for collaboration in research and internship placements.
• Coordinate and collaborate with Federal government, Local government and other development partners for better market linkage and value chain development initiatives.
• Continuously recommend strategic ideas and solutions that promote inclusive, competitive, and resilient conditions across market actors and stakeholders.
• Explore and collaborate with commodity associations, entrepreneurs’ associations, cooperative
• federations/associations on possible areas of interventions.
• Represent, with consent from Programs Manager, the project at different meetings and events at different levels, where necessary.

4.Planning and monitoring of project interventions and knowledge management:

• Advise on organizing planned activities for marketing and value chain development of selected produce in consultation with project.
• Plan and conduct gross-margin analysis and other relevant socio-economic studies in collaboration with Agronomist and Evidence and Analytics Unit.
• With assistance from Evidence & Analytics Data & Systems Manager, develop data collection tools and techniques for monitoring of project related interventions including marketing volume and value of commodities at commercial pocket centers and cooperatives.
• Develop relevant training and extension materials, manuals, articles and guidelines related to agricultural marketing; cooperative/commercial pocket centers management and value chain upgrading.
• Develop, in consultation with project team, the value chain grant guideline and support on its operationalization; and
• Document best practices and lessons learnt of the project and support to replicate it.

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Required Skills or Experience

• Graduated from university with at least Bachelor’s degree in agriculture productions, rural development, marketing and value chain or other relevant areas
• At least 5 years of working experience in the field of agriculture value chain, market linkage, marketing, and commercial pocket center management.
• Sound understanding of agricultural policies and agriculture research, development, and extension systems of Ghana.
• Demonstrated capacity on design and implementation of agricultural value chain development.
• Ability to interconnect with a team of multidisciplinary professionals.
• Good understanding of iDE’s rules and procedures
• Driven to achieve results.
• Able to work under pressure without complaining
• Excellent spoken and written English
• Able to work in a multi-cultural team
• High level of empathy and patience
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic
• Confident, organized, and good communication skills
• Willingness to take on additional areas of responsibility relevant to the role
• A high level of commitment to IDE’s values and objectives
• A highly responsible approach to all tasks