Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri- food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.
The FAO Representation in Ghana is the body in charge of ensuring liaison between FAO and the Government of Ghana and is the first port of call for analysing and appraising government assistance requests; identifying, formulating, implementing and monitoring all FAO programmes and projects; managing all phases of the project cycle for national projects for which operational and budget holder responsibilities have been assigned by the Technical Cooperation Department; identifying opportunities for collaboration, and mobilizing technical and operational support from the Regional Office, Headquarters and other funding sources as appropriate
The Government of Ghana and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations with funding support of the European Union (EU) is implementing EU Food Security Response in Northern Ghana (GCP/GHA/040/EC) project (2023-2026) targeting at least 10000 households. The project is being implemented over three agricultural seasons to increase crop and livestock production, including 6 000 maize farmers who will be supported to produce 18 000 Mt of maize over three years in targeted districts; 2 400 millet farmers who will be supported to produce 5,184 Mt of millet; and 4 200 sorghum farmers to produce 8 517 Mt of sorghum over the three years in the targeted districts. In addition, farmers, especially women and youth, and value chain actors will be supported with capacity and access to post-harvest technologies along the groundnut, soybean and vegetable (tomato) value chains with farmers’ capacity on climate change adaptation among others enhanced. An integrated approach to sustainable food production and the resilience of food systems has become all-time important than ever.
The project will promote crop-specific, agro-ecological systems and approaches and support the sustainable development of maize, millet, sorghum, soyabean, groundnut, vegetables (tomato), poultry, piggery value chains. In selected project locations, direct agricultural inputs provision, accompanied by support to climate-adapted agricultural practices, provision of improved grain storage technologies, training on post-harvest practices, promotion of organic fertilizer use, provision of solar powered irrigation solutions and application of other climate sensitive and sustainable agri-techniques, promotion of integrated pests and diseases management approaches and facilitation of access to market as well as value addition for crops produced will help in resolving some of the production and post-harvest bottlenecks and contribute to achieving food security, and enhanced resilience to future shocks and disasters.
Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Ghana in close collaboration with the Programme/Operations/Administrative Units and in consultation with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO and other relevant Technical Units in the Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Sub- Regional Office for Western Africa (SFW) and headquarters).

Technical Focus 

Lead, coordinate, and manage the project implementation and activities, including its day-to-day running, ensuring fruitful collaboration among various ministries, institutions, and community stakeholders to contribute to resilient livelihoods for reduced vulnerability and rural poverty in Northern Ghana.  Specifically:
•    Lead the preparation of detailed work plans/budgets and monitor their implementation to ensure the quality and timeliness of project delivery – including the identification of constraints and issues caused by the changing context, timely solutions, and corrective actions.
•    Lead the coordination of the project operational structure and Programme Management Unit (PMU).
•    Lead the inception phase and baseline study to define the targets, as well as detailed plans for project implementation, including personnel, operations and procurement of goods and services.
•    Support the recruitment, appraise the performance, and provide guidance to the project staff.
•    Assure the preparation of required reports as per the rules and regulations of FAO for transmission to FAO and EU.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide leadership for the coordination and management of the project implementation and activities, including its day-to-day running, ensuring fruitful collaboration among various ministries, institutions, and community stakeholders, taking into account in-country multi-stakeholder engagement frameworks and/or existing arrangements.
•    Lead the monitoring and ensure the timely performance and delivery of all project activities in line with expected results and relevant expected outcomes under the EUD Strategy.
•    Coordinate the team in the implementation of a dedicated strategy to deepen CSOs, women, PwDs and community participation and contributions to the project implementation.
•    Lead the identification and recruitment of other consultants and resource persons/experts in support of project delivery.
•    Promote and sustain strategic partnerships, strengthen collaboration at national, sub-national and non-state actor levels.
•    Undertake processes for preparation and implementation of LoAs/DBGs under the project.
•    In line with the project formulation and objectives, study, propose and undertake actions to support FAO, EU and Government strategic engagement and contribution to Ghana’s Food and Nutrition Security.
•    Identify and project success stories and lessons learnt during from the project implementation including to contributing to public information, visibility, and communication products.
•    Lead the preparation of periodic reports, assessments, and technical documents, including but not limited to, project progress and monitoring reports, Project Terminal Report implementation reports, letters of agreement, terms of references, and speeches.
•    Plan and execute workshops and other meetings.
•    Contribute to the implementation of Ghana’s Country Programming Framework (CPF) Priorities such as on “Sustainable Natural Resource Management for a Safe, Secure and Productive Environment” and CPF Priority 3: Resilient Livelihoods for reduced Vulnerability and Rural Poverty.
•    Perform any other duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Food Security, Agricultural Economics, or other fields related to the FAO mandate
•    Ten years of relevant experience of a progressively responsible and nature in food security information analysis, planning and technical cooperation in food and agriculture, especially in emergency settings
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese or Russian)

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Work experience in more than one area of work, particularly in field positions is essential.
•    Demonstrated experience in the management of international and national multi-disciplinary teams particularly in field positions and familiarity with the region and protracted crises.
•    Extent and relevance of experience (at least 5 years’ experience) in evidence-based resilience and humanitarian programming, in humanitarian information management.
•    Demonstrated experience in Food security assessment and analysis in several countries and strong knowledge in major Analysis system (IPC in particular);
•    Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding multi-stakeholder processes;
•    Demonstrated ability to liaise and build partnerships with UN, NGO, and government institutions;
•    Relevant experience managing projects in FAO and or funded by EU is considered a strong asset;
•    Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work.