Project Manager - Forest Flavors

Job Summary:

CRS Ghana is shifting toward a more catalytic role by aiming to introduce Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches to strengthen cocoa and shea value chains, create sustainable jobs for youth, and enhance internal capacity for market-driven programming. The Ghana project will build on the SPICES work in Madagascar which has transitioned to a larger Forest Flavors umbrella initiative allowing the CP to participate and leverage similar work in other countries.

You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the Forest Flavors Ghana interventions under the market systems development strategy project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure that the CP delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this project. This position will report to the Director for Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Landscape and will be based in Tamale, Ghana, with frequent travel across Northern, Western and Bono East Regions of Ghana.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• You will lead technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities through most of the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
• Provide technical leadership on Market Systems Development (MSD), youth employment, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, and landscape restoration.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with COCOBOD, Ghana, Forestry Commission, private sector buyers (OFI, ECOM, etc.), local government, financial institutions, and research organizations.
• Determine activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews and follow-up with partners on timely submission of financial reports to facilitate proper tracking of resource use.
• Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure project files are complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities.
• Ability to contribute to written reports
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Good experience in project grants management, including project design, preferably for grants from multiple public donors, including international donors.
• Experience engaging with partner organizations
• Staff management experience and abilities that are conducive to a learning environment.

Required Languages - Proficient in English Language.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Snr Project Officer, Project officers

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Agric Technical Advisor, Agric Program Director, Head of Programming, Snr Project MEAL Officer, Grant Manager, and Snr Project Officers

External: Field Agents, local partner management and project officers, other consortium member staff located in the region, District stakeholders, and other local

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics, Agricultural Extension, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Development Finance, Entrepreneurship, or a related field is required. A master’s degree in a relevant discipline is an added advantage.
• Minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project management, preferably in agriculture financing, cocoa and shea value chains, Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC), Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), agribusiness development, or NGO programming.

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan. Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role. CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.