COMPANY OVERVIEW

Opportunity International was founded in 1971 and exists to bring about a measure of justice, dignity and purpose for families living in poverty. We do this by supporting local financial institutions that provide innovative financial solutions to empower people, create small businesses and build vibrant communities.

We serve 12 million hardworking entrepreneurs in 28 countries around the world and have big plans for the world: a world without poverty where people can live with dignity and purpose. Our clients have ambitious dreams for their futures but lack the opportunities needed to make those dreams a reality.

SUMMARY

The Farmer Support Agent (FSA) Network Project Officer will assist Opportunity International (OI) AgFinance team in managing an existing FSA network in Ghana in conjunction with Opportunity's financial institution partners. The FSA Network Project Officer will be responsible for developing and maintaining partner relationships, conducting value chain assessments, identifying key risks, ensuring project deliverables, and proposing recommended solutions to implementation hurdles.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provide Management Support

• Assist the AgFinance team with overall management and administration support of the FSA network models with various partners.
• Take a leading role in ensuring a cordial working relationship with all stakeholders: including farmers, financial institution partners, private sector partners, Ghanaian government staff, and international government staff where relevant.
• Monitor the data collection activities of the FSAs & provide technical support where necessary.
• Provide troubleshooting and systems support to the partners & FSAs utilizing the client management system (CMS).
• Facilitate the regular FSA training of trainer (TOT) sessions in coordination with the project partners.
• Work with partners to aggregate and organize relevant training content
• Ensure the effective delivery of the FSA led trainings at the farmer group level.
• Identify hurdles & bottle necks to the success of the model and where possible suggest and implement solutions.

Partner Coordination

• Develop a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of project partners. Determine if the model can be improved to better accommodate partner objectives.
• Lead on effective use of data, ensuring value addition for OI and all partners, and work with Financial Institution partner staff to pursue common goals in developing and growing business through the project.
• Develop a good working relationship with FI partner agricultural finance staff as well as a good working knowledge of the financial products offered.
• To coordinate with FI partner branches to ensure that there is seamless communication regarding on-the-ground factors that may affect project success.
• To be the liaison between FI partners and OI, ensuring that there is alignment in project purpose and goals.

Reporting

• Support data collection for the development of internal and external narrative reports. Regularly monitor data integrity, analytics, and output metrics; identify data needs and produce monthly reports to share with relevant partners.
• Work with the OI AgFinance team to develop effective management reporting systems & procedures.
• Weekly update reports to OI AgFinance management noting progress on project deliverables as well as challenges faced.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Assist OI in conducting impact assessments using monitoring and evaluation tools developed by OI.
• Monitor progress against logical framework indicators.
• Track client success stories.
• Report into OI with data on impact, to assess the effectiveness, scalability, and impact of the new products and to recommend any further refinement.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or Diploma in agriculture, business, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agriculture, working with smallholder farmer groups. Preferably at a management or supervisory level.
• Project management skills to effectively perform activities/tasks in a manner that consistently achieves high standards.
• Interpersonal skills to develop and maintain business networks and to effectively communicate with other stakeholders who impact performance.
• Strategic awareness to contribute to the strategy of growing business for partner Financial Institutions.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office applications, and Android Apps. Must be able to demonstrate competency.
• Self-empowerment to enable development of open communication, teamwork and trust that are needed to support performance and customer-service oriented culture in agriculture.
• Relevant professional qualifications in agriculture, microfinance, banking, ICT, extension services, finance, or marketing provide added advantage.
• Commitment to the vision and mission of Opportunity International.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Oral and written fluency in English is required, ability to also speak Twi. Applicants must be able to attend and fully participate in meetings conducted in English.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Client Services Manager
• Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited Management team and Branch Staff
• Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans Limited Management team and Branch Staff

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Position to be based in Kumasi with frequent domestic travel (50%) throughout project areas.

Apply at: https://opportunityinternational.applytojob.com/apply/3r6yXvCXlB/Farmer-Support-Agent-Project-Officer?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget