Socodevi Recruitment 2022

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified candidates for Socodevi Recruitment 2022.

SOCODEVI supports cooperatives and helps them to consolidate as catalysts of inclusive, sustainable socio-economic development.

We are recruiting to fill the following position below:

Job Title: Agricultural Risk Management Specialist, TogetHER Project

Project Description

The TogetHER Project aims to empower women and young adults (18-30 years old) in rural cocoa-producing communities in the Ashanti and Western North regions of Ghana. Training and support will encourage collective savings, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion while contributing to the sustainable resilience of the cocoa sector and the equal distribution of economic benefits and opportunities.

This project aims to reduce gender gaps in the cocoa sector and encourage resource flows at the community level so that cocoa cooperatives can become more inclusive, foster women and youth equal and effective participation, and truly sustain their empowerment. Through this project, SOCODEVI is leading the way in transforming existing cooperatives to be more inclusive and resilient in collaboration with all levels of government in Ghana.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Project Director and working closely with the Principal Coordinator & Finance Specialist and the ARM team in SOCODEVI Head Office, the Agricultural Risk Management Specialist manages risk for producers by identifying, analyzing, and advising regarding decisions on various risks to which cooperatives/organizations and individual farmers are exposed (production, financial, market, human and institutional risks).

The successful candidate will work in partnership with Ghana Cocoa Board, the Department of Cooperatives, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources/Forestry Commission, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to provide technical assistance to cooperatives to achieve the project targets which include but are not limited to;

• Analyze agricultural data and government agency reports to conduct risk assessments for clients to improve the resilience of agricultural households in the cocoa communities;
• Look at the impact that climate, pests, disease, ecological conditions, and other factors could have on crop production and develop risk management strategies to mitigate these risks;
• Find strategies to reduce financial and market risks within different value chains associated with cocoa agroforestry systems. Use software to create models to look at hedge effectiveness, trends, and price sensitivities for different scenarios;
• Develop, monitor, and communicate risk management strategies for cooperatives, farmers, and project partners;
• Develop weather forecasts and financial forecasts for farmers to aid in decision-making;
• Provide hedging strategy recommendations with varying risk tolerances;
• Monitor commodity prices and potential threats to prices.

Skills/Experience

• A Master’s degree in agronomy, agricultural business, accounting, finance, or a related field is a base requirement.  A master’s degree in business administration, risk management, or related field may be preferred;
• A minimum of 4 to 5 years of experience and/or familiarity with environmental management systems, agricultural data management, farmers’ training, agroforestry practices, and GIS and other data management tools and systems would be an asset. Experience in the cocoa sector is an added advantage;
• Ability to communicate complex information in understandable and relevant terms adapted for different stakeholders, especially farmers, women, youth, small communities, and cooperatives;
• Proven project coordination skills with the ability to effectively manage and prioritize a diverse workload within a team;
• Demonstrated experience in adult training (andragogy) and participatory methodologies in rural contexts;
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and/or knowledge of gender equality would be an asset;
• Excellent command of English is essential. This position carries considerable responsibility and autonomy and requires good organizational capacity, good interpersonal and networking skills, and a willingness to work as part of a team;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially email communications;
• Advanced computer skills (Windows, MS Office, SharePoint).

Working conditions

SOCODEVI offers competitive compensation, a full range of benefits, and a great work team.

• The one-year contract is renewable annually;
• Regular working hours: 8 hours a day from Monday through Friday, for a total of 40 hours/week;
• Salary will be paid on a monthly basis (on the 30th day of the month);
• 20 working days of annual leave per calendar year. The annual leave is earned at the rate of 1.67 days per month;
• Periodic meetings could be held in Kumasi, Wiawso, or Accra;
• Working during evenings and weekends might happen when necessary but shouldn’t be frequent.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and current resume with 3 referees to: [email protected]

Job Title: Environmental and Forestry Specialist

Project Description

SOCODEVI contributes to improving the living conditions of communities by supporting the creation and strengthening of sustainable and inclusive cooperative or mutual companies.

The TogetHER Project aims to empower women and young adults (18-30 years old) in rural cocoa-producing communities in the Ashanti and Western North regions of Ghana. Training and support will encourage collective savings, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion while contributing to the sustainable resilience of the cocoa sector and the equal distribution of economic benefits and opportunities.

This project aims to reduce gender gaps in the cocoa sector and encourage resource flows at the community level so that cocoa cooperatives can become more inclusive, foster women and youth equal and effective participation, and truly sustain their empowerment. Through this project, SOCODEVI is leading the way in transforming existing cooperatives to be more inclusive and resilient in collaboration with all levels of government in Ghana.

Job Summary 

Reporting to the Project Director and working closely with the Principal Coordinator and Finance Specialist and the Environment team in SOCODEVI Head Office, the Environmental & Forestry Specialist will work in partnership with Ghanaian Ministry, Departments, and Institutions involved in the Cocoa Value Chain to provide technical assistance to cooperatives to achieving the project targets which include but are not limited to;

• Understand, comprehend, and produce necessary knowledge materials on important national/institutional natural resources and conservation policies that have environmental implications for the cocoa sector;
• Provide guidance to policy issues with respect to forestry and biodiversity conservation and analysis of issues that are affecting the cocoa sector;
• Provide technical advice on forest-related project activities to ensure that the activities in each output area are timely, efficiently, and effectively implemented in accordance with the project document and work plan;
• Liaise with relevant members of staff, consultants, Socodevi technical staff, COCOBOD, and Forestry Commission as necessary to ensure efficient and effective implementation of project outputs;
• Support timely submission of project/progress reports and in the preparation of other reports as may be required.

Skills/Experience

• This position requires a strong background (at least a B.Sc.) in Environmental Management, Forestry, or Natural Resource Management with at least 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in Ghana’s forestry and agriculture sectors.
• Experience and/or familiarity with environmental management systems, farmer training, agroforestry practice, and GIS and other data management tools and systems would be an asset.
• Experience in policy-related issues with respect to forestry and biodiversity conservation and analysis of issues that are affecting the cocoa sector i.e. tree tenure rights, land tenure, land use planning, etc.
• Ability to communicate complex information in understandable and relevant terms adapted for different stakeholders, especially communities.
• Proven project coordination skills with the ability to effectively manage and prioritize a diverse workload within a team.
• Excellent command of English is essential.
• The successful candidate will be expected to undertake fieldwork.
• This position carries considerable responsibility and autonomy and requires good organizational capacity, good interpersonal and networking skills, and a willingness to work as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially email communications.
• Advanced computer skills (Windows, MS Office, Sharepoint).

How to Apply

Interested applicants should Send a cover letter, and current resume with 3 referees to: [email protected]