The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The project, Support to cocao value chain Development in Ghana, is being implemented in Ghana under The Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI). The project is being implemented by FAO Ghana under the overall supervision of Mr James Tefft, Senior Economist, and Mr Yurdi Yasmi, FAO Representative for Ghana.

The FAO Investment Centre (CFI) aims to be the go-to place for investment and finance solutions that lead to more efficient, sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems. Working in over 120 countries, CFI provides a full suite of investment and finance support to FAO Members. It partners with governments, international financial institutions, national and international organizations, the private sector, research institutions, academia and producer organizations to improve the quality and quantity of agrifood investment. The Centre’s four main areas of work include support to strategic investment planning and policy, public investment, private investment, and innovative finance. These are complemented by the knowledge of investment and capacity development for investment programmes that serve to share knowledge more widely and position the Centre as a trusted voice on investment and finance.

CFI is a multidisciplinary Centre comprising the Director’s office, which leads on strategy and business development, knowledge management, communication and administration, and five regional services: Asia and the Pacific; Near East and North Africa and, Europe and Central Asia; West and Central Africa; East and Southern Africa; and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI) aims to strengthen the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the cocoa and chocolate sector, by fostering enabling policies and promoting public and private investments in the cocoa value chain. To support the SCI, CFI is collaborating with Governments, European Union (EU) Delegations and FAO Representations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroun, the EU in Brussels, the Secretariat of the Cote d’Ivoire – Ghana Cocoa Initiative, FAO technical divisions and diverse cocoa sector actors to design and implement an integrated set of actions and provide a diverse range of services. While the SCI will focus initially on the three major African cocoa producing countries of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon, its objective is to reach out to other cocoa producer countries in Africa and elsewhere, to engage in similar structural reforms in support of sector sustainability. As a lead implementation partner, FAO will design and implement this support in a flexible and demand-driven manner by which National Governments European Union Delegations, cocoa sector stakeholders and relevant development partners including financial institutions will articulate and agree to priority interventions, which are coherent with national goals and Initiative objectives. The initiative will thus support different stakeholders to build on the consensus that is emerging among producing countries, industry representatives, cocoa smallholders and European consumers to link increases in cocoa farmers’ revenues to a clear commitment to halt deforestation and eliminate child labour, while promoting social inclusion and gender equality.

The post is located in the FAO Representation, FRGHA, in Accra, Ghana. The incumbent will support SCI activities in the country of assignment.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall technical supervision of the SCI Lead Technical Officer, and FAO Representative for Ghana.

Technical Focus

Provision of technical and coordination support to the monitoring and implementation of the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI) in Ghana. The incumbent will also support evidence generation/research activities related to establishment and implementation of the Ghana Cocoa Monitor and explore synergies on the SCI with other cocoa related activities in the FAO Ghana Country Office.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Serve as the national focal point for the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative (SCI) providing technical and coordination support in the monitoring and implementation of the programme in Ghana.
• Contribute to and support the implementation of SCI annual work plan activities in the country.
• Contribute to the design, planning and implementation of research and evidence generation activities under the SCI.
• Identify and explore opportunities for FAO implication in ongoing actions under the SCI for example in the dissemination of the national cocoa strategy, implementation of the Cocoa Management System, implementation of the national deforestation risk management tool, etc.
• Coordinate correspondence with the European Union Delegation in Ghana, the FAO Representation, as well as with the FAO Investment Centre, providing regular feedback and updates on the progress of activities in the country.
• Contribute to the prioritisation, planning and delivery of diverse communication products in support of the SCI.
• Coordinate preparation, drafting and finalization of written outputs/deliverables (e.g., draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports, inputs to publications, country documents and overall SCI documentation) in accordance with governments and financing partners’ requirements.
• Identify synergies and opportunities for collaboration between the SCI and ongoing work of the FAO country office in the cocoa sector.
• Provide support for the implementation or execution of FAO Investment Centre initiatives/activities within the country office, as may be required
• Provide support to any others activities related to SCI in Ghana, as may be required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree (preferably a Master’s degree) in Agricultural Economics, Natural resource management or Economics, or other relevant discipline with a combination of additional 5 years of relevant professional experience in cocoa sector in Ghana.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in project coordination.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National or Resident of Ghana.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in participating in multidisciplinary teams for the preparation of strategies and sector studies as well as formulation, implementation support or evaluation of food security, agriculture, rural development, natural resource management and value chain development.
• Extent and relevance of experience of cocoa value chains and cross-cutting policy issues is highly desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience in investment design, implementation support and evaluation procedures of FAO’s main development partners, in particular the European Union.
• Demonstrated strong network and working relationship with government and relevant stakeholders in the cocoa sector is an asset.
• Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English.
• Limited knowledge of one or two local dialects in the Coastal Landscape of Ghana is considered an asset.
• Experience working in the UN agencies is considered an advantage.