RUFA FOCUS AFRICA (RUFA) is a local non-governmental organization (LNGO) was incorporated in 2021. The vision of RUFA is ‘to contribute to total economic and social emancipation of women and youth in rural Africa’. The mission of RUFA is ‘to support women and youth in the rural Africa, in the areas of health and economic empowerment to enable them to realize their full economic potentials and promote good and healthy lifestyles. RUFA is headquartered in Kasoa in the Central Region of Ghana and has offices in the Volta and Bono East.

Role Description

RUFA looking for a Project Officers to implement the Financial Inclusion for Last Mile Actors Program (FILMA) as local partner for the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the following districts in the Volta Region of Ghana: Hohoe, Ketu North, South Tongu and North Tongu

FILMA aims to address the barriers that prevent disadvantaged persons, particularly young women, and men in underserved or unserved communities, engaged in economic activities in the Agriculture and Agriculture-Adjacent Sector also known as the Last Mile Actors (LMAs), from accessing and using Inclusive Financial Services including credit, insurance, pensions, savings, and investments

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer (PO) will oversee the direct implementation of project activities on the field. The PO will supervise field activities of Private Agricultural Service Providers (PASPs) to ensure smooth community and beneficiary selection in the district. Under the FILMA, PO will guide Private Agriculture Service Providers (PASPs) in the step-by-step implementation of FILMA project.

In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Project Officer, will lead field staff during data collection activities and support data entry as needed. The Project Officer will also be responsible for managing relationships at community level and will work closely with external and internal stakeholders, including local government departments, communities, and relevant CRS programs and support teams.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Support community entry, sensitization, formation and training of VSLAs in 4 Districts in the Volta region.

• Lead and support the community selection process for the FILMA project,

• Community entry and sensitization in 40 communities to select 5,000 LMAs into 200 SILCs/VSLAs.

• Formation of 200 SILC/VSLAs (4 SILCs/VSLAs per community of 25 members per group)

• Support PASPs in identifying and registering vulnerable households to target FILMA

• Providing field-level oversight of protection and safeguarding risks associated with FILMA project and escalating any concerns according to CRS Safeguarding Policy

• Support PASPs to quickly resolve any challenges related to project implementation that may arise in the community.

• Identify challenges in the implementation of project activities with the field team and offer ideas for potential solutions and escalate issues that pose risks to program quality and successful implementation.

• Support the MEAL officer to collect information for weekly and monthly reports, schedule field visits and develop quarterly work plans.

• Support the collection of regular monitoring data including but not limited to light monitoring, observation forms, attendance sheets, and activity tracking, utilizing multiple methods to collect quantitative and qualitative data.

• Participate in project learning and reflection events.

Teamwork and Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with project participants, community leaders, and other community members and stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with CRS colleagues and promote an office atmosphere that promotes professional development.

• Foster positive relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, service providers, vendors, NGOs and other actors in the district.

Required Languages – Fluent in the Local languagein that district required. Working knowledge of English.

Travel– The position will be based at the district level, with up to 80% travels to project communities, and 20 % at the RUFA office in Kasoa-CR.

Qualifications

• High School required/Diploma, HND/Bachelor degree a plus.

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in project support, ideally in the Agriculture. Experience with an international organization a plus.

• At least 2 years’ experience in motor-bike driven.

• Additional education may substitute for some experience.

• Computer skills required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures

• Proven skills in facilitating community training, community mobilization, conducting needs assessments, data collection, and writing activity reports of project activities

• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented

• Excellent communication and good judgment with regard to problem solving

• Strong sensitivity and respect for local cultures

• Professional manner in dealing with community members and co-workers.

• Strong listening and interpersonal skills