Peace Corps Ghana

November 2017

JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. PEACE CORPS

November 27, 2017

Number: PC 18-002

Position: Programming and Training Specialist – Agriculture Sector

Office: U. S. Peace Corps

Open to: All Interested Candidates

Work hours: 40 + a week

Closing Date: December 22, 2017 by 5:00pm

Starting Salary: 46,109GHC (plus benefits)

PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTOR (PSC)

The Peace Corps is a United States federal agency that promotes world peace and friendship by providing trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance. In Ghana, Volunteers serve in local communities in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

The agency is seeking to hire the services of a highly motivated and experienced individual for the Programming and Training Specialist (PTS) position to provide programmatic knowledge, technical knowledge and management support for all the Volunteers in the field. The candidates must have sector specific experience in the Agriculture, good interpersonal skills and cross-cultural skills and must be able to work under pressure. In addition, the incumbent must have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010.

This is a permanent, full-time position and will report through the APCD Sector Leader to the Director of Programming and Training (DPT). The PTS – Agriculture Sector will be based in Tamale.

Desired Qualifications and Statement of Work:

·  Please see the attached Desired and Required Qualifications, and the Statement of Work.

Compensation:

·  Competitive

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

Application materials (Cover Letter, CV, other documents that directly support qualifications based on the Statement of Work) may be submitted in any one of the following two ways:

Email:

Mail: US Peace Corps

PO Box 5796

Accra North

Accra, Ghana

U. S. Peace Corps – Ghana

Programming and Training Specialist - Agriculture

Number of Positions: 1

Duty Station: Tamale

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·  Education: Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture related field. Coursework in project management, community development or field related to Peace Corps’ projects;

·  Experience: four years progressively responsible experience in the field of agriculture; experience teaching/training adults in community development and project management

·  Language: Excellent spoken and written English

·  Knowledge: Knowledge of adult education techniques, gender analysis, community analysis and project management.

·  Abilities: Ability to work on a team and maintain good working relationships with Peace Corps Staff and Volunteers/Trainees. Ability to develop and maintain mid-level contacts within the host government, international aid agencies and the private sector. Ability to render advice employing sound judgment within Peace Corps guidelines.

·  Experience working in a cross-cultural setting preferably with Americans.

·  Demonstrate high professional standards in the ability to:

o  Serve on a team;

o  Be analytical, well organized and creative;

o  Compile and write reports;

o  Communicate effectively with PCVs, staff, and partners;

o  Use computer systems;

o  Understand PC Ghana policies and procedures, especially those relevant to area of specialization; and

o  Respect different cultures and divergent viewpoints.

·  A valid Ghanaian Driver’s License (Class C authorization and above)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·  Master’s degree in Agriculture related field

·  Experience working in a fast-paced, demanding environment

·  Knowledge and understanding of US values and culture

·  Experience working with U.S. Peace Corps or similar international development organization

All application materials, including a Cover Letter and CV, must be received in the Accra office no later than 5:00pm on December 22, 2017. Any applications received after this time will not be considered for employment.

U.S. PEACE CORPS GHANA

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Programming and Training Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The U.S. Peace Corps is an agency that promotes world peace and friendship and by providing trained men and women, Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to serve in countries that have requested assistance. In PC Ghana, the Program and Training Specialist (PTS) works as part of an interdisciplinary Programming and Training Team and provides support to ensure that PC Ghana’s Training, Education, Health and Agriculture Programs are performing optimally. The PTS implements approved activities providing continuing programming and training support for staff and Volunteers and works under the general supervision of the Associate Peace Corps Director/ Program Manager (APCD/PM). During the pre-service training cycle (PST), the PTS will be the full time lead technical trainer for his/her project area and take direction from the Training Manager. The PTS is assigned to a specific region and/or sector of operation where they perform the majority of their duties. PTS supports the U.S. Peace Corps mission in Ghana in the following main areas:

1.  Project and Program Support 40%

2.  Administrative and Volunteer Support: 40%

3.  Training 15%

4.  General Service 5%

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Project and Program Support (40%)

  1. Responsible for collaborating with the Program Manager/APCD in the preparation and review of project documentation, project plans, ministry/host agency agreement and recruiting and evaluating materials.

·  Assist in compiling Project Status Reports (PSRs), writing periodic and annual reports, and participates in project plan reviews;

·  Promote Peace Corps’ programs within the context of the Government of Ghana’s development priorities. Contribute programmatic input to IPBS and Ops Plan development.

  1. Responsible for carrying out site identification and Volunteer visits individually or in conjunction with the Program Manager/APCD.

·  Carries out thorough site identification to ensure that prospective sites meet the minimum criteria for safe housing and overall safety and security

·  Advises APCD, DPT and SSM of any safety and security concerns identified during site development and during Volunteer visits.

  1. Organizes and implements conferences, national and regional workshops preparing all needed documentation, such as agenda, quotes and budgets. Obtains necessary approvals from the Director of Management and Operations, Director of Programming and Training, and Country Director. Participates in the workshops and other training events.
  2. Provides technical assistance and guidance to the Volunteers through site visits, phone calls, e-mails, or during appointments in the office. Assists PC staff to plan and revise trek schedules;
  3. Provide program support and ensure that PCVs are safe, engaged in meaningful work, and living well in their communities;
  4. Respond to PCV field reports and issues in your region/sector when appropriate;
  5. Responsible for maintaining and updating all site files with current information.
  6. Responsible for inputting information for Programming and Training in VIDA

Administrative and Volunteer Support (40%)

  1. Motivate and support Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs);
  2. Build and maintain healthy relationships with PCVs, Peace Corps staff, and partners;
  3. Assist PCVs in project implementation and development, including development of secondary activities;
  4. Counsel PCVs on technical and cross-cultural issues;
  5. Write award nominations, letters of recommendation, or performance plans when relevant; and
  6. Respond timely to additional assignments from the Director of Programming and Training or the Country Director.
  7. Responsible for preparing documentation for Volunteer travel to project workshops, groups meetings, conferences, project and administrative travel, in order to maintain correct information regarding sector expenses
  8. Responsible for maintaining project libraries by technical area used by Volunteers in conjunction with APCD.
  9. Provides safety and security guidance and support to Volunteers and Trainees
  10. Advises Volunteers and Trainees on travel regulations and arrangements, and orients them regarding payment conditions. Works directly with Volunteer Support Administrator for knowledge of travel allowance calculations and revisions
  11. Is knowledgeable of and able to advise Volunteers and Trainees on Peace Corps and Peace Corps Ghana policies.
  12. Performs administrative support duties as requested and assigned.
  13. Responds to PCVs via e-mail/phone/whatsapp requests within 24 hours.
  14. Occasional cash carrier: The PTS may be requested to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training site or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer.
  15. Other duties as assigned

Development and Implementation of Training Activities (15%)

  1. Assumes role as technical trainer approximately one month before Pre-Service Training to develop the different aspects and activities of trainings.
  2. Is a key member of the Project team in the development and implementation of PST activities. Coordinates with the Training Manager (TM) and Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators on all technical aspects of the training.
  3. Performs necessary pre-training research as defined in coordination with the APCD and TM. Provides input to develop the Calendar of Training Events.
  4. Performs technical training, practical and classroom instructions, and field activities for Trainees. Provides support to Trainees by serving to guide them during their cultural and language adjustments.
  5. Assists with the identification, selection, and preparation of the Community Based Training (CBT) site in coordination with the APCD/DPT and TM. During the CBT period serves as liaison with the host community.
  6. Provides input to the TM for the development of requisitions, supplies, materials needed to support technical activities during the Community Based and Field Based portions of training.
  7. Collaborates with language facilitators and APCD to lead periodic assessments of Trainees progress during PST.

General Services 5%

·  Perform general office management;

·  Conduct facilities’ maintenance duties when appropriate;

·  Coordinate with the General Services Manager (GSM) regularly;

·  Helps deliver mail to PCVs in particular regions;

·  Develop relationships with vendors; and

·  Works with sub-cashier to distribute funds; may become a sub-cashier after passing appropriate training and testing

Safety and Security Duties for all Peace Corps positions:

§  Addresses safety and security proactively by ensuring appropriate assignments for Volunteers and adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures.

§  Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns or issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the CD.

§  Ensures prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.).

§  Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites. Incorporates appropriate site-specific safety and security-related information into site history files.

§  Ensures designated host country counterparts participate in counterpart orientation/training and are prepared to work with and support Volunteers, including their role in Volunteer safety and security.

§  Maintains communication with each Volunteer and solicits periodic feedback, including information about Volunteer safety and security.

§  Maintains a calendar of Volunteer site visits, and completes appropriate number of site visits to assess Volunteer progress, safety and security, and to provide technical guidance and moral support.

§  Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security, and initiates corrective action as necessary.

§  Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

§  Acts as duty officer, as needed.

§  Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

Temporary Duties (TDY):

The contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned.

Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor. The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same: however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer.

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