Program Manager, West Africa Climate-Smart Cocoa – WCF – Ghana

Program Manager, West Africa Climate–Smart Cocoa

www.worldcocoafoundation.org

Accra, Ghana or Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

General Description:

WCF is an international membership foundation that promotes a sustainable cocoa economy by providing cocoa farmers with the tools they need to grow more and better cocoa, market it successfully, and make greater profits. WCF’s membership includes cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, processors, supply chain managers, and other companies worldwide, representing more than 80% of the global cocoa market. For more information, visitwww.worldcocoa.org.

WCF is leading the USAID funded Feed the Future Partnership for Climate-Smart Cocoa which aims to address the challenges of climate change in cocoa-producing landscapes by increasing private sector investment and engagement that promotes and supports the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices. (Please find press release here)

WCF seeks an experienced, dedicated and talented Program Manager, West Africa Climate-Smart Cocoa (“CSC Program Manager”) with specific knowledge of cocoa and/or climate related aspects. The CSC Program Manager will coordinate the development of climate-smart program activities in West Africa and play a critical role in aligning and interfacing with different private and public stakeholders in the sector. The CSC Program Manager will report directly to the Director of the Climate-Smart Cocoa Program, based in Washington DC. The candidate must be able to conduct official WCF business in both English and French. This position will be based in WCF’s office in either Accra, Ghana or Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Specific Responsibilities:

· Collaborate with key partners to analyze the impact of climate change on cocoa production in major growing regions and build consensus with the private sector about the extent of the problem.

· Design, organize and facilitate (with Program Director) a consultative process to develop a private sector strategy for climate smart cocoa.

· Serve as the project’s key liaison in West Africa with headquarters, government counterparts, private sector stakeholders, subcontractors, academic institutions, and other local partners to exchange information and develop professional relationships.

· Collaborate and build alignment with existing climate platforms, particularly in West Africa.

· Plan, develop and implement pilot projects identified through strategy component (e.g., climate smart agriculture training curriculum or agroforestry demonstration farms). Identify new opportunities for pilot activities.

· Monitor implementation of pilot activities and author quarterly reports to headquarters.

· Manage local budget.

· Identify new opportunities for climate smart cocoa initiatives.

· Provide technical and management support for partners to implement planned activities across all projects in a timely manner. This will involve coordination with a CSC Program Manager based in Central America and coordination with WCF staff in Washington, DC, Accra and Abidjan.

Position Requirements:

· Minimum Master’s Degree in International Development, Economics, Agriculture, Environmental Science or Natural Resource Management or related subject.

· Five or more years of experience in project implementation.

· Experience in agriculture development, preferably cocoa production and value-chain work. Experience working on climate change and environment related issues.

· Significant experience working in West Africa, including collaborating with public and private sector partners.

· Demonstrated experience in all phases of monitoring and evaluation processes, including the use of data and results to improve program quality.

· Excellent pro-active communication skills

· Willingness to work with many different stakeholders, teams and donors.

· Ability to work well under pressure with interruptions and challenging deadlines.

· Strong writing, speaking and presentation skills in both English and French. Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.

This position is a two-year term contract, renewable up to two additional years, based on performance. Salary is dependent on level of experience. This is a locally recruited position; no expat benefits are provided. This position will be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire or Accra, Ghana. Estimated start date: July 18, 2016.