BACKGROUNDThe Government of Ghana has received funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits & Environmental Resilience (PROSPER)" Project. The project's total cost is estimated at US$52.5 million. This is made up of a Blended Loan of US$35.1 million and a Highly concessional Loan of US$17.3 million. The project will adopt the Value Chain Approach for developing agricultural growth in the country and aims at developing agricultural value chains and in crease agricultural production. PROSPER will support the implementation of the Ministry's five years strategyThe Project Development Goal/Objective:PROSPER is to Strengthen the integration, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability of smallholders and businesses in the selected priority value chains.Coverage/Geographic Area:PROSPER will be implemented over an 8-year period. The geo-graphic area of intervention extends to eight (8) regions. Five (5) regions in the North (Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper West and Upper East Regions), and three neighbouring regions in the Middle Belt (Bono, Bone East, and Oti). Two regions down South (Eastern and Volta regions) are envisaged to be included during implementation.[ad]Project Targeting Strategy:PROSPER's primary target groups will be the poorest households.The targeting strategy considers: (i) high rural population (ii) high poverty prevalence (ii) high rate of food and nutrition insecurity (iv) strong concentration of female and male youth (v) presence of relevant economic opportunities (vi) the level of degradation of the productive Natu ral Resource base (particularly soil, water and vegetation) and (vii) indicators of climate vulnerability.Project Components -The project has three components:Component 1: Development of rural institutions and socioeconomic infrastructure. The expected outcome is improved sustainable livelihoods in target areas supported by strengthened rural institutions and improved socioeconomic infrastructures. These actions are concentrated on investing in "public goods" (feeder roads/farm tracks, portable drinking water, public toilets) within and for the benefit of the targeted 100,000 beneficiaries in the project areas.Component 2: Strengthening the economic benefits for smallholders and small operators around selected agricultural value chains.The expected outcome is smallholders and small businesses draw greater benefits from the increasing market outlets for agricultural produce through comprehensive financial, capacity and marketing support. Whereas the first component will invest in the human, physical and natural resources of the target communities, the second component is concentrated on investing in the "private goods" of the population to bring about a sustained uplift in the earning capacity of agricultural producer groups and related enterprisesComponent 3: Project management and Policy engagement.The expected outcome of this support component is efficient and timely delivery of PROSPER development results and support to evidence-based sectoral policy formulation.Duration and location of the assignment:This is a full-time assignment for an initial period of 24 months renewable based on satisfactory performance from the date of contract signature for all positions. Selected consultants must not be engaged in any other ongoing assignment in Ghana or elsewhere at the time the employee contract comes into force. Non-compliance would lead to the cancellation of the contract by MOFA. Falsifying personal data would also lead to disqualification.The location of the assignment will be outside Greater Accra.Contract TypePerformance-based contract, initially for one year with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and project needs.REPORTS TO: NATIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR (NPC)[ad2]Overview of the Position:The Senior Value Chain Specialist will serve as the principal technical lead for the PROSPER programme, ensuring the effective design and implementation of inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chain interventions. The consultant will provide strategic and technical oversight of all field-based and technical activities related to value chain development, market linkages, private sector engagement, and capacity building of local actors.The Specialist will work closely with the Project Coordination and Management Unit (PCMU), implementing partners, and relevant government agencies to ensure that value chain activities are pro-poor, climate-resilient, and gender- and youth-responsive, in alignment with IFAD's core principles and the Feed Ghana Strategy.Performance Expectations - Timely and quality delivery of value chain assessments, plans, and partnerships.
- Clear documentation of inclusive business models, gender/youth mainstreaming in interventions, and climate-resilient practices.
- Measurable improvements in market access, incomes, and private sector linkages for smallholder beneficiaries.
Responsibilities - Lead the design and execution of value chain development interventions, prioritizing those identified in the PROSPER Project Design Report.
- Oversee technical assistance provided to beneficiaries, including training in post-harvest handling, value addition, market access, and business planning.
- Guide the process of selecting value chain cluster drivers and evaluating
business proposals, ensuring economic viability and inclusiveness. * Facilitate commercially viable linkages among smallholders, agribusinesses, service providers, and financiers. - Coordinate with other donor-funded projects and development partners to leverage resources and harmonize approaches.
- Identify needs and oversee the development of tools, studies, and training materials to support pro-poor market and value chain development.
- Promote access to finance through engagement with rural financial institutions and ensure that infrastructure investments support selected value chains.
- Supervise and mentor the Value Chain Officers across regions, ensuring technical quality and consistency in delivery.
- Oversee baseline value chain assessments and periodic updates; develop scopes of work for external consultants as needed.
- Design and support implementation of upgrading plans for selected value chains, aiming to improve productivity, profitability, and resilience.
- Review business proposals submitted under the Matching Grant Facility and other support windows, offering technical input to improve sustainability.
- Integrate climate-smart agriculture (CSA), good agricultural practices
(GAP), and nutrition-sensitive interventions in value chain strategies. * Ensure the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in all value chain activities. - Support the development and use of results-based tools for planning, monitoring, and learning.
- Liaise with MoFA departments, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and research institutions to align interventions with national policy frameworks.
[ad]Required Skills or ExperienceMinimum Qualifications and Skills (Essential) - Master's degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or related field.
- At least 10 years of progressive experience in agricultural value chain development, preferably involving smallholder farmers in Ghana.
- Proven experience in facilitating market linkages, agribusiness incubation, and inclusive value chain financing.
- Solid track record in development partner-funded projects, ideally with IFAD or other IFIs.
- Strong experience in project-specific tools including value chain mapping, results-based planning, and upgrading strategies.
- Proficiency in the use of digital tools for value chain analysis and M&E (e.g., Excel dashboards, mobile data platforms).
- Familiarity with IFAD operational principles, including participatory planning, results-based management (RBM), and mainstreaming of gender, youth, climate, and nutrition.
- Excellent communication, analytical, facilitation, and team leadership skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across diverse institutions.
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