Company Profile

The Rural Enterprises Programme (REF) is part of the Government of Ghana's (GOG) effort to reduce poverty and improve living conditions in rural areas by improving infrastructure, technologies and skills needed for private sector development. The REP has been designed to upscale nationwide, the successful achievements of Rural Enterprises Project Phases I and II (REP-I & REF-II). 

REF has 4 main components, namely: 

1. Business Development Services;
2. Development of Agricultural Commodity Processing Infrastructure 
3. Creation of Enabling Business Environment and
4. Programme Coordination and Management.

REP is currently being implemented in 161 districts nationwide. The Programme is co-financed by the Government of Ghana (GOG), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and African Development Bank (AfDB). A Programme Coordination and Management Unit (PCMU) has been established in Kumasi to oversee the day-to-day activities of the REP.

A major concern of youth unemployment in Ghana is the rising proportion of graduate unemployment. This situation is partly due to the mismatch of skills acquired by the youth vis-a-vis what is required by the Job market and weak support systems for entrepreneurship and small-scale business development for self-employment. The ENABLE Youth initiative is intended to contribute to address this challenge through additional efforts by REP in the establishment and growth of viable agribusinesses. Such businesses will have the potential to create employment by offering a comprehensive and integrated package of training in agribusiness, financing, and ongoing coaching/mentoring, building partnership with the private sector, business and professional associations and training institutions. The ENABLE Youth initiative is well in line with Government Industrial Transformation Agenda and will contribute to strengthen the linkages between the agriculture, industry and services sectors of the economy.

Job Description

Rural Enterprises Programme (REP)

The Environmental Specialist will:

• Report the National Director
• Develop and implement an elaborate environment mitigation plan for the programme;
• Guide and supervise the technical support to be provided for the implementation of the environmental mitigation plan;
• Supervise all environmental mitigation aspects in the elaboration and implementation of development plans with special attention to air and water pollution, deforestation, saw dust disposal, discharge of effluence and soil degeneration, food contamination, heat, noise, dust and fumes.
• Establish linkages with relevant Institutions including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promote best environmental practice in the operation of MSEs within the country.
• Assist in policy dialogue to promote healthy environment practices.

Required Skills or Experience

• Degree in relevant field with at least 5 years experience in Environmental Management Practices.
• Details of specific responsibilities of positions will be included in a contract on appointment.