Company Profile

CARE International is a global network of independent national organizations, which include CARE members, candidates and affiliates, social enterprises, and thousands of community-based partner organizations working together across more than 100 countries to save lives, end poverty and fight social injustice. To learn more, visit www.care-international.org.

CARE International in Ghana: CARE began operations in Ghana in 1994. Since then the Accra office expanded to support programs in Togo and Benin under the umbrella of the CARE Gulf of Guinea country mission. In July 2010, CARE replaced the three-country mission with country offices in Ghana and Benin, the latter of which is also responsible for a small number of activities in Togo.

CARE Ghana’s projects are primarily implemented through partnerships with local and civil society organizations. This enables CARE to further engage with government and the private sector, work effectively in coalition, and to have the greatest possible impact. CARE Ghana prioritizes the rural and vulnerable poor- women and organizes its work around health, governance, sustainable livelihoods and education.

Job Description

CARE International in Ghana is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Project Officer for Far Ban Bo Project. Far Ban Bo Project is a 4-year fisheries governance project funded by the EU and being implemented by a consortium of CARE (as the Lead), Friends of the Nation (FON) and Oxfam, in collaboration with other CSOs, fishing communities and government agencies. The project seeks to contribute to sustainable fisheries resources management to improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods of smallholder fishers and other users of fishery resources in Ghana. The project will operate in the Western, Central, Greater Accra, and Volta regions, specifically in 27 coastal districts and 3 inland fishing districts. The Far Ban Bo project Consortium, under the leadership of CARE, are expected to deliver the following key results by the end of the 4-year project period: 1) Empowered Smallholder Fishery Associations actively participate in Fisheries Governance; 2) Effective monitoring of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and a Grievance Mechanisms Piloted; and 3) Social and Economic Safeguards contribute to Improving Livelihoods and Nutritional Status of Smallholder Fishers and other Users of Fishery Resources.

Job Summary:

• The Project Officer will be based in the Accra Office of CARE, with frequent travels to the project target districts in Western, Central, Greater Accra, and Volta regions, in liaison with other project staff and consortium members.
• The Project Officer will report to and be supervised by the far Ban Bo Project Coordinator.
• S/He will assist the Project Coordinator in the planning and implementation of project activities to accomplish the Project’s expected results. 
• The Project Officer will report to and be supervised by the far Ban Bo Project Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities:

• Main responsibility of the Project Officer is to facilitate effective implementation of agreed project activities including:
• Support the PM to design and implement project approaches and methodologies for community empowerment, partnerships, capacity building, and policy advocacy to achieve project objectives
• Support the organisation and coordination of project events including trainings and capacity building workshops, in collaboration with partners and in compliance with CARE and Donor policies.
• Supporting community mobilisation and facilitation of VSLA groups in liaison with Oxfam and FON’s field officers at community levels;
• Liaise closely with FON to ensure that community-based IUU monitoring, reporting and grievance mechanisms are operational with an ICT tool linked to an online open platform for collecting and analysing IUU reports.
• Liaise closely with OXFAM and field officers of FON to ensure implementation of project activities for community empowerment and livelihood diversification for affected fishers in target communities.
• Assist in the use of community scorecards methodology for systematic feedback and dialogue with Authorities to enhance access to basic services and responsiveness of district authorities to the needs of fishing communities.
• Assist in the implementation of project M&E activities including baseline, mid-term review final evaluation, monitoring, documentation of progress and lessons and preparation of project reports.
• Support in the development and dissemination of project IE&C materials
• Support in field monitoring, preparation and timely submission of project reports
• Support and contribute to knowledge management practices of CARE in Ghana
• Liaise with Project Coordinator/Manager and draft procurement plans, initiate and liaise with procurement unit for supply of goods and services (including consultants, conference /workshop venues, logistics, cash advances etc.) needed to implement agreed project activities.

Required Skills or Experience

• A minimum qualification of a first degree in Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, Environment and natural resource Governance, Developments studies or social studies
• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Agriculture or Natural Resource Management will be an added advantage.
• At least Degree in Fisheries, Natural Resource Management, Environment and natural resource Governance, Developments studies or social studies with at least 3years relevant experience especially in project management in the context of Environment and natural resource Governance, civil society capacity building and partnership management, and promoting gender equality
• Experience and / understanding of the fisheries sector in Ghana and related CSOs policy advocacy issues in the sector
• Experience in working with local communities, partnership with local NGOs and District Assemblies structures
• Knowledgeable in food security and nutrition and livelihood issues in fishing communities
• Excellent administrative and project management skills,
• Excellent Communication skills, including written English and oral presentations and fluency in local languages most used in fishing communities
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, networking, interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet)
• Critical thinking, creative and analytical
• Excellent professionalism and relationship building skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and work in a team