Job vacancy Consultant (Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK)

Policy LINK – Support to GAFAFAW

Position:

Consultant

Location:

Accra

Project name:

Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK

Status:

Short-Term Technical Assistance (Independent Consultant)

Period of Performance

August 2024 to July 2025

Supervisor:

Strategic Communications Lead, Policy LINK

 

Project Background

Policy LINK is a global USAID program that aims to strengthen the capacity of local actors and institutions to lead and manage the agricultural transformation process and contribute effectively and collectively to improved, broad-based food security policy outcomes.

The program aims to do this by investing in and reinforcing productive human and social capital and developing strategic partnerships that help bring these innovations and capacity investments to scale to achieve a critical mass of local actors with the ability and opportunity to effect positive policy change through collective action.

Policy LINK’s general approach is grounded in facilitative leadership and collaborative governance, which emphasize engaging stakeholders from civil society and the public and private sectors in consensus- oriented decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and adaptive learning.

Policy LINK in Ghana

Ghana Policy LINK is a five-year activity with the overall objective of fostering behavior change that strengthens the capacity and ability of Ghanaian stakeholders to participate in a more transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based agriculture and food security policy process that leads to improved food and nutrition outcomes and broad-based economic growth. Specifically, the activity will facilitate the transition towards a policy development paradigm driven by multiple stakeholders.

This approach to policymaking will strengthen the capacities of Ghana’s main agricultural policy system actors and institutions and support them to engage stakeholders traditionally excluded from decision- making,  including  academia,  financial  institutions,  the  judiciary,  civil  society  organizations  (CSOs),  non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector representatives from the national, regional, and local levels.

This  approach  is  underpinned  by  Policy  LINK’s  overarching  theory  of  change,  which  is  focused  on increasing human and social capital, engaging policy system actors in collaborative processes, and developing mechanisms for collaborative governance and dynamic learning systems and platforms to sustain collective action.

Background

Since 2022, Policy LINK has been collaborating with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to co- create and build the capacity of selected national, regional, and district women awardees recognized at the annual National Farmers’ Day program for their contributions to ensuring Ghana’s food security, sufficiency, and economic growth. Aimed at supporting the development of women's leadership capabilities, fostering women-led advocacy, and amplifying their voices to positively influence Ghana's agricultural policy system, the training curriculum is developed based on a needs assessment of the awardees. It is designed to equip them to be self-starting and innovative, build their confidence, and provide them with the knowledge and skills to represent and champion women's interests in the sector.

Following the capacity-building initiative, Policy LINK has continued to support, including facilitating their representatives' participation in agriculture stakeholder events to provide exposure and networking opportunities.

One of the immediate results of the maiden capacity training for the first cohort of 2022 women awardees was their decision to form an association to collectively advocate for their interests. In August 2023, the women successfully inaugurated their registered association called the Ghana Association of Female Agricultural & Fish Farming Award Winners (GAFAFAW), with key sector stakeholders in attendance, including Hon. Yaw Frimpong Addo, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture.

Recognizing the need for a systematic approach to the Association’s governance and further development of their leadership and advocacy skills, GAFAFAW's executives have contacted Policy LINK for additional technical support on organizational governance and leadership development for the association.

Objectives

Policy LINK/Ghana Activity is seeking a consultant to 

Establish a robust governance structure for GAFAFAW.

Enhance the leadership capabilities of GAFAFAW members.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Lead in establishing a structured and effective governance framework for GAFAFAW to ensure efficient management and operation of the association.

Conduct a governance needs assessment either through interviews or focus group discussions to understand current governance challenges and needs.

Develop a comprehensive governance framework for GAFAFAW, incorporating policies and procedures that adhere to relevant external regulations and best practices.

Facilitate a workshop to train GAFAFAW members on the new governance framework.

Support in the initial implementation of the governance framework.

Develop and implement tailored training program(s) to strengthen the leadership skills of GAFAFAW executives and members, enabling them to lead initiatives and represent the association effectively.

Engage GAFAFAW leadership and members to identify specific leadership skill gaps.

Design and facilitate a leadership training program to address the identified gaps.

Develop a post-training evaluation method(s) and facilitate its roll-out to assess the overall impact of the training program on leadership effectiveness.

Reporting

The consultant will report to the Activity Lead/Strategic Communications Lead at Policy LINK. Monthly progress reports and deliverables shall be submitted to the above-mentioned official.

Deliverables and LOE

Deliverable

Estimated LOE

Conduct a needs assessment to understand current governance challenges and needs of GAFAFAW

1 day

Develop a comprehensive governance framework outlining roles, responsibilities,  decision-making processes, communication protocols, and conflict-resolution mechanisms.

10 days

Develop procedures/guidelines for meetings, elections, and financial management.

3 days

Develop monitoring tools to ensure adherence to the governance framework.

2 days

Facilitate a workshop to train GAFAFAW members on the new governance framework.

1 day

Support in the initial implementation of the governance framework.

10 days

Engage GAFAFAW leadership and members to identify specific leadership skill gaps.

1 day

Design and implement a leadership training program:

Develop a curriculum covering essential leadership skills, such as strategic planning, team management, communication, and decision-making.

Develop training materials, including presentations, handouts, and interactive activities.

Engage external experts or trainers as needed for specific topics.

Facilitate the training program.

Conduct pre- and post-training assessments.

21 days

Develop a post-training evaluation method(s) and facilitate its roll-out to assess the overall impact of the training program on leadership effectiveness.

5 days

Produce a training report

5 days

Produce a final report on the scope of work

5 days

TOTAL LOE

64 days

Education Required: Post-graduate Degree

1 Aug, 2024 (27 days left)