Field Facilitator - CARE International

CARE International in Ghana is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Field Facilitator for Connecting the Unconnected PROJECT. ‘Connecting the unconnected – increasing innovation and livelihoods in agriculture in Ghana’ is an innovative partnership between CARE (an international NGO), BLUETOWN (a Danish internet service providing company) and local strategic partners, funded by the Danish aid agency Danida, under the Danida Market Development Partnerships programme (DMDP).

The project promotes internet connectivity as an enabler for development. Using digital technologies will enable agricultural communities in Ghana to achieve more sustainable and resilient production. This is done through digital inclusion and improved market linkages and innovative agricultural practices and technologies. The aim of the project is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through increased productivity in the agricultural sector, brought about by technological upgrading, innovation as well as improved resource efficiency and climate resilience in agricultural production. Additionally, the project explores the promotion of entrepreneurial agri-business models for youth enabled by connectivity.

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JOB SUMMARY

The Field Facilitator for the “Connecting the Unconnected Project” will facilitate the implementation of project activities in the Asunafo North Municipality in the Ahafo Region. His/Her primary responsibility will be to facilitate the testing of agricultural information on BLUETOWN’s LOCAL CLOUD and documenting feedback on uptake of the content by farmers.

The post holder will support the farmers in applying the content they will receive from the LOCAL CLOUD into their farming practices in order to increase productivity and incomes. Additionally, the post holder will be the key representative for the project in the communities and will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with local stakeholders.

The position is based in Goaso in the Asunafo North Municipality (Ahafo Region) but will be required to travel from time to time to Kumasi for work.

Key Responsibilities 

• Organize community meetings to sensitize communities on the project
• Mobilise community leaders and existing institutions such as Traditional Authorities (TA) to provide the requisite information on the project activities.
• Conducting periodic surveys, in collaboration with the M&E Officer, on the needs of farmers and the type of content that will be relevant for their needs
• Working in collaboration with the M&E Officer to analysis the data collected on farmer needs and advising on the type of content that will be relevant to them
• Selecting cocoa farmers to participate in the project and in the testing of content, with the support of the project team
• Identify and mobilise farmer groups for training in accessing agriculture content through the LOCAL CLOUD
• Review content, particularly on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for cocoa to ensure the quality of the content
• Coordinate the testing of the agriculture content on the LOCAL CLOUD for relevance
• Continually interact with farmers and conduct periodic surveys to ascertain feedback on the content for further improvement
• Support with the planning of local hackathon/townhall meetings
• Collaborate with the M&E Officer to present the challenges faced by farmers to youth entrepreneurs
• Support farmers to test the digital solutions developed by the young entrepreneurs and conduct surveys to gather feedback for the entrepreneurs for improvement
• Recommend to BLUETOWN promising youth in the communities who can be recruited as BLUETOWN Micro-Operators to work as digital agents
• Organise trainings for Micro-Operators to support farmers to use digital agriculture content
• Provide ongoing support to Micro-Operators in providing services to the farmers
• Support the BLUETWON technical team in identifying locations for hotspots
• Ensure production of relevant, quality, captivating and user friendly information from the project that can be converted into communication material

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Required Skills or Experience

• A minimum qualification of a first degree in a relevant discipline such as Agriculture, horticulture, agronomy, agric extension and training with an understanding and experience in the other
• At least three years of relevant working experience, including a minimum of three years field practical experience in working with rural communities, including women groups.
• Strong experience in community mobilization and engagement
• Proven experience and understanding of digital innovation for agricultural rural development
• Experience of working closely with partners and stakeholders is key to this position
• Proven and demonstrable facilitation skills, negotiation skills and networking skills including facilitating change, innovation and initiating action
• Commitment to and understanding of a process and livelihood approach to development
• Excellent professionalism, relationship building and communication skills
• Adherence to CARE’s core values and competencies (RICED)
• Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Twi is desirable
• Computer skills that must include Microsoft Office and Excel