Vacancy: Project Coordinator.

Job Description

Brief on Project

Women’s Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE): The WISE project utilizes innovative approaches to enhance economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive economic growth for women in Ghana, and aims to address economic disparities to improve women’s competencies, agency and success in running small enterprises and improve social recognition of women’s contribution as economic actors. The project focus districts for Northern Region are Tolon and Kumbungu.

• Job Duration: 2 years.


• Reports Directly to: Executive Director.


• Location: Tamale.

Job Purpose: Coordinate project in the two districts.

Dimensions of Role:

The project coordinator will work with stakeholders at the district level to address root causes of gender inequalities through gender-transformative approaches. This includes an express need to ensure meaningful male engagement to support women's improved agency. Feminist principles of collaboration, participation, transparency and respect for the agency of women entrepreneurs will be integrated in all aspects of this role.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating quality programming and results, financial management and compliance, stakeholder and partner relations, and donor deliverables at the district level.

The post-holder will be based in Tamale and travel to project communities where the WISE project operates for approximately 80% of her/his time.

Key Responsibilities

• Form and develop women groups association with appropriate cooperative values and principles


• Facilitate and develop capacity programme to deliver governance, strategic planning, financial management, conflict management and human resources management pertaining to associations and groups.


• Monitor and provide semi-annual tracking report of the growth and development in governance, management and overall development of self-groups and associations related to the project.


• Facilitate the development of producer association values and principles.


• Facilitate linkages with relevant district level institutions to support the registration to formalise businesses.


• Develop increased knowledge and understanding of WISE through cross learning, co­mentoring activities to exchange experiences with stakeholders at the districts.


• Support the Operationalisation of Business Hubs


• Work with relevant institutions/organisations in the District on an appropriate training package in business planning, business skills, strategic planning and entrepreneurship for use by the project team and relevant Institutions.


• Support tracking of business and marketing plans through joint planning, monitoring of women groups.


• Project Management, Communication, Coordination at District


• Engage multiple partners and stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of gender-responsive services and products across the five main services areas in entrepreneurship, agri­ businesses and establish sustainable business (green) streams which aligns with Ghana's existing programs, policies and investments, including the Rural Enterprise Programme, Planting for Food and Jobs and One-District, One-Factory initiatives in the districts.


• Ensure inclusive financial and business development services and products developed for women groups.


• Ensure the facilitation of increased access to markets and opportunities in agri-business and green business for women.


• Facilitate the preparation and submission of quality programmatic and financial reports in line with URBANET and donor standards.


• Ensure Project cycle management processes and tools (including detailed implementation plans) effectively implemented to achieve project results and comply with donor requirements, government, and partnership agreements.


• Synergy and Coordination: Foster and maintain productive and professional relationships with and between all project stakeholders (government, private sector and non-profit at district).


• Facilitate the provision of services, improve linkages and build the capacity, particularly of women entrepreneurs and VSLA groups


• Foster strong coordination and collaboration with women entrepreneurs and VSLA through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.


• Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming.

Required Skills or Experience

• Minimum of 1st  Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development  with 4 years of relevant experience.


• Proven experience in Agricultural Value Chains, Enterprise Development, Green Businesses and Financial Inclusion.


• Progressive experience working for NGOs in increasingly at community and regional level.


• Capacity building experience in project design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.


• Demonstrated behaviours needed by the post holder to successfully perform the role:


• Passion for feminist principles, mission driven work and personal values aligned with URBANET.


• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.


• Inclusive and empowering approach to leadership and project management.


• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.


• Inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate teams.


• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.


• Communicates clearly and effectively

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.

• Strong understanding of feminist principles, gender equality, and women's socio-economic empowerment.


• Strong understanding of feminist monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.


• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.


• Strong experience in partnership management and aptitude for cultivating strong relationships with multiple stakeholders including private sector organizations, government, and donors.


• Ability to fully function in English (verbal and written) is essential. All donor reports, deliverables and communication will be in English.


• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet) and other applications


• Self-starter takes initiative and works with minimal direct supervision.


• Strong inter-personal and cross-cultural skills.


• Flexible, able to shift directions quickly and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.