Country Manager, Ghana

Job Description

NRGI Background: NRGI exists because decisions about how natural resources are governed determine the well-being of people in resource-rich countries, and of the planet. We partner with reformers in civil society and government to design and implement just policies based on evidence and the priorities of citizens in resource-rich developing countries.

In resource-rich developing countries, NRGI has successfully supported policy reform and implementation, ensuring that resource revenues benefit the communities affected by extraction. We have also directly contributed to the growth and strength of engaged civil society organizations, accompanying them in their advocacy for transparency and monitoring of the extractives sector.

Internationally, NRGI is a leading player in the evolution of global extractive industry governance standards and their adaptation to drive the energy transition.

Job Purpose: The Country Manager is the team lead in Ghana and will represent NRGI in high-profile spaces; events, media engagements and donor outreach. He/she will lead the execution of NRGI programs in Ghana in impactful ways, to advance transparency, accountability and prevent corruption in transition minerals mining, revenue management and just energy transition. He/she will strengthen relationships and work with strategic actors including governments, civil society, media and donors in critical spaces and engagements to influence reform and adoption of leading practices and in alignment with international transparency norms. He/she will contribute to expert and strategic discussions aimed at responding to emerging sector trends to shape the Ghana program and improve NRGI’s profile in the country. With direct report to the Deputy Africa Director, and a member of the Africa team, the Country Manager will execute programs in line with NRGI’s and Ghana country strategies and collaborate effectively across the Africa and global teams to leverage expertise and maximize impact.

With deep knowledge of the extractives industry and donor landscape in Ghana, the Country Manager will deliver value to meet citizen and donor requirements. He/she will contribute to advocacy, capacity building, technical assistance efforts, leadership, expertise, leading Ghana specific strategies and interventions and localizing global programs to Ghana. The Country Manager will be an excellent facilitator, networker, relationship builder and diplomat, capable of bringing senior stakeholders together to advance strategies for governance of the extractive sector in Ghana.

Major Responsibilities

Lead the designing and implementing of a coherent country strategy on transition minerals, energy transition and revenue management. Facilitate the implementation and periodic adjustment of the country strategy, optimizing NRGI global work and leveraging specific country context to maximize impact. Lead the development of the country strategy, plans and programs with innovative ideas that reach target groups and effect systemic change based on country dynamics. Provide thought leadership to the team and stakeholder community, focusing on achieving positive impact in line with NRGI’s mission. Contribute research and analysis on good governance to shape the country program, sector norms and practices. Contribute to regional strategy process development. Function as point of contact for all donor partnerships in Ghana, oversee project implementation and impact delivery. Proactively collaborate and the different working groups in NRGI and external partners. · Participate in the development and updating of the whole-organisation strategic plan, contributing insight and recommendations from the country Target the right expertise and capacities in program design and strategy.

RESEARCH & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Keep up to date on country trends, developments and issues in governance and extractives. Stay informed on the full breadth of relevant research and learnings internally and externally to apply pertinent insights within Ghana. Conduct and lead strategic analysis (e.g., stakeholder, political, extractives) and research to evaluate ecosystem, governance, and progress/status in context of development and change models in Ghana. Lead evidence-translation and grow NRGI body of knowledge on just energy transition and transition minerals in collaboration with NRGI and external partners. Develop tools and frameworks to apply and localize research and knowledge in Ghana. Enhance NRGI expertise both locally and globally by leading and actively participating in research reviews, MEL (Monitoring, Evaluating & Learning) forums, and knowledge sharing. Engage at a strategic level in Ghana and publish for impact: · Write, review, and publish research findings in a range of formats (reports, policy briefs, memos, op-eds, social media posts, workshop, and training materials) and communicate expert opinion.

ENSURING IMPACTFUL IMPLEMENTATION:

Participate in strategic planning & design, ensuring cohesiveness across programs: · Provide oral and written inputs and support in strategic, program, and annual planning at the regional and subregional levels. · Contribute understanding of what specific oversight actors need to play their role. · Provide creative and targeted solutions for addressing gaps and building capacity; astutely utilize the suite of NRGI and partner capabilities (e.g., trainings, technical assistance, analytics and research, EITI, and data indexes/repositories, etc.) · Lead on strategic planning and implementation of NRGI projects in Ghana (at current time including work funded by a range of donors including Norad, FCDO and the World Bank, as well as future projects). · In collaboration with country teams and relevant colleagues in NRGI design and deliver high quality activities /programs in Ghana. Progress capacity and synergy across state actors, civil society influencers, and industry leaders in GHANA: · Establish collaborative relationships with oversight groups, donors, NGO, industry, and other actors interested in the governance of the extractive industries. · Create opportunities for dialogue across civil society, government, and the private sector on priority issues, in collaboration with Ghana EITI. · Where relevant, engage with decision-makers in parliament, government, and industry. · Coordinate the organization’s work with various agents of change, including decision makers in parliament, civil society organizations, and the media, ensuring synergies and identifying new opportunities; provide targeted technical assistance which can include analytics, assessments and reviews, research, etc. · Design, oversee logistics for and deliver training, conferences, and workshops · Resourcing CSOs and other partners to implement projects and connecting partners with donors for long term funding Apply Project Management discipline to effectively manage and coordinate programs and projects: · Adapt plans and approaches to maximise impact; respond proactively to opportunities and problems.

· In line with NRGI’s procurement policy, procure and manage consultants to ensure quality delivery of assignments. · Ensure timely delivery of project objectives and reporting. · Ensure compliance with technical standards, including data management, procurement, HR and reporting, documentation through NRGI’s applications and ad hoc tools. Fully integrate MEL in design and implementation. Review whether desired results were achieved and foster learning and improvement: · In partnership with the MEL team develop the MEL Framework, especially tailor for specific donors in GHANA. · Participate in learning reviews and determining how to adapt future projects in response to changing context and program quality assurance. · Assess quality of implementations and program designs ensuring best practices are identified and documented; promote / scale up successful approaches. · Design and pilot new tools & approaches. · Oversee projects to ensure delivery of results and compliance with technical and financial standards; ensure timely reporting, expense management, and budget / variance tracking. · Detect and respond to changes in the environment and proactively adapt programs and projects. Ensure accountability requirements for sub-grants and donor reporting are met. · Lead in monitoring, reviewing, reporting, and documenting all project activities.

Job Requirements:

Experience & Technical Skills Required

· Minimum 8 years directly relevant work experience, with an emphasis on leadership, people management, policy reform, advocacy, and effective project management.

· Program management experience in an international development context,

· At least 5 years’ experience working in extractive industry governance or relevant field.

· Experience in setting strategy and ability to think conceptually and strategically with a 3–5-year horizon.

· Profound understanding of the natural resource governance sector and the complex ecosystem, energy transition, fossil fuel governance, and transition minerals that results in resource-rich countries failing to achieve sustainable development.

· Possess the gravitas and ability to initiate and develop strategic relationships and influence key stakeholders at a project, country, and region level.

· Experience working in a complex or pioneering environment, including managing, and creating opportunities for systemic change across a variety of stakeholders (government, private sector, media, parliamentary and civil society).

· Experience providing pragmatic technical assistance on policy or business issues to decision-makers.

· Ability to deliver trainings and other capacity development interventions to a diverse range of stakeholders.

· Experience managing and allocating resources efficiently and managing and delivering on donor grants.

· Work experience in Ghana is a requirement.

· Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.

Education & Qualifications

· Postgraduate degree in relevant field (political science, economics, law, or international affairs, etc.) preferred, or 10 years bachelor’s experience.

We invite people of all identities, including those from marginalized groups, to come together in support of our mission. We strive for an NRGI where staff can be themselves at work, feel that they belong, and are equipped to succeed. Achieving meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion—together—is among our highest priorities.