Company Profile

MDF West Africa (MDF WA) – www.mdf.nl/offices/Ghana is a management consultancy and training firm operating in the West African region, which has become an Enterprise Support Organization. MDF WA was registered to commence business in Ghana as Management for Development Foundation (MDF) West Africa Limited on May 15, 2009, and enables projects and programs, professionals, organizations, partnerships, and networks to achieve sustainable results and results that matter for a better world. We are a multi-project organization, which means we have approximately 10 projects under implementation at any given moment in time. With a core staff of 28 professionals and access to more than 25 associate national, regional, and international consultants, we have extensive working experience in the (West) African context and specifically Ghana.

Being part of the MDF Global network and as an independent Ghana-based regional management consulting and training firm, MDF WA brings the best of both worlds. We have over 35 years of global experience in development intervention, project design, and program management enriched with our locally gained expertise. We draw upon our extensive experience in the implementation of both public and private sector initiatives in developing economies. MDF WA can draw upon expertise from other regions where we work.

For more information visit our website www.mdf.nl/offices/ghana

We provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to support organizations and entrepreneurs in their growth and development. Our core offerings include: Training & Consultancy Services, Monitoring & Evaluation Services, Program Management & Implementation Services, Entrepreneurship Support Tools

Job Description

• Support the identification, follow-up and responses to training & consultancy opportunities with clients in the West African region. This includes exploring opportunities within the MDF network.
• Analyse and understand client request for services based on available terms of reference/request for proposal and/or direct contact via phone, intake meetings (visits) and or email.
• Support and steer the proposal writing process together with selected team members.
• Come up with strategies and write how you would approach the assignment i.e. the methodological approach, work plan, budget, team composition etc.
• Represent MDF during functions and participate in formal and informal gatherings in order to build a network of clients and partners.

Execution of Assignments

• Execute consultancies assignments in the area of planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Take the lead and steer a team of 2 to 5 staff/colleagues/partners during execution of assignments
• Update MDF WA management on assignment execution status presenting issues/concerns and recommended measures to address them
• Maintain client contact during execution and contracting of assignments i.e. process management. Be the focal person for the client.
• Lead the report writing process and assure report quality.
• Maintain client and partner relationships.
• Provide needed support on other assignments where other MDF colleagues are Team Leaders.

Required Skills or Experience

• Management expertise in projects, programmes, teams or organisations i.e. steering people, providing business advisory, client management, financial management, knowledge management.
• Served as team leader for single and multi-country programme external evaluation assignments applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as outcome mapping, outcome harvesting, contribution analysis, and quasi-experimental studies applying sampling techniques and using among others difference-in-difference methods.
• Expertise in assisting organisations or programmes in the design and management of monitoring and evaluation strategies, frameworks and plans including the development of data collection, analysis, and reporting tools and templates.
• Experience in leading evaluation assignments within the West Africa region.
• Strong expertise in online data collection and analysis using digital technologies such as Kobo Collect, Survey Monkey, Akvo FLOW, Ona among others others.
• Strong data collection and processing skills i.e. data gathering via interviews, focus-group discussions, check-lists and analysing situations, documents, data sheets.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills via Excel, SPSS, Nvivo, MaxQData and other data analysis software. Statistics studies background and application at work will be an advantage.
• Ability  to write strong proposals and reports i.e. clear, to-the-point, high analytical level, in-depth, proper English (or French), in time, understanding client needs.
• Previous consultancy and advisory expertise, individually or as part of an organization/firm.
• Strong participatory facilitation and presentation skills/expertise. Comfortable to stand in front of and guide a group (4-25 people) with an international character.
• Maintaining client relationships and networking.
• At least 10 years of working experience in an international context, of which minimum 5 years as lead evaluator/consultant.
• Ability to handle administrative, modern communication and knowledge management technologies – Office 365 package, Adobe, PiktoChart, online data collection tools and more.
• Sub-Regional (ECOWAS) and international working experience.
• Education level: Masters degree or equivalent in (international) business management, social studies, international development and or relations, international trade etc.
• Excellent ability in speaking and writing in English on a professional level. Knowledge of French language will be an asset.

• Service- and client- oriented.
• Independent worker, pro-active/take initiative, business-driven, professional attitude
• Team player, flexible, goes the extra mile, not a 9 to 5 mentality.
• Strong communication skills (both verbal and written) on regional and international level via email, phone and face-to-face i.e. respectful, business-oriented, broad vocabulary, understanding culture and customs.
• Practise transparency in dealing with colleagues and clients.
• Can deal with productivity and turnover targets.
• Committed to continuous learning and self-improvement.
• Interest in management for development.