NICHOLAS OFORI
Koforidua
Summary
High-performing professional with integrity and leadership skills. Applies knowledge and abilities to positively impact organization. Flexible in different situations and dynamic conditions. Works great under extreme stress and deadlines.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Programmed Officer (SPO)
Fairtrade Africa
01.2019 - Current
- Regional program Lead responsible for leading implementation of strategic pillars of Fairtrade strategy 2021-2025, overseeing overall development, design, budget and compliance, monitoring, and evaluation of projects, ensuring programmed growth and scalability with partners and program teams
- Responsible for offering support on issues such as gender in programming, institutional development, and capacity development for women and young people engaging in farming
- Supported gender leads and ensured the integration of gender analysis into all the activities within the agricultural value chain
- Supervised and monitored some donor-funded projects covering more than 10 countries and observing to the achievement of objectives and direct financial goals
- Initiated and oversaw knowledge management projects for the training of women and the youths on entrepreneurship and enterprise development
- Oversaw relations with donors including preparation of reports and case studies illustrating the regions served by Fairtrade
- Assisted in the management of knowledge ensuring that the best practices as well as lessons learned are documented
- Lead in identifying women, youth and girls’ rights to lead change and transformation among women groups, cooperatives, unions, associations etc
- Towards the full achievement of human rights in the Fairtrade supply chain and value chain
- Have supported over 10000s of women in women groups and feminist organization in vocational investment and value chain funding
- Responsible for programs representation, planning and delivery, stakeholders engagement and partnership management, joining Global team working, Research/ Learning, and impact reporting
- Led the integration of gender considerations in agricultural innovations, enhancing the capacity of over 85000 women and youth in entrepreneurship and enterprise development
Business Development Advisor
Fairtrade Africa
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Lead in delivering business advisory, developed and implemented comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning frameworks to assess project outcomes and impact in Africa and Middle East
- Coordinated data collection and analysis efforts, ensuring timely and accurate reporting on program progress
- Oversaw 13 projects with an annual budget totaling $60 million across Somalia, Somaliland, and Puntland, ensuring adherence to project cycles and strategic guidance while optimizing resource allocation
- Supervised the documentation and dissemination of daily, weekly, and monthly project outcomes, facilitating continuous learning and improvement
- Including the designing and implementation of gender strategies, policies, and anti-sexual harassment policies in over 14 countries in Africa and the Middle East, including mainstreaming in projects and policies
- Successfully developed and implemented gender and safeguarding policies across 14 countries, impacting 800000 farmers in Africa and the Middle East
Liaison Officer for Anglophone West Africa
Fairtrade International
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Lead in the implementation of partnership and stakeholders’ strategic management in the region
- Increased women’s participation to leadership positions in farmer organizations to 25% percent
- Sourced $2 million for passing to gender-focused projects from major international donors
- Built capacity for 500 individuals on critical topics such as project management, business, planning, digital marketing, and financial management
Consultant, Producer Support & Services
Fairtrade International
01.2014 - 12.2014
- Advisory Services on certification requirements, product/market information and technical support on sustainable production
- Spearheaded the development of monitoring tools and frameworks, ensuring compliance and effective project implementation
Operations Manager
ASCoT Amsterdam/Wienco
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Responsible for leading strategic direction and delivery, ensuring overall activity work plan, timeline, recruitment and budget compliance
- Supporting 87000+ of cocoa and food crops farmers from six (6) regions in Ghana to improve their livelihoods through sustainable production and transfers of climate-smart technology with scientific knowledge in agribusiness and entrepreneurial skills
- Lead in advocacy and gender action plan with youth inclusive in all activities and related support to communities in Ghana and Liberia operational areas
Area Manager
National Food Bufferstock (NAFCo)
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Managing northern sector with five (5) regions (Ashanti, B/A, Northern, Upper East and Upper West) of the program
- Overseeing the delivery of NAFCo strategic direction, process management, stakeholder and partnership management, providing technical interventions to aggregators, farmers, processors, traders, and supporting commercial partners, the licensing buyers and the key stakeholders, including compliance of budget, timeline, recruitment etc
- In the day-to-day delivery of programs
- Lead in coordinating with Government agencies- Sector Ministries, Metropolitan, Municipals & District Assemblies, NGOs and other private partners in the development of food security policies
- Implementing sector-wide training modules on post-harvest handling for cereals and grains supply chain actors including various farmer associations and local buying agencies
Evaluation Field Manager - Research
ADRA
01.2008 - 12.2008
- Co-ordinated and led research on evaluation of market information systems in Ghana
- Trained enumerators; set out sampling plan and oversaw its implementation; supervised team; streamlined collection and processing of data; organized and mobilized research respondents; analyzed data and wrote research report
Tutor
Asuansi Agriculture Institute
01.2006 - 12.2007
- Teaching, Research, Guidance and Consultation in the field of Agri-Business Management, Agri-Marketing and ethical label/certification, developing teaching materials and students project supervision
Research Assistant (Field Research Assistant)
University of Ghana, Legon-Accra
01.2004 - 12.2005
- Applied statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analyses to experimental data, providing meaningful insights into research outcomes
- Assisted scientists in collecting, organizing, and managing laboratory data, ensuring the accuracy and accessibility of information
- Monitored counts of insect pests on crop plants, contributing valuable data to pest management strategies
- Assisted in farmer and student training
Agriculture Extension Officer
WIAD (Women In Agric Development)
01.2000 - 12.2003
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and thriving agribusiness through research and technology development transfer
- Delivering effective extension support services to farmers, processors and traders for improved livelihood
Education
PhD, Business Strategy
Monarch Business School Switzerland
Schwyz, Switzerland11-2025
PMP Certificate - Project Management Professional
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Ghana12.2019
Certificate in Corporate Governance and Leadership -
Kenya Centre for Corporate Governance
Nairobi, Kenya12.2019
PMD Pro Certificate - Project Management for Development Professionals
APMG International GIMPA
Accra, Ghana12.2018
UN REDD+ Certificate -
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
12.2018
National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture -
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
12.2017
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic and Project Management
Paris Graduate School of Management
Paris, France11.2015
Master of Public Sector Management -
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Achimota, Ghana12.2013
Bachelor of Science (Hon) - Agriculture
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Kumasi, Ghana05.2006
Diploma in General Agriculture -
Nyankpala College of Agriculture
Tamale02.1998
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Budgeting and finance
- Report Preparation
- Community Relations
- Reporting and documentation
- Innovation and Creativity
- Training & Facilitation
- Advocacy
- Research, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Stakeholder Management
Timeline
Senior Programmed Officer (SPO)
Fairtrade Africa
01.2019 - Current
Business Development Advisor
Fairtrade Africa
01.2016 - 01.2018
Liaison Officer for Anglophone West Africa
Fairtrade International
01.2015 - 01.2016
Consultant, Producer Support & Services
Fairtrade International
01.2014 - 12.2014
Operations Manager
ASCoT Amsterdam/Wienco
01.2012 - 12.2013
Area Manager
National Food Bufferstock (NAFCo)
01.2009 - 12.2011
Evaluation Field Manager - Research
ADRA
01.2008 - 12.2008
Tutor
Asuansi Agriculture Institute
01.2006 - 12.2007
Research Assistant (Field Research Assistant)
University of Ghana, Legon-Accra
01.2004 - 12.2005
Agriculture Extension Officer
WIAD (Women In Agric Development)
01.2000 - 12.2003
PhD, Business Strategy
Monarch Business School Switzerland
PMP Certificate - Project Management Professional
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Certificate in Corporate Governance and Leadership -
Kenya Centre for Corporate Governance
PMD Pro Certificate - Project Management for Development Professionals
APMG International GIMPA
UN REDD+ Certificate -
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
National Adaptation Plans: Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture -
United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Strategic and Project Management
Paris Graduate School of Management
Master of Public Sector Management -
Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration
Bachelor of Science (Hon) - Agriculture
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Diploma in General Agriculture -
Nyankpala College of Agriculture
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