PROGRAM SUMMARY:

Sustainable AgriFood Systems Approach for Sudan (SASAS)’ program aims to promote gains in food security and livelihoods through a demand-driven approach, with locally appropriate value chains developed in a co-creation process with communities and organizations. SASAS will deliver a range of activities in Khartoum state engaging private and public sectors to create demand-pull agricultural development, induce technology change and sustainable value chain development. The project is funded by USAID though CIMMYT.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy corps is looking for an experienced, qualified, and business oriented Sudanese to fill in the position of program officer -Market Integration and agribusiness development. Reporting to the Program Manager, the holder of this technical position will implement aspects related to the agriculture market systems strengthening and development of agribusiness opportunities for farmers and linkage between farmers and MSMEs. She/he will be responsible for leading, designing and implementing market systems and agribusiness-related activities of the program from assessments, activity planning, implementation and reporting. He/she will be responsible for tracking changes in the market systems, private sector partnership implementation, farmer intuitional development, monitoring, participant impacts tracking and providing recommendations.

He/she will also use market systems development approach to stimulate economic growth to create increased income and build wealth for farmers while maximizing investment from the private and public sectors. Additionally, he/she will work with key market players to ensure capacity building of farmers, agribusinesses and farmer institutions and linkage to market players. He/She will contribute to analytical thinking and innovative approaches and will support integration of all SASAS program components.

S/he will be required to apply a wide variety of modern, resilient and environmentally smart tools and approaches in order to ensure small holder farmers have improved and resilient and commercially viable yields. The Officer will be responsible for Capacity building of Agribusinesses and farmer groups/Cooperatives, promoting adoption and driving commercial production and incorporation of Natural resource management in interventions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

• Program implementation, partner capacity development and oversight.
• Support market assessments to assess current situation, ongoing changes, economic opportunities and resources, needs, possible interventions and strategy development. 
• Led implementation of assigned market development program activities (inputs, outputs, financial services, digital agricultural services and any other sectors).
• Facilitate capacity development for market actors (private and public) on the MSD approaches, identification of the market opportunities and overcome constraints.
• Support market actors to develop models to support the establishment and/or expansion of last mile service delivery of inputs, financial services, information, output markets etc. 
• Facilitate the development and implementation of short, medium and long-term strategies to create linkages between market actors to improve outreaches in the target communities for increased production, income and resilience.
• Facilitate the implementation of the impactful activities by market actors to create opportunities which leads increased use of inputs, cultivated rea, yields and income.
• Identify and operationalize business opportunity linkages between market actors (various companies and small holder farmers) improved returns for all actors.
• Carry out farmer institutional development for farmer groups, associations and cooperatives.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess activity implementation progress, give technical advice / mentor and provide feedback(s) to farmers, partners, staff for further improvement.
• Work with supervisor and MEL team to develop results chains, monitoring tools/ measuring indicators, milestones development, and monitoring/ reporting of output and outcomes.
• In collaboration with supervisor, work to build and maintain close relationships with key partners, (government, private sector, associations and local authorities.
• Lead commercialization of small holder farming practices and enterprises and link farmers to small, medium and large markets for products and other market-oriented opportunities. 
• Provide technical assistance to PSPs to implement models such as last mile input delivery systems, contract farming, output aggregation) to improve inclusivity for small holder farmers.
• Support PSPs in developing appropriate training materials and approaches for small holder farmers and to mobilize targeted participants to fully participate in promoted opportunities.
• Compile reports on PSP activities, review reports and ensure milestone-based payments.
• Any other tasks assigned.

Collaboration, Networking, Representation and Coordination

• Maintain good coordination and working relationships and solicit participation in activities where appropriate and as directed to create synergy, share experiences and obtain support for program objectives.
• On PM’s guidance, coordinate and share information with relevant stakeholders (government, NGOs etc.) and obtain their support for meaning participation, access to resources and decision making by women.
• Represent Mercy Corps and the program in FSL Working Groups and other local FSL forums and GBV working group meetings on behalf of the Program Manager.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. 

Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and reporting on the FSL thematic area by ensuring formulation of relevant indicators, participating in assessments, surveys and ensuring appropriate analysis. 
• Work closely with the MEL team to capture data for measuring output, outcome and impact
• Conduct monitoring visits to assess the effectiveness of program activities and adjust as required.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that are indicative of program progress. Respond to queries when necessary and maintain a proper filing system as required.
• Provide follow up on recommendations and solutions where there are problems in implementation. 

 Security 

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves. 

Accountability to Beneficiaries 

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically 
  to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Market integration officers and assistants, as well as support departments, (Finance, Operations, Logistics & Human resources) and other MC staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, Agriculture economics or any relevant discipline.
• A minimum 3 years’ experience with INGOs in agriculture and marketing support programs.
• Experience in working in the private sector, specifically agriculture input, output and post-harvest materials, or financial services or related field is an added advantage. 
• Familiarity with national agriculture and livestock sector strategies, tools and approaches.
• Strong negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work with a diverse audience.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights, human rights and social justice.
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, teamwork and problem-solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic and representation skills.
• Good computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point
• Commitment to working with program participants in need regardless of race, religion or gender.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Strong networking, partnership and collaborative spirit.
• Strong follow-up skills and a make-it-happen attitude with operations, finance, and other staff.
• Business minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.
• Tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner and NGO-sector actors

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

 As a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment.

Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.