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 Kassala 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 

General Position Summary 

The Project Manager is overall responsible for the day-to-day implementation of implementation of agriculture, extension and market components of the program. The position will recruit and train community extension trainers, and mentor them to train more farmers. The position holder will also support market-based activities (overseeing seed sales, sale of hematic bags, building the capacity of retail agents among others. The Project Assistant reports directly to the Project Manager. 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Support market assessments to investigate current situation, economic opportunities and resources, needs, interventions and take part in strategy review /development. 
• Review /develop short, medium and long-term agriculture sector activities and strategies.
• Train, deploy and monitor community extension workers to deliver agriculture extension services to farmers with the objective of improving their practices and ultimately yields.
• Support the successful implementation of partnerships with private companies through joint planning, oversight, advisories, capacity building etc.
• Support the development and strengthening of the business relationships between rural communities/ farmers, groups, cooperatives with agribusinesses/private sector partners. 
• Support assigned companies in developing and deploying training materials and approaches.
• Regularly review and report on progress towards attainment of project outputs, objectives and outcomes.
• Provide technical support to private sector partners (PSPS) to understand their clientele, develop and pilot tailored services for smallholder farmers.
• Review reports from private sector and prepare milestone-based payment requests.
• Develop and implement activities which improve the capacity and livelihood of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to qualify for, access and effectively utilize formal and informal financial services.
• Provide technical support to PSP to establish and strengthen last mile input distribution and output aggregation networks, markets and business models to enable access to quality inputs and equipment.

REPRESENTATION

• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, village councils and local government in the target districts the area.
• Mobilize communities to participate in the design, implementation and maintenance of projects as well as design viable strategies which are both respectful with the local culture and sensitive towards the female population but that are effective in engaging women in the activities of the program.
• Ensure close coordination with relevant government institutions (Ministry of Agriculture, Humanitarian Aid Commission, Government representatives, etc.).
• Stay informed on Sudan-wide cross-cutting issues relevant to the Project including agricultural programming, agri-enterprise development, livestock issues and community development initiatives 

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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: SASAS Project Manager

Works Directly With: SASAS program team, Director of Programs, Program Performance & Quality Director & MEL Manager and Program officer

Knowledge and Experience 

• Required: bachelor’s degree in agriculture, OR Agribusiness or closely related field.
• Required: Experience program working with smallholder farmers, livelihoods and markets.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working with INGOs on development programs.
• Good verbal and written English communication, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Strong computer skills particularly office applications such as word, excel, Power point etc.
• Demonstrated adaptability, creativity, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and self-accountability.
• Excellent teamwork abilities, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, attention to detail.
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
• Strong organizational and report-writing skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic languages.
• 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.
• This post requires a high computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications. 
• Sincere commitment to engaging women in community agricultural initiatives. 
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Success Factors 

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The post must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

Females are highly encouraged to apply.

Please submit:

• Application Letter
• Copy of educational certificates
• CV
• Experience certificates

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. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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.