ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004 and currently leads humanitarian assistance and longer-term development efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, Gedaref, and Khartoum States, supporting host communities, IDPs, returnees and refugees. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, peace building and protection, resilience, and Market Systems Development.

Enhancing Community Resilience (SOMOUD) is a two-year, $70 M USD food security Activity in Kassala, Northern and River Nile States of Sudan and focuses on improving production, yields and post-harvest in key staple crop value chains namely sorghum, millet, and wheat. The Activity is funded by World Bank and implemented by World Food Program (WFP) and Mercy Corps. Activities are designed to increase smallholder farmers' access to key inputs, knowledge, and skills through expansion of last mile agent networks and community extension training. The Activity will also provide support to producer groups to reduce post-harvest losses through the provision of equipment / training. Small and medium enterprise agribusinesses provide a critical cornerstone in key value chains within Sudan and act as a focal point for aggregation, processing, and distribution. They provide a critical link between smallholder farmers / producer cooperatives and consumers organizations. Mercy Corps will facilitate to build/rebuild existing/ new productive relationships with different key private sector actors and expand critical micro small and medium enterprise agribusinesses, including the establishment of a business development grant facility. A particular focus will be given on linking IDPs with consumer organizations so that they can access affordable and high-quality food.  

THE POSITION   Summary

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified, and business oriented Sudanese to fill in the position of Project Assistant- SOMOUD. Reporting to the Project Manager, the holder of this position will use Mercy Corps Strategy of Pathway to Possibilities, Resilience Framework and Market Systems Development Approach and work with farmer producer organizations and their extension agents, small medium enterprises, and consumer cooperatives to ensure farmers are trained on, adopt, better yield from climate smart agriculture practices; and get the relevant services from the private sector. S/he will oversee field level implementation and will represent the frontline staff for all activities related to SOMOUD.

Program implementation, partner capacity development and oversight.

• Support in gathering information for needs and other assessment, participate in the validation workshops of assessments and stakeholder platforms/events.
• Under the guidance of PM and program officer, implement program activities related farmer producer organizations, small medium enterprises, and consumer cooperatives.
• Support in development and dissemination of training manuals on resilience design agriculture.
• Lead social behavioral change activities that will allow the farmers to adopt the promoted agriculture practices by using their knowledge and skills. 
• Identify, train, deploy, mentor and coach community extension agents of the farmer producer organizations to train farmers on resilience agriculture.
• Support SOMOUD in the process of identification of legally registered business entities that will be provided with the matching grants selected competitively based on submission of technical proposals and the matching contribution in the form of cash or assets.
• Monitor and mentor the selected private sector in their day-to-day implementation of their business plan that is part of the matching grant agreement.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess activity implementation progress, give technical advice / mentor and provide feedback(s) to trainers, farmers, partners, staff for further improvement.
• Closely work with supervisor and MEL team to develop results chains, monitoring tools/ measuring indicators, milestones development, and collecting indicator related information for output and outcomes indicators.
• Ensures the program properly captures, documented, and updated relevant information including weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual and activity reports and contributes to donor reports.
• In collaboration with supervisor, work to build and maintain close relationships with key partners, (government, private sector, associations, and local authorities).
• Engage relevant stakeholders (government, extension services providers etc.) to ensure farmers receive adequate quality training and adopt Resilient Agricultural practices.
• Support program partners in provision of embedded extension services through seed retailers
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor.

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.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or crop production or close relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience with INGOs and small holder farmers in production and marketing.
• Experience working in market support /strengthening programs (MSD)/ approach is a high advantage.
• 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. 
• Experience in Climate smart interventions, agriculture projects and resilience is an added advantage
• Familiarity with national agriculture and livestock sector strategies, tools and approaches is required.
• Strong negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with a vast audience.
• Experience of gender dynamics in target areas and knowledge of national gender policy frameworks
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights, human rights and social justice.
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, community consultation; teamwork and problem-solving.
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic and representation skills is required
• 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 FACTOR

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. 

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

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.

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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

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.

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The position is based in one of the SOMOUD operating states of Kassala, River Nile or Northern.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment to a field posting. 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