ORGANISATION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper.

Our mission: to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and is facilitating recovery by addressing economic recovery needs and laying the groundwork for long-term development. MC Europe’s work in Sudan has three major components: Civil Society Development, Economic Recovery and Development and Humanitarian Assistance with activities that span many sectors including agriculture, market and livelihoods development, water/sanitation, capacity building, peace building, infrastructure rehabilitation, emergency distribution. MC Europe is committed to long-term programming in Sudan and faces numerous opportunities for expansion.  

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Strengthening markets, Productive Alliances & financial services in Rural communities (SPARK) programme, implemented by Mercy Corps and funded by the Netherlands MOFA ($3.4 million), aims to improve prosperity, employment, and food security in rural Sudanese communities through a market systems development approach. The programme strengthens value chain linkages between smallholder farmers, MSMEs, and larger buyers in the agricultural sector through key activities: value chain development, business development services, market aggregation networks, solar-powered agro-processing hubs and irrigation, and business grants. By doing so, SPARK enhances agricultural productivity, creates job opportunities, and improves livelihoods, ultimately boosting economic growth and stability in rural Sudan

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

Program implementation, partner capacity development and oversight.

• Activity Implementation: Lead the planning and implementation of all project activities, ensuring alignment with project goals and objectives. Specifically:
  • Strengthen upstream value chain linkages between MSMEs and smallholder farmers / producer associations through provision of business development services (bds) to MSMEs agribusinesses, creation of farm output market aggregation networks, 
  • Strengthen downstream value chain linkages between MSMEs and larger buyers / processors through provision of technical & advisory support for MSMEs agro-processors, and business to business (B2B) networking opportunities
  • Build demand side capacity of MSME agri-businesses to receive and manage financing through provision of financial education to MSME agri-businesses to address demand-side challenges and provision of Information and awareness-raising campaign targeting MSME agri-businesses
  • Build supply-side capacity of FSP to provide appropriate, sustainable & scalable financing to MSME agri-businesses through development of new products, services and capacities to address supply-side challenges and through management of Agri-business Recovery grant
• Capacity Development: Develop and implement initiatives to enhance the capabilities of SMEs, output aggregation networks, and other market actors. 
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Conduct regular field visits to assess progress, provide technical advice, and ensure effective data collection and analysis. Prepare regular reports to stakeholders. 
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate with stakeholders at all levels to foster synergies and effective collaboration. Build and maintain relationships with key partners. 
• Partner Management: Identify, develop, and manage project partners, including SMEs, financial institutions, and BDS providers. Monitor their performance and ensure accountability. 
• Business linkages: Identify and facilitate business opportunity linkages between market actors to improve returns for all parties involved. 
• Capacity Building: Design and implement tailored capacity-building interventions to address capacity gaps of small and medium businesses. 
• Technical Support: Provide continuous technical guidance, mentoring, and coaching to agribusinesses participating in the program.

Safeguarding Responsibilities[TF1] 

• 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 option

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 PLs’ 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. 

 [TF1]This part is standard language should be added to each and every PD

QUALIFICATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in agribusiness, agriculture economics,business, development studies, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in project implementing development projects (agribusiness or marketing support programs etc.).
• Skills: Experience in providing technical assistance and training, Strong negotiation, skills and the ability to work with a diverse audience, networking, collaboration, teamwork and problem-solving. Good computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Word, Excel and Power Point. 
• Understanding: Familiarity with agricultural value chain analysis and market systems development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience: Experience in working with MSMEs and smallholder farmers or agricultural value chains.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of market assessment and analysis techniques, agricultural value chains and market facilitation principles. Excellent written and oral communication in English and Arabic.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING[TF1] 

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 Port Sudan.

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. 

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