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.

THE POSITION   Summary

Mercy Corps is seeking an experienced, qualified, and business-oriented Sudanese professional to fill the position of Project Officer - Agribusiness. The successful candidate will utilize Mercy Corps' Strategy of Pathway to Possibilities, Resilience Framework, and Market Systems Development Approach to i. Strengthen the capacity of off-farm small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through business development services and matching grants. ii.Link farmer production organizations to value-addition, agro-processors, and other off-farm SMEs. The position will support the Private Sector Partnership Manager in executing private sector engagement activities for the SOMOUD 1 Program. The role will involve assisting the Manager in programmatic delivery under the SOMOUD program and supporting Mercy Corps' contracts system. Additionally, the agribusiness officer will contribute to understanding the market and enterprise systems of SMEs to foster productive and concrete relationships between farmers and consumers.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

Technical Capacity

• Support the activity of conducting a market system assessment to understand the formal and informal enterprise systems of private companies within the selected agriculture value chains.
• Build the capacity of the business entities to develop a business plan and grant agreement that adheres to the principle of transparency, competitive allocation of funds, management guidelines, and support for private sector actors engaged in value addition in selected value chains.
• Lead the process of identification of legally registered business entities that will be provided with the matching grants selected competitively based on the submission of technical proposals and the matching contribution in the form of cash or assets. 
• Monitor and mentor the selected private sector in the day-to-day implementation of their business plan that is part of the grant agreement and support them in developing/disseminating market information to establish market linkages with producer and consumer organizations.

Program Management 

• Offer continuous technical guidance, capacity-building support, mentoring, and coaching to agribusinesses, partners, and staff that SOMOUD is working with.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess activity implementation progress, give technical advice/mentor, and provide feedback(s) to SMEs / partners.
• Closely work with supervisor and MEL team to develop results chains, monitoring tools/ measuring indicators, milestones development, and monitoring of output and utcomes.
• Ensure the program properly captures, documents, and updates relevant information including through weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual and activity reports, and contribute to donor reports.
• In collaboration with supervisor, work to build and maintain close relationships with key partners, (government, private sector, associations, and local authorities).
• Facilitate program partners in the development and capacity building of support establishment of last-mile agricultural supply points and networks.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

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

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly To:   Project Manager- Dongola

Works Directly With: Project Officer- Agriculture, Project Officer- Consumer Coops, Project Assistants. MEL Officer, Partnership Officer 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS AND STAKEHOLDERS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS 

• Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, a degree in Business Management, Social development or economics, or any related discipline.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience with the private sector in Business Development, Planning, Project Management, or Business Strategy.
• Preferrable a minimum 1-year experience with NGOs, and INGOs, in the development sector, production, and marketing. “Optional” to work under one of the funder grants.
• Experience working in market support/strengthening programs or MSD approach.
• A background in working within the systems of agriculture input, output, post-harvest materials, financial services, budgeting analysis, or a related field is an added advantage.
• Strong negotiation, and representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with a vast audience.
• Experience with 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 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

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 Dongola.

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.