ORGANISATION SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Europe, formerly known as Mercy Corps Scotland, has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur and South Kordofan States, supporting IDPs, returnees, refugees and host communities. Mercy Corps is also engaged in the South Sudanese refugee response in refugee camps across White Nile State.  Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, nutrition, peace building and protection.

PROGRAM SUMMARY 

Mercy Corps in partnership with ADRA are implementing a project aimed at improving food security for 20,000 male and female smallholder farmer households in south Kordofan and Blue Nile States through enhanced gender equitable market access and agricultural production. The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, will strengthen the capacities of key market actors, contributing to improved resilience capacities to shocks and stresses. The programme is guided by a Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilience approaches to sustain food security gains despite the complex risk environment in which smallholder farmers are exposed to. Specifically, the program will enable small holder farmers to increase climate resilient yields, sustainable natural resource management practices, market linkages, gender equity and empowerment of women and girls.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Mercy corps is looking for an experienced, qualified and business oriented Sudanese to fill in the position of Market Integration Coordinator. Reporting to the Program Manager, the holder of this technical position will implement aspects related to the agriculture market (Inputs, Outputs and Finance) component of the program in collaboration with other 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. They 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. S/he will work closely with the Program Manager and liaise with relevant authorities and agencies to ensure success.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Planning, developing and implementing market development activities

• Under the guidance of the program manager, take lead in planning and implementation of assessments in the target geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities and resources, needs/gaps and take lead in development of strategy for targeted sectors such as inputs markets, output markets, financial services and others targeted by SAFE.
• In conjunction with the Government and Community based agriculture extension services providers, ensure groups of vulnerable farmers receive and adopt adequate quality trainings on Climate Resilient Agricultural practices.
• Provide technical support to the SAFE team in forming and build capacity of Communities to engage in Community Action Planning (CAPs) to implement strategies to increase climate resilience and sustainable Natural Resource Management (NRM).
• Lead in and provide technical support to Market Integration Officers to promote commercialization of small holder farming and link farmers to markets for products and other market-oriented opportunities such as contract farming
• Take lead in and support the program team where necessary in establishment of rural networks for the supply of improved post-harvest handling equipment to small holder farmers and support communities to establish and utilize produce stores.
• Take lead in and support the program team where necessary in establishment of last mile agricultural inputs supply networks to demonstrate business cases to small holder farmers to increase production of food crops and cash crops through promotion of improved and climate smart inputs and technologies.
• Take lead in planning for and overseeing the implementation of the subsidized inputs strategy through the input seed companies to promote access for smallholder farmers
• Play a pivotal role in developing partnerships with financial institutions and linking farmer groups and cooperatives with both formal and non-formal financial institutions for small holder access and utilization of financial services with the ultimate objective of promoting investments by smallholder farmers in agriculture.
• Support identification and management of relevant Private Sector Partners (PSPs) and Partnerships and provide them technical support to develop appropriate business models that effectively serve farmers
• Introduce SAFE program to and maintain a good collaborative relationship with relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and community leaders and members.
• Develop capacity building materials for businesses, technical and financial capacities as well as participate in capacity building sessions for staff, companies, agribusinesses, cooperatives, groups and farmers.

      2-Collaboration/Networking, Representation and Coordination

• Represent SAFE program to the Donor, Government officials and other stakeholders as and when required to.
• Maintain close working relationships with development organizations, and local partners, including representing SAFE at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with State, locality and lower-level leaders, representing Mercy Corps and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed.
• Be the focal person for coordination and partnerships with Private Sector Partners and other partners.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Europe and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

        3-Documentation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation team to conduct studies, to capture data for measuring output and impact of the program; and to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field.
• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary and maintain proper filing system.
• Provide follow ups, recommendations and solutions where there are challenges during implementation.
• Other duties as assigned

Security

• Be fully aware of the security situation of the area and follow all precautionary procedures.
• Personal safety is the top priority. The incumbent is clearly advised not to take any risk whatsoever of personal insecurity at no time and under no circumstances.

Organizational Learning

As part of Mercy Corps’ 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 SAFE program, Mercy corps as a whole as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.

Do This 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Market Integration Officers, Environment and NRM Officers, Gender officer and other support staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Business studies or any relevant discipline.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience working with INGOs and small holder farmers in production and marketing activities.
• At least 1 year experience in working in the private sector, specifically agriculture input, output and post-harvest materials, or financial services or related field is a MUST.
• Experience in Climate smart interventions, agriculture/livelihoods projects and resilience is an added advantage
• Good verbal and written English, communication, organizational, prioritization and negotiation skills.
• Strong computer literacy and proficiency in Microsoft office applications including word, excel, Power point and other relevant applications.
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment.
• Excellent teamwork abilities, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, attention to detail and timeliness.
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.
• Strong organizational and report-writing skills.
• Good knowledge and experience of south Kodofan state and local context is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applying Do No harm frameworks concepts and approaches in high-risk security areas is an advantage.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Strong leadership and collaborative engagement with operations, finance and other program staff.
• Capacity to represent MC Europe with government officials, private sector, implementing partners and leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders.
• Flexibility, adaptability and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively in extreme conditions.
• Proven ability to take initiative, speediness and being accountable for attaining results.
• Ability to grasp and understand program details.
• Good temperament and a good sense of humor.