Technical Leadership and Program implementation

•  Develops own deep understanding of value chain development and market systems strengthening facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurial/business understanding and innovating;
•  Facilitate a clear pathway for inclusive agricultural and non-agricultural value chain development through identifying opportunities and constraints of the PSNP households with a primary focus on women and youth across the six target regions.
•  Participate in the planning, implementing and overseeing of of the market system/Value chain pillar focused on livestock, crop production and non-agricultural sectors/systems to ensure that staff and partners are following work plans, planned activities are implementing as scheduled and the deliverables are meeting  required quantity and quality standards;
•  Provide technical advice, facilitation supports for livestock, crop production and non-agricultural value chains/markets activities for program participants and partners in the program target areas;
•  Lead and Coordinate assessments and analysis in the target regions across diverse market system function to understand constraints and identify opportunities across various private and public actors;
•  Becomes intimately familiar with all aspects of the relevant value chain/market systems the project is targeting including key actors (Producers, retailers, aggregators, traders training providers/TVETs, information service providers, warehouses, transporters, financial service providers, employment service providers, intermediary and terminal markets); governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions;
•  Strengthens private sector development in the regions and beyond by bringing new ideas and initiatives among the team and overall project and country program;
•  Facilitate Market Information Systems for business linkages to link market actors to opportunities;
•  Work closely access the HRA team and consortium members for creation of better coordination and harmonization of technical activities and strategies planned to improve value chain/market system activities in the local and export markets to contribute to the development of enhancing resilience;
•  Develops key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones and plans in close collaboration with supervisor and M&E team, and solely responsible for monitoring and reporting all output, outcome and impact indicators for respective market system(s);
•  Conducts her/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;

Strategy and Vision 

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Teamwork/Management 

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide training, oversight and support to local staff in relevant technical or organizational area
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management 

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Provide regular report on program activities as required by the program
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Representation 

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders
• Develop fruitful relationships with private sector actors engaged in the value chain/market systems
• Maintain good working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations and local partners including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings if assigned
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its development and humanitarian mission

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 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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  

•  BA/BSc in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Marketing and/or related field. MA/MSc preferred
•  5 years’ work experience with for profit, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) or profit agribusiness working with vulnerable, marginalized and pastoralists/agro-pastoralist groups.
•  3+ years’ proven experience in innovative value chain development or business models using best practices
•  Expertise/Experience across the highland areas of Ethiopia, research, extension, market facilitation, value chain development and natural resource management.
•  Experience in commercial crop, livestock, non-agricultural value chain development
•  Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing, and editing.
•  Strong communication and facilitation skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
•  Experience in the private sector is strongly preferred.
•  Knowledge and experience in implementing donor funded development activities desired.