PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Work closely with the Livelihoods specialist/team lead and all other teams in designing and implementing business capacity building interventions of on farm enterprises of the program according to the approved work plan and budgets, project documents and implementation strategies.
• Provide technical leadership for design and implementation of activities using a market systems development approach
• Identify and manage partnerships that contribute both to sustainable and inclusive growth of agricultural private sector partners and to anticipated project results.
• With supervision and guidance from the livelihood specialist/team leader, conduct assessments, design projects, and lead strategy development.
• Supports the expansion of the high potential markets for Agriculture in target areas that could enhance the livelihood of PSNP households
• Identify the capacity gaps of small and medium on farm businesses working with the program design and implement feasible capacity building activities based on identified gaps.
• Lead the field level technical teams to execute quality activities, track results, update any changes in capacities, constraints, and incentives in the agricultural market system
• Build the capacity of project staff, partners, and stakeholders to foster agricultural market system upgrading that positively contributes to the livelihood of PSNP households.
• Conduct due diligence on potential partners and support the negotiation process, as requested, in finalizing teaming and partnership agreements.
• Provide continuous capacity support and oversee activities of on farm enterprises identified for capacity building support.
• Work closely with all other program teams to ensure synergies and to maximize program impact.
• Work closely with the monitoring, evaluation and learning and communication teams in setting baseline indexes of targeted businesses and track progress against set business capacity performance parameters.
• Actively participate in regular program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions.
• Build field team capacity in the areas of market systems development, agribusiness, business mentorship and coaching.
• Prepare periodic work plans and progress reports.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning environment.
• Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities.
• Conduct herself/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.

 TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Train and mentor teams with all aspects of agriculture market systems the project is targeting including key actors; governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• participate in recruitment and orientation of new team members as necessary.
• 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.

 MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING (MEL)

• Contribute for development and revision of the MEL system linked to On-farm related indicators, and information management, in close coordination with the MEL team.
• Coordinate data gathering and management with all field-based program staff
• Oversee scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program, with a high level of quality, requiring minimal revision.
• Ensure coordination and sharing of information with the program team and stakeholders.
• As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that other staff are able to engage in this organizational learning and career development opportunities.

 PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS

• Coordinate and support finance, operations and administrative staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities, including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.

Supervisory Responsibility

The On-farm enterprise advisor will technically supervise and guide field level livelihood specialists of the program

Reports Directly to: HRA Livelihood specialist/team lead

Works Directly with: HRA program team, HRA consortium partners, MEL team, Finance team, Operations team, private sector partners, and government stakeholders.

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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Masters degree preferable) in one of the following subjects: , Economics, Plant Science, Animal Science, Rural Development and agricultural extension and, Agricultural Economics;
• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in managing and implementing agricultural value chain development interventions/programs
• Proven experience in applying market-based approaches to increase agricultural productivity including collaborating with private sector national and international actors to achieve sustainable and scalable solutions for hard-to-reach communities (preferably experience in working with PSNP program).
• Deep understanding of PSNP program and the interplay between key agricultural market actors like financial service providers (MFI, Banks, and insurers), input suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets, governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills as well as familiarity with the agriculture sector is required.
• 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.
• Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously.
• A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.
• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with field team members, local patterns and program target groups.