Market Systems Development(MSD)Technical Specialist – Agri-business & Marketing 39 views

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. Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible.  Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

Position Title: Market Systems Development(MSD)Technical Specialist – Agri-business &      Marketing

 Location: Addis Ababa

 Number of Positions: One

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps is seeking an experienced Market Systems Development(MSD) technical Specialist for Agri-business and marketing activity support under Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral production and Marketing component (Component 3) of 5-year Feed the Future Resilience in Pastoral Area(RiPA-North) program. RiPA is designed to improve the resilience capacities of households, market and governance institutions, collectively contributing to enhanced food security and inclusive economic growth for over 140,000 households in the Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral areas of Afar, Oromia and Somali Regions.  The MSD technical specialist by directly reporting to Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Production and Marketing Team Leader will support planning, implementation and overseeing of agri-business and marketing activities of the   pastoral/Agro-pastoral production (i.e. Livestock and Crop/fodder) and marketing component of RIPA with deep understanding of the pastoral and agro-pastoral context of the target area.  Moreover, he/she will closely work with Sr. MSD advisor within a component, with other component team members (i.e. Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Diversified and Sustainable Economic Opportunities for people transitioning out of Pastoralism, improved and sustained nutrition and Hygiene, Collaboration Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Team), Cross cutting team (e.g. Peace building and Gender advisors) and with RiPA consortium members to ensure better synergy of efforts and resources uses to maximize program achievements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program and Technical Activities

●       Participate in the planning, implementing and overseeing of MSD activities focused on the agri-business (livestock, crop, feed/fodder) and marketing to ensure that staff and partners are following work plans, planned activities are implementing as scheduled and the deliverables are meeting the expectations;

●       Provide technical backstopping and facilitation supports for livestock (dairy, fattening, livestock product processing), crop, feed/fodder related business establishment, expansion and/or growth in in the program target area;

●       Provide technical backstopping for field level MSD team (Afar, Somali and Oromia) to better implement planned activities;

●       Work closely with other component team and consortium members to create better coordination and harmonization of activity implementation to create alignment with program implementation approach (i.e. market systems approach) to contribute for resilience development of households and market in the program target area;

●       Facilitates the implementation of planned Trainings of Trainers(TOTs) and cascading trainings to program participants in collaboration with field team;

●       Participate in monitoring and evaluation of field activities and develop regular progress reports in in area of his/her responsibilities;

●       In close collaboration with team leader, work closely to create good communication and smooth working relationships with RIPA stakeholders;

●       Assist on development, design and proposal writing for related programming as needed.

Representation and Coordination

●       Liaise with local government partners, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs;

●       Support to maintain close working relationships with other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned;

●       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.

Team management

●       Build effective relationships with program teams while implementing agri-business and marketing activities, based on mutual trust, collaboration, urgency and curiosity;

●       Assist team members with information, tools and resources development to improve performance & reach objectives;

●       Promote accountability, communicate with expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally;

●       Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;

●       Support hiring and orientation of team members related to area of expertise as needed;

Knowledge and Experience

●       BA/BSc in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Marketing and/or related field.  MA/MSc preferred.

●       4 years’ work experience in NGO and/or profit making organizations implementing in pastoralists/agro-pastoralist areas;

●       At least 3years of experience demonstrated experience on supporting agri-business development activity (mainly focused on livestock and livestock production supporting inputs) and/or implementing Market System Approach based programs (understanding MSD approach will be highly required);

●       Understanding Ethiopia pastoral production context, production system, market dynamics, extension service delivery system;

●       Understanding in the dynamics of private sector in the pastoral and Agro-pastoral area context

●       Strong English communication and writing skills;

●       Strong communication and facilitation skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.

●       Knowledge and experience in implementing donor funded development activities (desired).

Success Factors:

The successful Technical specialist has knowledge and experience related to all elements of agri-business support of pastoral and agro-pastoral production and marketing. Of particular importance is expertise with pastoral-specific business development and pastoral product (Livestock/Livestock products) market facilitation. S/he will combine exceptional capacity building skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and advise innovative program ideas within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, M&E skills and experience.