Agriculture Specialist

Position:- Agriculture SpecialistLocation:- GODE (Somali region)Position Status: Full TimeAbout Mercy CorpsMercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.  Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps Ethiopia currently secured USAID/BHA funded multisectoral response program entitled ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected Populations (HACAP)” in Oromia, Afar and Somali regions. The goal of the proposed program is to increase access to Life-saving Services for Conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees, and Vulnerable Populations through provision of integrated Multi-Sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Health, Nutrition, Agriculture, Protection, and Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) support in seven Woredas of the three regions.

Position Summary:

The Agriculture Specialist will lead the timely and quality implementation of agricultural interventions under the HACAP program, which is under operation in Adadle, Berano, and Abakorow Woredas of the Somali Region, and in Gumi Eldalo and Liben Woredas of the Oromia Region. The role involves providing leadership, guidance, coordination, and technical support to Agriculture Officers, Livestock Officers, and stakeholders to ensure program success and enhance agricultural productivity. The Agriculture Specialist will also offer technical assistance for Mercy Corps’ humanitarian responses, support new business development, ensure program teams work in line with nationally endorsed guidelines, develop tools, checklists, and standard operating procedures, and design and manage training and capacity-building efforts.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical facilitation for agriculture activities, ensuring timely and quality implementation of crop and vegetable production initiatives.
• Facilitate and coordinate market systems assessments, validation workshops, and stakeholder platforms/events in collaboration with the project coordinator.
• Organize capacity-building efforts for market actors (private and public) on MSD approaches, identifying market system opportunities/constraints through continuous system analysis, and ensuring access to agricultural inputs and delivery of market feed/fodder and inputs to targeted communities.
• Develop and implement short-term strategies to create linkages between market actors (e.g., training providers, technology providers, input suppliers, producers, traders, processors, cooperatives) to improve outreach in the target community.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess activity implementation progress, provide technical advice, mentorship, and feedback for improvement.
• Work with the supervisor and M&E team to develop monitoring tools, measure indicators, develop milestones, and monitor/report on outputs and outcomes.
• Ensure the program properly captures, documents, and updates relevant information in crop and vegetable production activities of HACAP.
• Build and maintain close relationships with key government partners and local implementers.
• Represent Mercy Corps professionally at zonal and woreda levels, maintaining its humanitarian and development mission.
• Compile and submit regular updates/reports (weekly, monthly, and quarterly).

Strategy & Vision:

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

Program Management:

• Ensure program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ program principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Ensure beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts and oversee a training program for program partners.
• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution processes, and capacity building for partners.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, on target, and on budget, using effective M&E systems to achieve desired impacts.
• 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.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management:

• Support and liaise with Agriculture officer and Livestock officer in managing the agricultural intervention of HACAP Program.
• Develop team capacity, deepen understanding of their roles, and assist with career development.
• Provide team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation:

• Understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to their realization.
• Promote a gender-equal and inclusive workplace culture in daily interactions with team members, partners, and program participants.

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 and themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• The Agriculture Specialist will supervise the Agriculture Officer and Livestock officer.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Program Coordinator
• Works Directly With: Finance, WASH Specialist, Protection Officer, Health and Nutrition Team, etc.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (MSc/MA preferred) in Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in private sector and/or NGOs focused on MSD (facilitation and providing technical support), agribusiness, and/or financial services.
• Good understanding of the Markets4Poor approach and market development facilitation, including coaching, relationship building, communication, entrepreneurial/business understanding, and innovation.
• Experience in supporting private sector-led business enterprises in pastoral/agro-pastoral settings, providing business development support, and working with industries (public and private), institutions, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of participatory analyses, action, and results processing.
• Experience/exposure to the location/region applied for.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.
• Proficiency in English and the local languages is a plus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diverse candidates to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.

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 Misconduct Disclosure Scheme — SCHR. 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 Ethics policies and reporting misconduct | Mercy Corps and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.  “Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.” DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:  03 June 2024/ 4:00 PM