Market Systems Development Officer – Mercy Corps
Job Title: Market Systems Development Officer
Organization: Mercy Corps
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
Mercy Corps is an International NGO that exists to alleviate poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been fully registered in Uganda as an operational NGO. Currently Mercy Corps has an office in Kampala and is implementing Food Security programs which comprise of Water and Sanitation, Livelihood and Agriculture and Conflict Mitigation Management Program in North and North Eastern Uganda. We implement programs in the northern districts of Pader, Kitgum, Agago, Lamwo, Kaabong, Abim and Kotido with funding from USAID, USDA, Walmart Foundation, SDC, DFID as well as other private donations.
Job Summary: The Market Systems Development Officer will implement all aspects of the market systems development strategy in the Apolou Activity. This includes strengthening private sector interventions in livestock and agriculture value chains, as well as scaling up financial inclusion and other products/services as relevant. The MSD Officer will work directly with the MSD Manager to developing agent input/output and aggregator networks, increasing local partners’ access to market information and financial services. The MSD Officer will ensure that private sector led, project-support development is tailored to the unique needs, opportunities and constraints of women and youth and that activities are integrated with all other consortium supported sectors.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategy & Vision
- Assist the Market Systems Development Manager to develop and implement the MSD team strategy
- Identify new opportunities for innovation and growth among private sector led interventions
Program Management
- Actively participate in market assessments in the target communities to determine capacity gaps, business opportunities and potential hindrances that could be mitigated through engagements with public and private sector actors. This will include but not be limited to rapid market assessments, value chain analysis and business support activities for the key stakeholders.
- Identify and engage private sector actors to effectively expand their business models in Karamoja Sub Region. This will include profiling businesses and conducting due diligence on potential partners, support the negotiation process to finalize teaming and partnership agreements, and providing ongoing business development support to key partners
- Foster ongoing positive cooperation with relevant stakeholders including MSMEs and the public sector to identify, assess and develop networks for potential linkages between market actors, producers and final consumers etc.
- Identify capacity gaps of MSME partner actors in Karamoja, design and conduct tailor made trainings, mentorship and coaching to boost their competiveness in the market and boost returns on investment.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Establish procedures and guidelines to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of economic development support work including setting and measuring benchmarks along results chains;
- Keenly analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations to inform decision making processes.
- Provide data in support of team’s submission of timely monthly and quarterly reports, strategic reviews, annual reports and midterm evaluations that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
Finance & Compliance Management: Comply with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to MSD Activities, contributing to monthly procurement and financial needs and accurate administration of MSD funds.
Influence & Representation:
- Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government authorities and NGOs as and when advised by the line manager.
- Work closely with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ market-based interventions.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The ideal candidate for the Mercy Corps Market Systems Development Officer job opportunity should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agri-business or Agricultural Economics
- At least three years of work experience with the private sector or market facilitation approaches in rural or pastoral communities.
- Familiarity with the Karamoja business environment in the context of rural development is a plus.
- Proven skills in assessing information needs, reporting writing and communication.
- Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners including; private sector, government and civil society.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle, with a valid riding permit is a MUST.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their E-mail applications including a cover letter clearly stating the salary requirements, updated CV (with three professional referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates addressed to the Senior HR and Legal Manager, Mercy Corps Uganda to: ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org
Deadline: 7th February 2019
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