Program Manager -Market Systems Development and Agriculture, Kadugli -Sudan

  • Contractor
  • , Sudan
  • TBD USD / Year
  • Mercy Corps profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


Mercy Corps

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded USD 13 million programme that aims to improve food security for 31,000 male and female smallholder farmer households (approximately 186,000 individuals) through enhanced gender-equitable market access and agricultural production. The Strengthening Agricultural Markets and Food Security (SAFE) programme, will strengthen the capacities of key market actors, contributing to improved resilience capacities to shocks and stresses. The programme is guided by a Market Systems Development (MSD) and resilience approaches to sustain food security gains despite the complex risk environment in which smallholder farmers are exposed to. Specifically, the program will enable smallholder farmers to increase climate resilient yields, sustainable natural resource management practices, market linkages, gender equity and empowerment of women and girls.

THE POSITION (GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY)

The Program Manager will be responsible for the overall management and coordination of a Market Systems based early recovery program that is primarily focusing on agricultural services and markets. The Program Manager will lead, coordinate and manage all activities related to the implementation of the program and operations in South Kordofan state, Sudan.

The Program Manager provides technical leadership, supervises and manages Mercy Corps program staff, ensures work plans are in place and coordinates the implementation of all Mercy Corps program activities ensuring the programs are on time, on scope and on budget. The Program Manager promotes a culture of constant program improvement, mentors the program team, ensures Program is compliant with PAQ standards, esure Mercy Corps staff capacity building, integrates monitoring and evaluation into program activities and ensures the delivery of high-quality programs that deliver impact. She/he also identifies opportunities to operationalize recommendations from ongoing context analyses.

The Program Manager is responsible for: 1) implementation, sustainability, and potential scale up program activities 2) compliance with PAQ Standards and other MC policies, 3) Management of operations and logistics, 4) security management, 5) team management, 6) reporting, and 7) coordination.

The Program Manager will need to be highly sensitive to the political dynamics of the country and have relevant security analytics experience. This position requires strong coordination on security planning, field visits and ensuring safety of staff. The Program Manager leads field monitoring and program performance by tracking progress toward specific objectives. The Program Manager is also fully responsible to ensure the program adheres to Program Assurance and Quality (PAQ) Standards. Program Manager is also expected to be an active participant in all coordination forums, internal and external, those that are relevant to program strategy. In addition the coordination with the private sector and program partners is critical for this position. This position is based in the Kadugli Office with frequent field visits to program locations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Strategy and Planning

  2. Contribute to review and advise on adaptations and adjustments of program strategies, approaches and activities for growth and sustainability

  3. Participate in country level business development activities to secure resources for programs, influence stakeholders for support and create an enabling environment for programmes to succeed.

  4. Work with the program management and senior country leadership team to support coordination, planning, writing and timely submission of key strategic documents, such as the annual plans, budgets, reports, and other ad-hoc strategy documents.

  5. Support team members to articulate and secure support resources, including completion of TSU support requests, consultancy requests, procurement of services, and liaising with internal stakeholders to identify additional support resources to advance strategic priorities.

  6. Support Knowledge Management System that works across all members of the consortium and allows more seamless collaboration, communication, scheduling and management of Information.

  7. Ensure the program is fully compliant with the Program Assurance and Quality (PAQ) Standards and other Mercy Corps and donor policies.

  8. Ensure the activities are implemented in accordance to the workplans and Budget and they are within the scope and the budget.

  9. Technical Oversight

  10. Provide management oversight over the implementation team, including development and implementation of work plans, sector result chains, intervention designs, growth structure, sustainability, vision, monitoring implementation and impact, ensuring that program deliverables are completed according to PM@MC and other internal and international sector standards.

  11. Work with the Consortium Director and MEL Manager to develop monitoring systems, design and implementation of relevant surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for on-going monitoring and learning and provide regular, high-quality reports on program activities.

  12. In collaboration with the Consortium Director and other program management team members to ensure monitoring, evaluation and analysis are integrated into program implementation to promote adaptive management and a culture of constant program improvement.

  13. Jointly with the project teams and the Program Specialist, lead private sector partner identification or specific markets in the project area and develop shared value and sustainable partnerships.

  14. Together with the Consortium Director, Program Specialist and other program management team members, lead field level inquiry of the project learning agenda

  15. Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities. Liaise with these support functions to ensure that recruitment, procurement, and other plans are in place and are implemented accordingly.

  16. Private sector partner and stakeholder management

  17. Scan, analyze and monitor the operating environment to identify potential private sector

  18. Support the consortium director, Program Specialist and program management team in developing private sector partnership and other procurement documents (Expressions of interest, scopes of work, task orders, application templates and tender documents) etc. as required.

  19. Jointly with the Program Specialist and the Consortium Director support programmatic aspects of private sector partnership identification, negotiations, formalization and administration.

  20. Work with the Program Specialist, Consortium Director and the program team to manage private sector partnerships including meeting of milestones, communication, documentation and provide technical support to private sector partners and other partners to ensure deliverables are met timely.

  21. Team Management

  22. Liaise with HR to ensure and support in recruitment and onboarding of team members and consultants to meet program needs and that they are familiarized with agency systems, procedures, and protocols.

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

  24. Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

  25. Lead capacity development initiatives for project team members through training, mentoring and coaching to ensure there is a cohesive understanding of market systems and project implementation approaches.

  26. Esure the 5% learning requirements are met by the program staff.

  27. Guide program team and work with MEL staff to develop, document and implement adaptive management practices that lead to improved quality and responsive implementation.

  28. Work with program and MEL staff to ensure high quality measurement on key performance indicators for MSD.

  29. Work with PAQ and Technical Support Unit (TSU) department(s) to ensure the program fully adheres to the PAQ minimum standards

  30. Communication and Reporting

  31. Compile weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual draft reports for further refinement

  32. Work with Grants and the Reporting Specialist to finalize donor reports.

  33. Develop success stories, publications, and program documents, and submit program materials to Mercy Corps and other agencies for broader dissemination

  34. Representation and Coordination

  35. Represent Mercy Corps at partner coordination meetings and with external stakeholders as relevant to the programs.

  36. Represent Mercy Corps and the program in Internal and External Cluster meetings in the state level

  37. Identify and engage with technical, private and public sector partnerships needed to execute program strategies and support the growth and formalization of partnership arrangements as necessary.

  38. 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.

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.

  • Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

  • Team members are expected to respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility:

  • Program implementation team consisting of Senior and Officer level as per the program hierarchy.

Accountability:

  • Reports directly to the Consortium Director, Market systems development and Agricultural

  • Works Directly With: implementation team, Program Specialist, coordinate with other consortium managers, works with Director of Programs as well as operations and finance teams.

Base: Kadugli, South Kordofan State, Sudan

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, EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

  • MA/S or equivalent experience in international development, rural development, agriculture economics, agribusiness, development economics or related relevant field.

  • At least 5 years working experience in development programs at the senior management level including program management and budget portfolio’s.

  • At least 4 years experience in implementing economic Development Programs, Private Sector Engagement, market systems development programs and/or partnership programs.

  • Strong skills in conceptual and other frameworks such theories of change, logic models, results chains, MSD indicators, MSD MEL plans, resilience and gender integration.

  • Demonstrated ability to work in complex programming and volatile environments and applying market-based approaches in fragile contexts

  • Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to track multiple aspects of the program, partnerships, activities and events at the same time.

  • Strong interpersonal, communication, networking, negotiation and team working skills.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Fluency or proficiency in Arabic would be an added advantage.

  • Excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft and other digital workflow management tools.

Success Factors

The successful Program Manager will recognize that Mercy Corps’ ability to function safely and successfully in Sudan depends on the ability of staff to understand the context in which programs operate. Must be able to apply a strong combination of team leadership, program development and implementation skills and will be able to maintain a sense of humor, calm and clarity in decision-making in stressful conditions Should have extensive experience in Economic Development, Market Development and/or Value Chain and have an excellent understanding of emergency and transitional issues and programmatic approaches and will be able to work across a wide range of stakeholders, working with local community members, governmental authorities, NGO partners, and donors. Should focus on increasing the capacity and leadership of national staff to transition into positions with greater responsibility. Bring a positive approach to the job, embracing challenges as opportunities to innovate and work well under pressure. Must ensure the program fully adheres to the Program, Assurance and Quality (PAQ) minimum Standards. Must be able to write well and communicate in a manner that is confident and clear, yet diplomatic, enabling him/her to forge positive working relationships with donors and other stakeholders.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position will be based in Kadugli, Sudan. Guesthouse shared accommodation will be provided. The security situation will be closely monitored as the response develops. Team members should expect variable levels of insecurity. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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 Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.**

How to apply

http://app.jobvite.com/m?3FYXjmwK


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