Job Title:Intervention Manager – Agriculture, Uganda

Mercy Corps is an international nor for profit organization which has been operating in Uganda since 2006 and works to catalyze change makers within the Ugandan private sector, civil society and government to create economically dynamic, healthy and secure communities. Our works focus on building resilience and enable economic growth, improve opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improved governance and conflict management.  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. Mercy Corps’ programs in Kitgum currently focus on economic development, agriculture, financial services, and women’s empowerment.

About DFID NUTEC Project:

The DFID-funded Transforming the Economy through Climate Smart Agriculture (NU-TEC) aims to develop pro poor agricultural markets in Northern Uganda and promote inclusive growth. DFID has identified a set of market failures that are standing in the way of way of the effective functioning of the agricultural sector in Northern Uganda. These include input markets, land tenure issues, storage infrastructure; access to finance; rural transport and processing capacity. The programme intends to address these market failures by facilitating improvements in agricultural productivity and to encourage private sector investment in medium to large agribusiness through the application of a market systems development approach. The programme also places a strong focus on reforming the regulatory environment in Northern Uganda by promoting more effective regulation and application of quality grades and standards.

Job Summary: The Intervention Manager will provide strategic leadership in market systems thinking and facilitation for the DFID funded Transforming the Economy through Climate Smart Agriculture (NU-TEC). In doing so, he/she will provide effective management and oversight across a portfolio of interventions within various agricultural market systems that are considered to have the most pro poor growth potential for Northern Uganda. The programme will focus in particular in the areas of access to agricultural inputs, access to finance; post-harvest handling, and rural transport. The Intervention Manager will as part of a management team oversee and guide the design and implementation of proposed interventions, including developing and adapting results chains, driving staff and team learning and ensure performance of market system teams through the delivery of results. A strong private sector ethos is essential.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Strategy and Vision:

• Identify market opportunities with clear potential for pro poor growth in Northern Uganda within the targeted sectors and that fit within Mercy Corps wider strategy; and
• Recognise opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

2. Programme Management:

• Leverage technical expertise in business analysis and agricultural market systems to develop sector strategies in close collaboration with partners and other Mercy Corps teams;
• Manage the implementation of sector strategies by brokering deals with private sector players and representative organisations;
• Engage with government and civil society partners;
• Cultivate “system” champions, and push knowledge flows and learning within the selected market systems;
• In collaboration with the Portfolio Director, support the development of intervention plans, activity plans, budgets, Term of Reference (TOR) for external resources identified, and other necessary intervention management documents as needed;
• Ensure that programme implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant programme guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan;
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria;
• Develop partners MoUs and contracts & oversee a training programme for programme partners;
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate;
• Ensure programme implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts; and
• 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.

3. Team Management:

• Offer leadership and direction to managers and officers in developing the theory of change and results chains guided by an market systems development framework and which provide the management and results framework for sector strategies;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews;
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives; and
• Significantly 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.

4. Finance & Compliance Management:

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

5. Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders;
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met; and
• Support the preparation of material and presentations to promote the programme.

6. 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.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The candidate should hold an MBA or equivalent Masters in Economics, Business Studies, Agribusiness
• A minimum of five years’ experience working in value chains or market development programmes (experience in Northern Uganda is a plus)
• Good team management experience and experience in supervising staff
• Past exposure and experience in developing and managing programmes in the field of private sector development
• Demonstrated experience in market system analysis and research, design of sector strategies, and the ability to broker deals and partnerships with the private sector, government and representative associations
• Good knowledge and understanding of the political economy of the Ugandan context, particularly in Northern Uganda
• Possess the ability to formulate results chains and undertake participatory research with experience in the DCED standard a plus
• Excellent computer skills (minimum of MS word, excel and power point)
• Good report writing and presentation skills
• Flexibility to adapt programme interventions to changing market circumstances and changing team needs
• Be a team player, creative, and full of energy

How to Apply for the job: 

All candidates who desire to join one of the world’s leading Non-governmental organisations, Mercy Corps, Please Apply Online by visiting web link below.

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