JUNIOR PROGRAM MANAGER/ AGRIBUSINESS

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, providing support to more than 5 million people affected by war, violence, and displacement. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a relief-to-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflict-affected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society, as well as access to education, psychosocial support, and economic opportunities; and (4) promoting reconciliation and foster trust across community divisions by strengthening conflict management and prevention mechanisms and enhancing social cohesion.

Mercy Corps Iraq is implementing Promoting Economic Revival of Microbusiness and Agriculture (PERMA 2), an agriculture program that aims to improve the business environment and improve access to financial services as well as reactivate agriculture value chains in Salah al-Din and Ninewa governorates. Efforts toward agricultural and rural economic recovery must target the rehabilitation of both the public and the private (at micro and small enterprise levels) infrastructure through an integrated approach, while also taking into account the social and cultural complexity of Salah al-Din and Ninewa. In response, PERMA 2 has outlined three main objectives aimed at supporting rehabilitation, reconstruction, and overall economic recovery of the agriculture sector in Salah al-Din and Ninewa:

• Financial institutions are providing appropriate and affordable financial services to enable MSMEs to start, re-start and grow agricultural activities;
• Small-scale farmers have improved access to services, inputs, information, infrastructure and markets that increase their productivity and profitability; and
• Local institutions and leaders are promoting intra- and inter-community interactions that contribute to the reintegration of returnees in the agricultural sector and conflict-resolution.

 

 

General Position Summary

We are seeking a Junior Program Manager, Agribusiness who would support the Agribusiness Manager with overseeing all activities related to the facilitation of agribusiness activities in rural and smaller urban areas in Ninewa and SAD governorates. The Junior Program Manager, Agribusiness will be responsible for overseeing one area of implementation, as well as contributing towards providing capacity building support to agribusinesses and facilitating linkages to support services for improved coverage and outreach.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Vision  

• Support the Agribusiness Manager to identify opportunities for the design and development of concept notes and proposals for further programming and portfolio expansion.
• Work with the Agribusiness Manager to provide technical support to donors, agribusinesses and government stakeholders in developing its future strategy and policies for the agriculture sector in the governorate.
• Contribute to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, region, and HQ.

Coordination & Representation  

• Coordinate and supervise effectively the activities implementation of the access to finance sector.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including consortium partners, NGOs, government officials, clusters, UN agencies, and community based organizations – to enhance cooperation and coordination.

Program Management 

• Provide coverage for the Agribusiness Manager when they are on leave, responsible for overseeing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners; consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic objectives; and complies with donor regulations and policies.
• Facilitate planning meetings and support project teams to develop work plans, budget forecasts, and monitoring tools to document inputs, activities, outputs, achievements and lessons learned.
• Work closely with the Agribusiness Manager to support the design, planning, implementation and documentation of programming to help beneficiaries strengthen capacities to mitigate vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks and stressors in their communities.
• Play a key role in donor reporting for the agribusiness component.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps policies.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Support the Agribusiness Manager in managing the program budget and reviews of the BVA to ensure that spending is donor-compliant and program-effective.

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 toward 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Agribusiness Manager

Works Directly With: MEL Team, Program Managers, Reporting & Program Development Manager. Coordinates with Regional Advisors and HQ Regional Program Team.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in development, economics, agriculture, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5 years professional experience in the private agribusiness sector or in development programs working with varying market actors (particularly MSMEs).
• Experience in capacity building with agribusinesses and/or other private sector actors
• Deep understanding of the interplay between key agricultural market actors like financial service providers (MFI, Banks, and insurers), input suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets, governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.
• Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Arabic is preferred.
• Computer literacy including ability to use the advanced functions of MS office to create reports and customized spreadsheets for financial analysis and management reporting purposes.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an in depth knowledge of private sector engagement in the agriculture sector in Iraq. S/he will be responsible for supporting the Agribusiness Manager to develop innovative program delivery. S/he will have the potential to develop strong management skills and demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERINCE:

 

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position descriptions for the vacant positions.

S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in difficult, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace.

Interested candidates should submit their CVs to the email address  mcerbilhr@gmail.com ,  before the deadline indicated below.

Please indicate on the subject of the email the title of the position and Location you are applying for, for full position description for the noted posts, please visit websites NGOs.

 

This role is only open to Iraqi citizens and individuals who have the legal right to work in Iraq.

 

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY April 15th, 2024 at 4:00PM

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for potential interview. Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for This Position.  Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global Impact

Mercy Corps Iraq offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their careers. Mercy Corps

Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.