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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