Mercy Corps
Vacancy Announcement: Climate and AgTech Manager
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 Summary
The MCA program will operate in
across Africa with a focus on 5 countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia
and Nigeria) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully
selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management
tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified
platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially.
The program involves three
interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and
capability and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate financial
and information products and build ecosystems to drive scale.
We work with farmers, banks,
mobile network operators, MFIs, research institutes and other ecosystem players
in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the
offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services,
access points and value for farmers.
The program works with partners
to identify, prototype, test, and scale successful mobile-enabled services for
smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using
a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design
techniques.
General Position Summary
The Climate and AgTech Strategy
Manager / Technical Lead will provide technical leadership and lead in the
implementation for AgriFin’s climate change portfolio.
In addition, s/he will provide
business strategy support to AgTechs identified by the AgriFin program.
The person will work with other
AgriFin technical leads, research and learning leads and field teams to ensure
climate-smart approaches are integrated into the design and implementation of
program activities.
S/He will work closely with
relevant strategic partners to identify, develop, test and scale relevant
climate smart innovations into the AgriFin engagement pipeline and oversee the
overall climate strategy, with a focus on climate technology and climate-smart
agricultural approaches.
In addition, the person will
also work with other AgriFin technical leads to provide short-term customized
technical assistance to AgTechs identified by the program.
This position requires a
technical lead that understands the tightly interconnected relationship between
digital technology, digital information services, climate change, financing,
agriculture science and providing TA to young AgTech companies that are offering
these solutions to smallholder farmers.
The Climate and AgTech Strategy
Manager/ Technical will ensure AgriFin’s technical team is kept up to date with
the Climate Smart Agriculture and AgTech technical assistance strategy, plans
and technical elements.
Essential Job Functions
Lead Digital Climate Smart Agriculture (D-CSA)
Thematic Area
Support in the identification and integration of
relevant digital climate-smart solutions into the Mercy Corps AgriFin portfolio
in all countries of operation. This includes identifying opportunities,
conceptualizing, and strategizing business models for D-CSA engagements.
In consultation with the AgriFin senior management
team, keep the D-CSA strategy updated. This includes maintaining (and
developing where required), a clear vision and climate strategies for the
programs that can be clearly communicated to internal and external stakeholders
and maintain strong strategic links and cross learning with other AgriFin
programs and within the wider Mercy Corps, with the support of the AgriFin
team.
Support strong partner identification, conducting of
due diligence and related review to structure relevant technical engagements
that contribute to AgriFin’s learning agenda, relationship management, project
plans and development of product roadmaps based on program priorities,
including gender transformative approaches.
Assist in development of partner business and work
plans, reviewing research, marketing plans, business processes, operational
manuals, product and technology specifications, and financial statements to do
so.
Serve as technical lead on all climate related
program engagements, leveraging the AgriFin matrix team and program
consultants, ensuring highest standards of project implementation and building
out potential for follow on projects to increase program impact.
Work within a diverse technical team, upskilling
staff on D-CSA, and provide leadership on the implementation of the programs
and provide accountability to the deliverables, objectives and work plan.
Lead Business Strategy Technical Assistance for
AgTechs
Lead in the development of business strategy
frameworks that can be used to offer quick but customized TA to AgTechs. The
envisioned TA areas will range from research, developing business blueprints
for the AgTechs, testing and refining business models including development of
GTM models, strategies for roll-out and scaling of solutions that reach
smallholder farmers etc.
With other technical leads (and consultants where
needed), provide customized TA support to AgTechs.
Support identification and review, conducting due
diligence of prospective AgTechs to the program, and relationship management.
Lead origination, implementation, and ongoing
oversight of all contractual relationships with consultants, partners and
vendors.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Communications
Work closely with Director for D-CSA, Program (or
Deputy) Program Director, and Director for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and
Learning (MERL) to ensure that program learning is well documented,
communicated and aligned with program MERL strategy. Take the lead in thought leadership
linked to program learning goals within the D-CSA agenda and AgTech Innovator
context.
Support in developing and deploying new frameworks
for the measurement of climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation within
AgriFin’s smallholder farmer and digital contexts.
Play an external role in partnership development,
representation, and coordination with relevant groups inside and outside of
Mercy Corps. Facilitate workshops and regular internal and external learning
events for effective work planning and capturing of lessons learned.
Technical Team Contributions:
Work with the AgriFin Technical Teams to develop
partnerships, projects and team skills in d-CSA.
Develop a meaningful community of practice in
digital climate smart agriculture within the AgriFin technical team and
strategic partners.
Build and update a pipeline of DCSA and AgTech
projects, present to and get feedback from technical team.
Strategy support for AgriFin related fundraising
efforts and new country development processes.
Administrative and Operational Responsibilities
Support in contracting and budget management of
contractors and consultants for the country program based on Mercy Corps procedures,
with support from AgriFin operational team.
Maintain strong operational relationships with Mercy
Corps finance, administration, and logistics teams to ensure clarity and full
support of program activities where appropriate.
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 and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies,
procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Supervisory Responsibility
Technical oversight of field-based activities
undertaken by AgriFin and Partners.
Development and leadership of the AgriFin
climate-smart team, as allowed for by program funding, including staff and
consultants.
Accountability
Reports
Directly To: Program Deputy Director
Works
Directly with the AgriFin technical
team, the MERL team, Finance and Operations. Coordinates with HQ Program Teams
when appropriate.
Knowledge and Experience
Masters in business administration.
Degree in engineering, finance, marketing or social
sciences.
Degree or experience in climate smart technology,
agro-ecology, development and social sciences, environmental sciences, natural
resources management, resilience programming and/or other related areas.
At least 10 years in program management level with
practical experience and demonstrable application of knowledge in digital
delivery channels in agriculture, including climate change and resilience, and
frameworks.
At least 5 years’ experience in a consulting role,
providing a range of consultancy support to small and growing businesses in the
agricultural sector.
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a technical role
on an international development program related to digital agriculture and/or
climate change.
Demonstrated expertise and ability to investigate
and provide consultative services on a broad range of technical questions and
policy issues including natural resource management, sustainable agriculture,
digital agriculture and/or climate change.
Demonstrable familiarity with multiple country
contexts within the AgriFin portfolio (Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania).
Knowledge of India, Indonesia and/or Latin American contexts a plus.
Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an
understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in program
monitoring, data collection, and evaluation.
Knowledge of cutting edge climate research, lean
data impact research and the design or implementation and digital data
collection and analysis methodologies preferred.
Highly developed written and oral communications
skills as well as strong interpersonal communication and team building skills
to ensure effective coordination within global strategic partners, donors and
effective advocacy of Agency positions externally with both specialist as well
as non-specialist audiences.
Advanced computer skills and experience developing
data management systems.
Team player who takes initiative and is a
problem-solver.
Effective verbal and written communication,
multitasking and organizational skills.
Ability to manage priorities autonomously.
Experience with entrepreneurship either directly or
indirectly through support and coaching.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will have a
strong curiosity for understanding complex relationships across institutions
and individuals. Emotional intelligence in dealing with people working in
fast-paced, outcome driven setting is essential.
S/he will be an excellent
writer, communicator, multi-tasker, and have excellent attention to detail,
able to take ownership of tasks and follow-through until completion without
much supervision. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work
in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
S/he will be a team-player with
a positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution.
The successful candidate will
be focused on team building; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in
project management and maintain a sense of humour.
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
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.
Application Process
Interested candidates who meet
the above required qualifications and experience should access THIS LINK to submit a cover letter, detailed curriculum
vitae (CV) listing three professional referees (including a recent supervisor)
to the link below before Tuesday, 17th May 2023 by 5.00pm.
(Applications will be reviewed
on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates)
NB: Mercy Corps AgriFin Program
does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process
