Value Chain and Market Development Specialist X2

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 exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, oppression by building secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002 focusing its interventions on a multi sectoral market systems development portfolio mobilizing communities to promote small-scale agriculture and revive local economies. Its current operations focus on helping smallholder farmers increase their incomes and harvests through the power of technology and increasing urban household access to quality, reliable water, sanitation and hygiene services. Market driven approaches are at the heart of Mercy Corps’ programming globally. Mercy Corps facilitates the development of systems that increase incomes and
improve access to goods and services, while reducing the risks and effects of shocks and stresses.

General Position Summary

The goal of Value chain Alliance for Livestock Upgrading and Empowerment (VALUE) is to contribute to the development of an inclusive and diversified agricultural sector that promotes inclusive green economic growth. Targeting pork and goat value chains, it will positively impact on the economic opportunities for goat farmers and pig farmers, primarily small-scale producers who are currently stuck at different
sub optimal stages of commercialization and economic growth. Addressing the mix of binding constraints – financial, environmental, technological, organizational and poor market linkages, regulatory and policy constraints – the action will integrate a significant proportion of these small-scale pork and goat producers into the mainstream economy. The Value Chain Specialist is integral to achieving the objectives outlined above. The value chain
Specialist will lead on private sector engagement to develop strong market systems along the economic value chain corridors including supporting improved access to financial services, improved branding and marketing for value chain actors.

Essential Job Responsibilities

MARKETS DEVELOPMENT
 Identify and analyze the constraints and opportunities related to value chain opportunities, agribusiness options with emphasis on the functionality of markets and private sector ;

 Facilitate market linkages for smallholder farmers along the value chain corridors;

 Provide technical assistance with respect to: development of cooperatives, business development services and marketing; engagement with the private sector and other stakeholders;

 Initiate, build and strengthen partnerships with public and private institutional stakeholders for delivering positive impact among smallholder farmers;

 Identify opportunities for campaigns and distribution channels that will lead to enhanced market linkages for the goat and port value actors;

 Work closely with national, provincial and district level offices to ensure inclusive; implementation of value chain activities;

 Document best practices and lessons learnt of the project and support to replicate it

FINANCIAL SERVICES

 Work closely with financial institutions to identify relevant financial services products for program beneficiaries and identify constraints to access;

 In partnership with relevant financial institutions design bankable de-risking mechanisms for improved financial inclusion;

 Facilitate the development of innovative livestock value chain financing models;

 Lead on periodic evaluations on access and impact of financial services solutions;

 Facilitate the provision of smart subsidies for enhanced social inclusion.

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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: VALUE Team Leader, Director of Programs Works Directly With: MC Livestock Specialist and partner organizations

Knowledge and Experience

 Advanced degree in relevant field of agricultural economics, agribusiness, agricultural marketing, development economics; or related field is required;

 At least 7 years of working experience in the field of agriculture value chain development , market systems development including improving financial services for the poor ;

 Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers or processors)

 Solid experience in facilitating public-private partnerships and development business models;

 Strong writing skills and excellent verbal communication skills

Success Factors

The successful Value Chain Specialist will be an analytical individual keen to build private and public partnerships. S/he will be passionate about learning and adaptive management techniques as fundamental strategies to improve program impact. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and
simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all
situations.