(216860-927)
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986. Presently, we work in ten provinces with a large portfolio of programs aimed at promoting sustainable, licit agriculture and natural resource-based livelihoods, combating food insecurity, expanding access to microcredit and financial services and strengthening private sector, civil society and government institutions. Donors include the United States Department for Agriculture (USDA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM), the European Union (EU), The Department for International Development of the British Government (DFID) and the Canadian International development Agency (CIDA).
The Global Development Alliance (GDA) for Strengthening Market Chains for Afghan Grapes and Pomegranates aims to increase capacity, jobs, sales and production along the grape and pomegranate value chains. The program provides information, training and technical assistance to farmers and producer associations to achieve international product quality standards, as well as facilitating local, regional and international market linkages for grapes and pomegranates.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The GDA Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the program. S/he will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Kabul and the south (Kandahar and Helmand) to ensure the day-to-day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Implementation
- Providing direction to staff on program activities and management.
- Mobilize, supervise and oversee monitoring and evaluation of program outcomes and impact.
- Coordinate with counterparts, partners, GoA officials, other INGOs and donors to implement programs to complement but not overlap; and work with alliance members to identify potential new alliance opportunities.
- Assist in the design of farmer-to-farmer visits to ensure that there is an effective exchange of knowledge that allows the exchange of ideas of activities and lessons-learned.
Linkages in Value Chain
- Assisting staff in establishing and facilitating commercial linkages between farmers, traders, wholesalers, processor and exporters to help farmers identify potential market outlets for pomegranates and table grapes.
Technical Training
- Support program staff in field activities, taking into consideration community interest, successes and failures through the provision of inputs, as well as training and technical assistance in production and postharvest activities.
Reporting & Coordination
- Produce quarterly reports for USAID.
- Provide information to DM&E and Program Director as required for country, regional and global reporting purposes.
- Work closely with Alliance partners Roshan and Bagram on specific alliance-oriented activities to ensure transparency and address issues/opportunities.
Government Involvement
- Keep government authorities well-informed of the progress of the program, and coordinate program activities with national and international NGOs to avoid duplication. Assess the needs for relevant provincial/district and national government officials. Organize and provide technical (quality control), value chain and business training to these officials.
Agriculture Strategy Development
- Assist the country team in the development of a nationwide agriculture strategy.
Organizational Learning
- As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
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.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Deputy Program Manager and 8 program staff.
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Programs
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: All Program and Support staff, national and expatriate.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- MA/S, MBA or equivalent in Agri-business, Business, Agriculture, International Development or other relevant field preferred.
- Minimum five years demonstrable experience in program management concentrated in enterprise business development or value chains.
- Demonstrated ability to build staff capacity as well as excellent team and interpersonal relationship skills, especially in a cross-cultural setting, required.
- Ability to communicate program objectives and represent Mercy Corps to international donors, government officials, local groups and community members is critical.
- Experience with USAID grant management and compliance is necessary, in addition to exceptional report development, writing and editing skills.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members required.
- Experience coordinating with other international agencies and government bodies required.
- Previous experience working in Afghanistan or South Asia and/or knowledge of the region is preferred.
- Previous work with traditional/conservative cultures, in remote environments, and in the context of high levels of poverty and humanitarian need essential
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The incumbent will have strong organizational skills; ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel of all sectors. S/he will have excellent communication and translation skills, both verbally and in written and will be a strong team player. A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action is compulsory. S/he will be knowledgeable of security protocols and be proactive in communication to staff and response to security incidents. Excellent negotiation and communications skills will provide for continued development of donor and alliance relationships.
LIVING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position will be based in Kabul, with extensive travel to other program sites. Accommodation is team housing equipped with generators and heating. The security situation is volatile and may spike into acute periods of insecurity. Internet access is available in Mercy Corps offices. Medical care is available in Kabul, however for serious cases evacuation is required, so staff must be able to be 24 hours away from medical care. All staff members are expected to follow all security protocols, including limited movement when necessary.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE
