Crop and Livestock (Agri) Coordinator

Job Description

Position Title: -Crop and Livestock (Agri) Coordinator 

Primary Location:  One in Dollo Ado, Somali region

Current Employee:  New

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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Mercy Corps is seeking candidates for a Agri-Livestock Coordinator who will support and lead the crop and livestock related activities of the WFP funded programs in Dollo ado and Dollo Bay in Somali region. This will require close cooperation with the sector coordinators, team leader and MEL Manager, as well as partners and stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

 Support to: 

• Develop understanding livestock production and productivity challenges and opportunities including livestock trade, animal health inputs and services to all relevant actors (public and private).
• Develop and strengthen understanding of current livestock management, animal health, animal feeding, and livestock marketing.
• Analyze production and trade of live animal feed and fodder and current rangeland management practices, as these relate to the livestock industry, agricultural production, social and legal environment, and practices as well as all relevant actors (public and private) participating directly or indirectly in program.
• Work with Agri-processing companies expand operations and build trade linkages with smallholders and Producer Cooperatives
• Work with ‘Union of Agriculture Production Cooperatives’’ expands and improves its services for member cooperatives.
• Work with farmers to Improved access to inputs and strengthened supply of improved seeds and farm tools.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder sector forum, to identify challenges and solutions, and cultivate interest.

Program Implementation

• Implementation of Climate-Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought-Prone Lowland Areas project (IFTIIN),of Dollo Ado and Dollo bay Woredas with respect Livestock and crop production sectors.
• Work closelly with lead-firm partners (e.g. ‘Association of Livestock Traders’ and Livestock Bureau, ‘Union of Agriculture Production Cooperatives).
• Collect lessons learned from existing livestock and crop improvement initiatives, livestock and crop production market sectors competitiveness, and crop production marketing; and use these to innovate in ways that strengthen and leverage current practice.
• Actively engage in the identification, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of program activities with a view to livestock and crop production development;
• Liaise with all programs, stakeholders and actors in the livestock and crop production market systems
• Contribute to the monitoring of key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones and plans in close collaboration with supervisor and M&E team, and lead the effort in reporting all output, outcome and impact indicators for the livestock and crop production developments
• Support in ensuring the program captures and responds to up-to-date information on livestock and crop production within respective woredas, regional and country best practices.

ACCOUNTABILITY

• REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: IFTIIN Team Leader
• WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other FTIIN project sectors, operation and finance

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following subjects: , Crop Science, Animal Science, Rural Development and agricultural extension and, Agricultural Economics;
• Five years of experience in livestock and crop production in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems of Ethiopia;
• Deep understanding and mastery of Markets4Poor approach and Economic & Markets Development facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovating.
• Experience in working with livestock and crop production industry (public and private) actors and institutional stakeholders;
• Demonstrated program implementation and training capabilities;
• Knowledge of participatory analyses, action and results processes;
• Experience in the region is required; previous experience in arid and semi-arid parts of Ethiopia is preferred;

Success Factors

• Fluent in English and Somali languages
• Business minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, great problem solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.
• He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures
• Excellent communication, facilitation and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner and NGO-sector actors
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

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

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

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.

Living conditions / environmental conditions

The position is based in Dollo ado, with frequent travelling to the intervention sites of Dollo ado and Dollo bay. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and    diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 15 October 2023/ 4:00 PM