Mercy Corps is hiring a
Background:
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. Mercy Corps Senegal began operations in 2023, following its global merger with Energy for Impact, operational in Senegal since 2012 providing increased access to sustainable, renewable energy across communities in 8 parts of the country. With funding from Energia/SIDA, GIZ, and private foundations, its current small portfolio is focused on supporting the development and growth of small and medium enterprises to deliver energy products and services to vulnerable populations, through advisory business services and access to financial resources to grow and expand their businesses. Mercy Corps Senegal also hosts a small regional team that is managed separately through the Regional structure, but that works closely with the Senegal country team. As Mercy Corps Senegal develops its country strategy in line with Mercy Corps Global strategy, the Pathway to Possibility (P2P), this is a critical turning point for the Senegal portfolio to grow and diversify our focus areas and funding base, as well as our partnerships moving forward. Notably, we are working to expand our work beyond energy into areas including climate resilience, economic development, and agriculture and value chains development.
The Advancing Public-Private Engagement in Climate Services for Small Scale Producers program is a two-year engagement working in Kenya and Senegal, that aims to develop and pilot innovative public-private partnership or engagement (PPP/PPE) models that support effective and sustainable weather and climate service (WCS) delivery for improved agricultural decision making. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the resilience of small-scale producers to the impacts of climate variability and change.
The intended outcome of this program is improved access to and uptake of WCS which improve agricultural decision making at the meso-scale as a result of sustained engagement in innovative PPP/PPE to support wider adoption and scale up. Four Outputs will contribute to the achievement of this goal:
Mercy Corps is seeking a Program Engagement Consultant for our Advancing Public-Private Engagement in Climate Services for Small Scale Producers program. This two-year program aims to develop and pilot innovative public-private partnership or engagement (PPP/PPE) models that support effective and sustainable weather and climate service (WCS) delivery for improved agricultural decision making. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the resilience of small-scale producers to the impacts of climate variability and change.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
STRATEGY AND VISION
● Work under the guidance of the DCSA Director to identify, engage, and achieve buy-in of key counterparts in priority countries, including NHMS Directors, private sector representatives, and information end-users, and secure commitments to the aims and objectives of the project.
● Play a key role in developing the program strategy and direction for Senegal-based activities by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives.
● Manage engagement with key public and private sector stakeholders in Senegal. Relevant organizations are likely to include the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM), micro insurance providers, agribusiness, private sector producer cooperatives, agricultural research and extension services (ISRA (Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles)/ Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research: ISRA is the primary agricultural research institution in Senegal (research on various crops, livestock, and agroecological systems to develop and disseminate improved technologies); ANCAR (Agence Nationale de Conseil Agricole et Rural)/ National Agricultural and Rural Advisory Agency: ANCAR is the national agricultural extension agency in Senegal (responsible for providing advisory services and disseminating agricultural technologies to farmers); telecoms companies, agriculture finance and technology institutions, and renewable energy companies.
● Contribute to the program’s learning and influencing agenda, working with relevant stakeholders including HQ based research staff to integrate and advance learning, adaptation and scale up within the program and more broadly, including the
management of an informal online learning network.
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
● Stay abreast of the latest advancements in climate science; ongoing initiatives (donor-led programs/government program) and incorporate relevant findings into program strategies under the leadership of the Program Director.
● In collaboration with relevant Mercy Corps team members, represent the program in key forums and donor meetings.
● Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with relevant regional and national agencies active in relevant technical fields, including donors, other organizations, local authorities and local partners. Attend relevant coordination forums to identify synergies.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
TEAM MANAGEMENT
SECURITY MANAGEMENT
MONITORING & EVALUATION AND REPORTING
Consultant Deliverables:
The consultant will work to produce the following deliverables:
Consultant Deliverables:
The consultant will work to produce the following deliverables:
Timeframe / Schedule:
The Timeframe will be between April 1, 2024 – November 30, 2024
The Consultant will report to:
Task Manager is Global DCSA Director, Elias Nure for final sign-off on deliverables and invoices.
The Consultant will work closely with:
Mercy Corps AgriFin’s Technical Team and Mercy Corps Senegal team.
Required Experience & Skills:
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 team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging 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.