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Agri-Fin Mobile Program Advisor

7:58:00 PM
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Agri-Fin Mobile program approach works with 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 targets partners with existing financial, MNO and agricultural technical service mobile platforms or applications, or demonstrated interest in developing and investing in them, and facilitates development of a business model whereby the bundling process provides an increased value proposition for each partner, such as, increased fee income, greater outreach or reduced risks.
The Agri-Fin Mobile program will achieve two primary results within the 3-year program time frame:
1) 180,000 smallholder farmers will access farm productivity services through improved productivity and financial management practices accessed via mobile based technologies.
2) A commercially viable business model which “bundles” key services from agriculture industry stakeholders, research and extension institutions, financial service providers, and telecommunications companies, will be developed in three locations (Indonesia, Uganda, Zimbabwe) offering detailed examples for replication and scalability.
The program began in June 2012 and has successfully launched business models in each location, and is currently reaching over 100,000 beneficiaries. There is approximately 18 months remaining in the program Phase I, which will be focused on continuing to reach scale, and deepening impact. In addition, Mercy Corps is actively looking to leverage the opportunity with new donors and preparing for phase II.
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Program Advisor will be responsible for technical oversight of the program, including working with country focal points on formulating and managing the program inception phase, market research and partner development, followed by conceptualizing and leading project development with program partners and supporting country coordinators to manage project implementation, as well as key consultant experts to support project implementation. The Program Advisor will be responsible for overseeing performance on projects, as well as ensuring that a strong cross-learning, monitoring and evaluation stream of activities is consistently applied. The Program Advisor will be responsible for developing program reports to the donor, as well as participating in program publications and events. The Agri-Fin Mobile program is supported by the Social Innovations group within Mercy Corps, and as such, the Program Advisor will be responsible for communicating learning, leveraging and integrating the program in to other SI and Mercy Corps initiatives.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Development
  • With the support of the Agri-Fin Mobile team and support of the Program Director, maintain a clear vision and strategy for the program that can be clearly communicated to team members, government, partners, investors, media, Mercy Corps colleagues and program clients;
  • Develop close working relationships with all project participants and stakeholders – including the primary stakeholders, operations departments, private sector and NGOs – all parties required to establish a shared vision of the project and achieve objectives;
  • Review business plans annually based on new opportunities, including products, financial and outreach projections;
  • Document all lessons learned from the program and prepare periodic case studies, beneficiary stories and annual e-books for publication;
  • Lead the process of writing, editing, assembling, and submitting program reports as well as publishing all program related case studies, e-books and lessons learned;
  • Actively seek opportunities to leverage the program. Work with Mercy Corps’ Social Innovations, TSUs, and country field offices to identify areas for program coordination, as well as opportunities for related new programming; and
  • Provide ongoing and active support to developing Agri-Fin expansion strategies, and proposal development.
Communications
  • Make all efforts to engage key stakeholders in important external evaluations to ensure an understanding of locally perceived impacts and problems;
  • Assist with development and dissemination of program promotional materials, including updates for web page; press releases, newsletter articles and other publication materials related to Mercy Corps’ programs;
  • Represent Mercy Corps and Agri-Fin Mobile at public events, conferences and workshops to promote the Agri-Fin Mobile program and disseminate learnings;
  • Develop and nurture productive internal and external relationships and networks to ensure optimum communication and program success; and
  • Work closely with the Program Director, Regional Directors and Country Directorsto ensure that the Agri-Fin Mobile program and its complicated set of activities are woven into overall country and regional.
M&E and Knowledge Management
  • Work with the Program Team to write, edit, assemble, and ensure timely submission of internal and external reports;
  • Lead writing of regular publications of quarterly newsletters, case studies, e-books, blogs, and research;
  • Lead outsourcing of graphic design, video and photo editing for publication;
  • Manage and promote program online resources such as website, facebook, twitter, etc;
  • Coordinate the collection of all input frameworks and templates for M&E activities, including annual project reviews, monthly partner reporting, baseline & endline studies, process monitoring, operations monitoring and lessons-learned workshops;
  • Guide staff and implementing partners in preparing their progress reports. Together, analyze these reports in terms of problems and actions needed. Prepare consolidated progress reports for project management to submit to the relevant bodies, in accordance with approved reporting formats and timing;
  • Prepare reports on M&E findings, working closely with technical staff and implementing partners; and
  • Maintain overall program library for Zimbabwe, Uganda & Indonesia, as well as global publications and best practices for reference of the program, donors, stakeholders, and Mercy Corps staff.
Administrative and Operational Responsibilities
  • Ensure that an effective and participatory M&E system is established in as decentralized a manner as is possible and would be effective;
  • Make sure the business of the project is conducted in an efficient manner by monitoring project implementation. Ensure that timely decisions on corrective actions are made and implemented;
  • Establish leadership, direction and personal credibility with staff; implement and maintain a clearly understood chain of authority and accountability;
  • With full knowledge of the technical nature of the program, act as a technical resource for team members and lead and/or create opportunities for professional growth in technical areas that bring considerable value to the program; and
  • Prepare and ensure timely submission of donor and internal Mercy Corps reports.
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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Short term consultants

ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Indonesia Program Coordinator, Uganda Program Coordinator, Zimbabwe Program Coordinator, Agri-Fin Mobile Advisory Committee, Relevant Country Directors, South East Asia & East and Southern Africa Regional Program Directors, Chief Innovations Officer, Deputy Executive Director (EDI), Program-Related Consultants, and other Program Stakeholders
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Minimum MA/Sc/MBA or equivalent in business administration, information technology, agriculture, finance or related field required;
  • Five to Seven years’ relevant working experience required; preference for experience in both private and public sector and a strong working knowledge of IT, financial services and agriculture.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop sustainable and socially actionable business models through partnerships including extensive development of products, pricing, marketing strategies, delivery channels, SWOT analysis, financial projections and building value propositions;
  • Strong experience in developing & maintaining relationships & partnerships;
  • Strong written, oral communication and presentation skills;
  • Full proficiency with MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), mobile phone applications (i.e. IPhone, Android, USSD, SMS, MMS, WAP, IVR, STK) and project management software (i.e. MS Project) required; and
  • Proven experience working with diverse teams with demonstrated technical skills in mobile financial services & agriculture.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Program Advisor will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps Agri-Fin Program. S/he will be innovative, decisive and have an inclusive leadership approach. Must have excellent communication and team-building techniques with the ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress while maintaining a sense of humor throughout. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The Program Advisor is based in Kampala. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are three reputable International schools in Uganda. Staff access to medical, electricity, water, etc. This position requires frequent and significant travel internationally.
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. 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.
How to apply:

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