Democratic Republic of the Congo: Markets and Value Chains Manager - DR Congo

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 collaborate 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 has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 300 people working in North and South Kivu, with the overall country goal to support vulnerable communities through crises, while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps' national office is in Goma with sub-field offices in Mweso (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu). Mercy Corps' key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to: 1) Improve water service delivery and ensuring equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development.

The Food Security and Inclusive Access to Resources for Conflict-Sensitive Market Development (FARM) programme will work to improve access to, control over and utilization of land for 44,000 households in North Kivu and improve target market systems through increased cooperation between market actors in selected value chains, contributing to food security and increased stability. FARM will put emphasis on improving access to land through improved service delivery and dialogue platforms for the benefit of the target population. In parallel, FARM will facilitate linkages between farmers, agri-businesses, private sectors actors, cooperatives and government in order to strengthen and diversify the target market systems.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Market and Value Chains Development Manager will be responsible for providing leadership, technical oversight and ensuring direct management for all activities related to FARM's Strategic Objective 2: Strengthen market systems and cooperation between value chain actors, with particular attention on improving agriculture markets and value-chain development. He/she will define implementation strategies in coordination with the Programme Director and the program's democratic dialogue processes, training staff, providing them with technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities through the development of manuals with detailed instructions for implementing activities. They will keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of market/value chain development (specifically the M4P approach) and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed from their headquarters or regional offices and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies. The Manager will lead coordination with the FARM program's third-party technical lead on value chain development and oversee local implementing partners under his/her component.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management and Implementation:

• Provide leadership and management of all aspects of SO2 activity design, planning, implementation, quality and accountability.
• In coordination with the third-party technical lead, using an M4P approach, ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and market development needs, consistent with Mercy Corps' relevant program guidelines, principles, value and quality standards.
• Oversee all activities related to market/value chain development, entrepreneurship and youth specific community projects, ensuring that all staff are following workplans, activities are on schedule, and project deliverables are completed as planned
• Advise Team Leaders and sector specialists on technical aspects of market/value chain development in a gender, age, conflict and ethnicity sensitivity manner.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to community needs and consistent with Mercy Corps' and technical guidelines
• Provide technical direction; ensure team members are following workplans, that activities are on schedule, and that project deliverables are completed as planned.
• In coordination with the country DMEL department, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.
• Together with the Program Director and S01 Manager design SBCC activities to address program goals including the promotion of gender and age equitable attitudes.
• Advise on technical aspects of market/value chain development in SO1 (Land Access and Use) as needed.

Program Coordination/Representation

• Support the Program Director to liaise with The Dutch Embassy in Kigali and Goma Representation and represent the program to other ISSSS aligned or funded programs, cooperating sponsors and other stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field (including the Clusters), in close coordination with the Program Director.
• Coordinate activities with SO2 partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Finance, Compliance and Quality Management

• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Provide technical and management support for the reporting requirements to the program.
• Ensure that the FARM program has sufficient systems in place to meet program management standards and comply with donor regulations and good practice.
• Ensure Program File for SO2 is kept up to date and meets minimum program management standards.
• Support development and implementation of program policies, protocols and systems.
• Work with program staff to integrate quality monitoring processes based on protocols into program implementation, including internal and external reviews of program quality.

Team Management Support

• Build the capacity of DRC staff and local partners in the area of reporting to enable them to develop high quality reports and other documents.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Contribute to program team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and build capacity related to market and value chain development.

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: Direct Supervisor to SO2 Team Leaders

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director - FARM

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Grants Manager, SO2 Manager, M&E Officer, program staff, finance, operations and program support staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• MA/S or equivalent experience in social science, management, international development or other relevant field;
• 3-5 years relevant professional experience implementing market develop, value chain; agricultural or livelihood programs, preferably in insecure or transitional environments;
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills;
• Experience in gender and youth integration;
• Strong written and oral English preferred;
• Experience managing national and international staff;
• Familiarity and experience with Dutch/DFID regulations preferred;
• Experience managing sub-grantees preferred;
• Experience / skills managing programs in insecure regions required;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members;
• Experience in Africa, specifically DRC, preferred;
• Fluency in written and spoken French required.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Market and Value Chains Development Manager will be familiar with the particular challenges of market development in Eastern Congo, including regional implications. He/she will have a strong combination of team leadership, coordination, experience in conflict sensitive development and implementing programs in contexts of insecurity. S/he will have familiarity with the procedures of the M4P approach, and the capacity to manage relationships with different levels of government ministries. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for inclusive market development to promote sustainable practices to achieve food security, contributing to increased stability. A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other humanitarian actors implementing in the areas of intervention. A successful Market and Value Chains Development Manager will complete activities in a timely manner in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor procedures and guidelines.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This is un-accompanied post based in Goma, DRC and is eligible for R&R. Goma is a provincial capital of around 1million inhabitants. Living in Goma is comfortable, although water and electricity can be unstable. Outside Goma, travel can be dangerous and unpredictable due to armed forces and rebel activity.

While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Goma, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity. Mercy Corps' sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with evacuation options for serious illnesses. There's reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.

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.

PI103391701

Apply Here

Apply Here