Seed Systems Senior Advisor, Humanitarian and Fragile Contexts at Mercy Corps-apply!

• Mercy Corps is looking for a seasoned technical adviser for seed systems with a strong background in managing partnerships and programs. They will be in charge of the overall administration and technical guidance of the two ISSD action learning subjects for Mercy Corps (about 60% of their time), as well as the pertinent PWS seed system components (about 40% of their time). Since both programs are based on cooperation and consultation, it will be necessary to collaborate with a range of stakeholders, including donors, local groups, research institutions, and other INGOs.
• The Senior Technical Advisor will oversee the technical seeds-related activities for PWS and ISSD Africa. These will include conducting desk reviews on seed-related activities in conflict-affected areas, especially those related to peace building, and on the difficulties, advantages, and gaps in private sector practices that could help create more resilient, inclusive, and productive seed systems in fragile contexts; developing new relationships and collaborations with seed system actors; hosting online and in-person events with a variety of stakeholders, including donors, policy makers, implementing partners, and private sector actors; and recording and sharing knowledge and resources.
• Alongside technical activities, the Senior Advisor will be responsible for management oversight of the two ISSD Africa action learning projects. This will include leading project strategy, partner coordination and management, technical implementation, hiring and managing technical consultants where needed, and reporting and budgeting.

Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM STRATEGY

• Lead the implementation strategy development and refinement of Mercy Corps’ ISSD action learning projects, in collaboration with project partners and other relevant stakeholders
• Act as Mercy Corps’ lead point of contact with WCDI, including engaging in the ISSD Africa management meetings and representing Mercy Corps at partner events
• Work with PWS leadership on implementation strategy for emergency BHA partners, specifically focused on partners’ seed system priorities
• Identify opportunities for synergies with Mercy Corps’ seed system activities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to implementing partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Manage the workplan, budget and reporting for Mercy Corps’ two ISSD action learning projects
• Lead on procurement processes, recruitment, and contracting of consultants, sub-awardees and other vendors
• Manage project partnerships (Seed System and IFDC) and relevant consultants, ensuring clear communication, roles and responsibilities and completion of deliverables on time and within budget
• Ensure delivery of action research, knowledge sharing and learning activities on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

PROGRAM TECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION

• Contribute to influential analysis and derive new insights from desk reviews, assessments and pilot tests; incorporate those results and best practices into learning documents, practical tools or other outputs. Technical focus areas may include: seed systems in conflict-affected areas; private sector practices that could contribute to more resilient, inclusive and productive seed systems in fragile contexts; linking seed system interventions with resilience design and related outcomes (e.g., nutrition, food security); and anticipatory action and scenario planning for seed activities.
• Lead online and in-person technical consultations to harness learning and share best practices and lessons learned; document learning and develop guidance documents/tools based on lessons learned; and facilitate knowledge sharing events with relevant stakeholders.
• Forge new connections and partnerships with seed system actors.
• Document and disseminate learning and tools widely to ensure best practices are shared, endorsed and utilized amongst relevant stakeholders.

MONITORING, EVALUATION AND IMPACT MEASUREMENT

• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation system (M&E) for Mercy Corps’ two ISSD Africa action learning projects. This includes tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for reporting to WCDI, which will be done externally through gathering documentation and conducting yearly or end-of-project surveys with project stakeholders. Internally, this entails making sure that information is entered into Mercy Corps’ online tracking system and providing an annual report on participant counts.
• Contribute to PWS’s M&E and report systems, as relevant and when needed.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donors and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Work closely with finance officer to ensure ISSD budget is managed effectively, on time and within scope.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.

INFLUENCE, REPRESENTATION AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, build and manage strategic partnerships with Seed System, IFDC, other ISSD Africa partners, USAID, as well as with networks and stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps and its programs to various stakeholders, in practitioner and learning networks that are pertinent, at important events, and through the creation of industry-wide papers, conference presentations, and online forums.
• Build external visibility on relevant technical areas.

Supervisory Responsibility

• The position will supervise consultants and sub-awardees, including the technical partners engaged in ISSD Africa. They may occasionally supervise interns and/or volunteers on special assignments.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Director, PRO-WASH & SCALE
• Collaborates Closely With: Senior Director of Food Security (dotted line for work with ISSD Africa). Teams from Mercy Corps’ country programs in priority countries; Wageningen University and Research and other ISSD Africa Partners; Seed System; IFDC; Save the Children; Agriculture Advisors and other team members; Agriculture Systems and other pertinent TSU team members; IDEAL, PRO-WASH, REAL, PCS, and other USAID/BHA learning award staff.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Team members of Mercy Corps are expected to support any initiatives aimed at achieving accountability, particularly with regard to program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and international standards that govern global development and relief efforts. In the planning, execution, and assessment of our field initiatives, we are dedicated to actively involving communities as equal partners.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• At least 4 years of experience implementing emergency projects with a focus on seed system development and/or technically leading or advising on seed system interventions.
• Advanced degree at master’s level or above in a field relevant to agriculture or international development, or at least 7 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated program management experience, including budget management and multi-partner, multi-country coordination experience
• Demonstrated strong theoretical and applied technical expertise in formal and informal seed system development; practical experience with seed system assessments, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated strong theoretical and applied knowledge of market-based programming, including using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking, preferred.
• Experience developing knowledge sharing strategies, learning tools, and leading/facilitating learning events.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders at different levels from various agencies to collate learning and develop frameworks for implementation.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop collaborative relationships
• Strong presentation and communication skills in English required.
• Willingness and ability to travel to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.
• Fluency (written and verbal) in English is required; working knowledge (verbal) of French is preferred.