Job Description

Project Background:

The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program seeks to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the target areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, and community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict. The project will pursue two main objectives:

1)     Strengthen and diversity in rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups; and

2)     Promote economic agency of marginalized groups.

Position Summary:

The Market Systems Development Specialist -Agriculture, assumes a vital role in driving the productivity and competitiveness of Somalia's agricultural sector. This position entails supporting the Chief of Party and Technical Director on the design and implementation of innovative and catalytic programming approaches to strengthen – 1) sesame value chain linkages, 2) Somali Regulatory Inspection Service (SARIS) post adoption of the law, through regional linkages, and 3) the governance of cooperatives/associations and state chambers of commerce. These combined efforts will help to reinforce the long-term resilience of marginalized communities who rely on the agricultural sector for their livelihoods. The MSD Specialist -Agriculture will spearhead initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration and partnerships, with a focus on enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for marginalized farmers through private sector engagement, facilitating the expansion of seeds and sesame to the domestic and regional markets.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversee the design, implementation, and management of agricultural sector activities as agreed with USAID, FCDO and Federal Government of Somalia. This includes sustainable agricultural practices, environmental impact assessments, gender inclusion and developing strategies for the economic empowerment of marginalized communities.

• Provide technical facilitation support in responsibilities for MSD activities to ensure the planned activities are implemented timely and with required deliverable quality.

• Provide technical direction with respect to developing private-sector agricultural partnerships that can tangibly help marginalized citizens overcome entrenched barriers to economic participation and success.

• Engage with private sector seed enterprises, out grower groups, village-based agents, aggregators, investors, cooperatives, women's groups, and government representatives to drive agricultural sector growth and resilience. Identify and integrate various value chain components e.g. logistics and certification, and standards.

• Collaborating with IRiS technical leads to identify cross-sectoral coordination opportunities, integrating climate resilient agriculture with other sectors such as, energy and access to finance.

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with relevant government agencies, local communities, export associations, private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in agriculture.

• Work across technical divisions (including those dedicated to economic agency and inclusion, and economic empowerment of IDPs) and grant-management teams to ensure achievement of program and workplan targets in a holistic way.

• Identify strategic areas for agriculture-related research and manage the dissemination of results to inform policy making, including overseeing policy engagement to encourage innovation and the uptake of new technologies.

• Facilitate linkages between farmers, out growers, aggregators, seed companies, and financial services providers. Provide leadership in developing private-sector partnerships that improve economic participation and access to finance for marginalized groups.

• Coordinate and support the preparation of contractual reports and communication pieces. Engage in substantive discussions with representatives of other institutions.

Deliverables

• Monthly performance reports to include a summary of technical activities completed and milestones achieved in consultation with our program partner- Somalia Agricultural Technical Group (SATG).

• Final Report on completion of the assignment, to include a detailed review of the crops market systems development and resilience component activities on - strengthening sesame value chain linkages; strengthening SARIS through regional linkages; strengthening cooperative/associations governance.

• Review of component achievements against program targets

Experiences and Qualifications

Education & Minimum Qualifications:

• Both a bachelor’s degree in Agri-economics, Business, Finance, or a related field.

• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant work experience in the Somalia agricultural sector, donor projects focusing on climate resilience agricultural development.

• Demonstrated track record in successfully managing cross-cutting activities in the productive sectors.

• Strong understanding of the unique energy needs and challenges faced by the agricultural sector, with a focus on renewable energy and energy-efficient solutions.

• Demonstrated technical knowledge in business inclusive practices among marginalized groups.

• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with private sector partners, cooperative leaders, and other stakeholders.

• Deep understanding of the Agricultural sector in Somalia.

• Experience working with donor-funded programming, with a preference for experience with USAID projects.

• Must be a Somali national, with fluency in both spoken and written English and Somali.

DT Global Core Competencies:

• Teamwork: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust, and commitment.

• Communication: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally Demonstrates effective use of skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts

• Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment

• Customer/Client Focused: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.

• Diversity & Inclusion: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.

• Professionalism: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity, and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal

Skills Required

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