PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
MercyCorps implements high-quality and analytical development work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. Mercycorps is currently implementing a market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program, North Karamoja Growth, Health and Governance (GHG) programme, working in the northern half of Karamoja region. GHG works through partners with private, public and civil society sectors to support immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja.
Mercy Corps plans to expand its GHG livestock activities to identify and pilot key interventions that have the potential to improve the productivity and competitiveness of Karamoja’s livestock producers – including cattle for meat and dairy, goats and sheep. The project is thus in search of a competent and creative person to fill the position of Livestock Production Officer. The Livestock Production Officer will participate in the daily implementation of the development programming through supporting key stakeholders to ensure the desired outcomes and targeted behaviours are achieved at household level. It is an opportunity for result oriented and self-motivated individual looking for complex challenges that can make a real difference in people’s lives.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
In an effort to improve food security in GHG operational areas through improved livestock production and marketing, the program focuses on creating systemic change in Karamoja’s nascent livestock value chain that will inform future livestock development strategies. To achieve this, the Livestock Marketing Officer will focus on pilot interventions that strengthen market channels, farmers’ commercial orientation, and identify market opportunities for Karamoja-produced livestock, with an emphasis on passing value-added to the Karamajong producers.
The Livestock Marketing Officer will work to improve the economic future and quality of life of program beneficiaries. The position’s three success factors include: 1) His/her ability to push forward market-driven approaches at all stages of programming, 2) the degree to which the person promotes and captures learning with her/his team, institutionalizing activity reviews, identifying and evaluating preconceptions and promoting a culture of inquisition, and 3) her/his passion to drive results, make critical decisions and produce scheduled outputs at deadline and to the expected quality will be.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
In collaboration with team members and supervisor:
• Work closely with the GHG livestock team, district production and commercial offices, traders and traders associations, research institutions, district veterinary offices, agrovets, CAHWs, farmers and other key partners to identify livestock production and marketing gaps, design intervention strategies, work plans and implementation of livestock production activities according to the approved work plans and budgets.
• Strengthen producer-trader linkages through business dialogues and livestock fairs, and support mobile information exchange platforms to ensure market information symmetry.
• Facilitate regular interactions between traders, farmers, transporters and engage support establishment of business forums to engage policy makers and create an enabling and competitive livestock business environment.
• Help establish new marketing relationships through exchanges and information sharing.
• Facilitate exposure visits of farmers and traders associations to feedlots to foster learning, and local livestock traders to abattoirs and livestock markets outside the region for business linkages and new animal market routes.
• Conduct market analysis to assess business opportunities for livestock, including poultry.
• Support dissemination of early warning information to farmers to influence farmers’ decisions on herd composition and animal off-take during droughts.
• Monitor intervention activities and collect beneficiary qualitative and quantitative information, document success stories and maintain proper records and filling systems;
• Prepare and submit periodic work plans and activity reports to the project manager;
• Apply a gender and youth lens to activities in the program cycle;

Partnership Management:
• Identify, assess and develop networks and strategies for potential private, public and civil society sector partnership with GHG program
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with community, sub-county and district level leaders and soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate
• Make on-site field visits regularly to monitor progress of activities and provide strategic measures for progress to maximize the programmes’ economic and social impacts to the community
• Work with team leader(s) and Mercy Corps technical staff in order to bring synergy among different components of the project

Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry;
• Take primary responsibility for sector-focused data gathering;
• Establish procedures and guidelines to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of economic development support work including setting and measuring benchmarks along results chains;
• Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;
• Provide data in support of team’s submission of timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
• Where needed, support external evaluations by research partner Feinstein International Centre and other organizations;
• Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Information Officers (MELIOs) to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field into database and for preparation of communication reports

Other:
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner that brings credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager.
Do This
ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:Livestock Advisor
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:Livestock team, Economic Development Teams, Team Leaders, M&E and other Mercy Corps program and operations staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• A degree in Agriculture (Livestock production and marketing), economics, marketing or its equivalent;
• 3+ years experience in livestock marketing, including market information, live animal trading, livestock sales to abattoirs and other markets, or similar experience.
• Willingness to work in rural areas with livestock producers, traders, and other market players
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners; private sector, government and civil society;
• Skills in team work, holding community consultations and organizational development;
• Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills
• Good spoken and written English. Fluency in Ngakarimojong and Ethurr is an advantage

HOW TO APPLY:
Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org. Deadline for Submission:Close of business on October 16, 2015Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.