Market Systems Trainee-One vacancy based in Moroto (Open to Ugandan Nationals Only)-Re-advertised 210 views1 applications

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been present in Uganda since 2006, focusing its interventions on economic and agricultural development, maternal child health and nutrition, governance, conflict management and humanitarian response. In 2017, Mercy Corps had an impact on almost 1 million beneficiaries in Uganda through our work focusing on building resilience and enabling economic growth, improving opportunities to attain better health and nutrition, and improving governance and conflict management. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Market Systems Trainee will support the Market Systems Development (MSD) team in implementing the related activities with in the region.

GRADUATE TRAINEE RESPONSIBILITIES:

· The market systems trainee will take part in analyzing markets trends and suggesting activities towards access to new markets and business development opportunities for value chains in Karamoja region.

· The trainee will gain a strong understanding of the market systems approach and he/she is expected to use the knowledge to analyze the key growth and revenue drivers across the existing value chains.

· Provide daily support to the MSD officers and manager, including the preparation of background documents, research pieces, and presentations as needed.

· The trainee will be involved in field-level implementation, demonstrations on improved practices and technologies in collaboration with MSD Officers and other key stakeholders in the intervention areas. This will improve his/her ability to create and maintain functional partnerships based on mutual benefit and respect to achieve win – win outcomes.

· The trainee will work directly with the MSD officers to develop agent input/output and aggregator networks intended to increase local partners’ access to market information and financial services.

· The market systems trainee will gain hands on experience in strengthening private sector interventions in livestock and agriculture value chains, as well as scaling up financial inclusion and other products/services as relevant.

· The trainee will have a chance to experience how private sector led and project-support development is tailored to the unique needs, opportunities and constraints of women and youth in the intervention areas.

· Contribute to writing weekly and monthly program reports based on field inputs for review by the Market Systems Development officers

DELIVERABLES:

· Actively participate in Apolou private sector engagement tool development, implementation and lesson learning

· Mobilize and facilitate the engagements of stakeholders during planning and development meetings, workshops and other fora

· Write up accurate and timely reports pertaining to all planned activities in the required format and submit to the Market System Development Manager

· Document and maintain records pertaining to training, production activities forward issues to management for decisions and appropriate action in line with Mercy Corps policies

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY:**

· All Mercy Corps staff are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

· The applicants for the Market Systems Trainee jobs at Mercy Corps must hold a bachelor’s degree in Microfinance, Agribusiness, Economics, Statistics, Business Studies and any other related field

· Previous experience in relationship building, data collection and reporting techniques.

· The candidate must be results oriented with the ability to think creatively and adapt to tense moments with minimal supervision.

· He/ She must be willing to work in rural settings in Karamoja region and interact freely with the program clients.

· Excellent communication skills

· Self-starter and able to work under minimal supervision.

· Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas.

· Flexibility and desirous to take on additional roles and responsibilities as opportunities and needs arise

· Knowledge of the local environment and fluency in languages like Pokot, Kiswahili and Nga’Karamajong will be an added advantage.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Mercy Corps Graduate Trainees represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.