Consultant - Senegal Program Engagement - Senegal

Tags: climate change finance English Environment
  • Added Date: Wednesday, 13 March 2024
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Description

Background:

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 partner to put bold solutions into action โ€” helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corps Senegal began operations in 2023, following its global merger with Energy for Impact, operational in Senegal since 2012 providing increased access to sustainable, renewable energy across communities in 8 parts of the country. With funding from Energia/SIDA, GIZ, and private foundations, its current small portfolio is focused on supporting the development and growth of small and medium enterprises to deliver energy products and services to vulnerable populations, through advisory business services and access to financial resources to grow and expand their businesses. Mercy Corps Senegal also hosts a small regional team that is managed separately through the Regional structure, but that works closely with the Senegal country team. As Mercy Corps Senegal develops its country strategy in line with Mercy Corps Global strategy, the Pathway to Possibility (P2P), this is a critical turning point for the Senegal portfolio to grow and diversify our focus areas and funding base, as well as our partnerships moving forward. Notably, we are working to expand our work beyond energy into areas including climate resilience, economic development, and agriculture and value chains development.

The Advancing Public-Private Engagement in Climate Services for Small Scale Producers program is a two-year engagement working in Kenya and Senegal, that aims to develop and pilot innovative public-private partnership or engagement (PPP/PPE) models that support effective and sustainable weather and climate service (WCS) delivery for improved agricultural decision making. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the resilience of small-scale producers to the impacts of climate variability and change.

The intended outcome of this program is improved access to and uptake of WCS which improve agricultural decision making at the meso-scale as a result of sustained engagement in innovative PPP/PPE to support wider adoption and scale up. Four Outputs will contribute to the achievement of this goal:

  1. Country level context analyses that map the hydromet value chain, key public and private sector stakeholders, challenges and priority opportunities for greater private sector engagement, and relevant regulatory frameworks and policies.
  2. Effective public private collaboration in pilot projects founded upon clear, transparent, and equitable PPP/PPE frameworks.
  3. Pilot projects that deliver innovative, effective, and sustainable WCS solutions for smallholder agriculture that tap into the strengths of both public and private sector actors with a focus on addressing the gap between demand and supply of targeted WCS.
  4. Evidence generated and shared to inform scale-up of pilots and wider uptake of pilot approaches.

    Program Summary

    Mercy Corps is seeking a Program Engagement Consultant for our Advancing Public-Private Engagement in Climate Services for Small Scale Producers program. This two-year program aims to develop and pilot innovative public-private partnership or engagement (PPP/PPE) models that support effective and sustainable weather and climate service (WCS) delivery for improved agricultural decision making. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the resilience of small-scale producers to the impacts of climate variability and change.

    General Position Summary

    The Senegal Program Engagement Consultant, working under the supervision of the Global DCSA Director and in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program in Senegal, and for managing the delivery of key inception phase outputs including country level context analysis and WCS needs assessment. The Program Engagement Consultant will support the development of pilot projects built upon clear transparent and equitable PPP/PPE frameworks, to deliver innovative, effective, and sustainable WCS solutions for smallholder agriculture. S/he will liaise with a diversity of internal and external stakeholders throughout program implementation to ensure that the team is identifying and implementing innovative WCS pilots, and evidence is captured and shared to inform scale-up and wider uptake of these approaches. In addition to a strong background in research and partnership/program development the Program Engagement Consultant will bring an in-depth understanding of the role of the private sector in delivering weather and climate services for climate change adaptation.

    Essential Job Responsibilities:

    STRATEGY AND VISION

    โ— Work under the guidance of the DCSA Director to identify, engage, and achieve buy-in of key counterparts in priority countries, including NHMS Directors, private sector representatives, and information end-users, and secure commitments to the aims and objectives of the project.

    โ— Play a key role in developing the program strategy and direction for Senegal-based activities by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives.

    โ— Manage engagement with key public and private sector stakeholders in Senegal. Relevant organizations are likely to include the National Agency for Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM), micro insurance providers, agribusiness, private sector producer cooperatives, agricultural research and extension services (ISRA (Institut Sรฉnรฉgalais de Recherches Agricoles)/ Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research: ISRA is the primary agricultural research institution in Senegal (research on various crops, livestock, and agroecological systems to develop and disseminate improved technologies); ANCAR (Agence Nationale de Conseil Agricole et Rural)/ National Agricultural and Rural Advisory Agency: ANCAR is the national agricultural extension agency in Senegal (responsible for providing advisory services and disseminating agricultural technologies to farmers); telecoms companies, agriculture finance and technology institutions, and renewable energy companies.

    โ— Contribute to the programโ€™s learning and influencing agenda, working with relevant stakeholders including HQ based research staff to integrate and advance learning, adaptation and scale up within the program and more broadly, including the

    management of an informal online learning network.

    โ— Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

    โ— Stay abreast of the latest advancements in climate science; ongoing initiatives (donor-led programs/government program) and incorporate relevant findings into program strategies under the leadership of the Program Director.

    โ— In collaboration with relevant Mercy Corps team members, represent the program in key forums and donor meetings.

    โ— Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with relevant regional and national agencies active in relevant technical fields, including donors, other organizations, local authorities and local partners. Attend relevant coordination forums to identify synergies.

    PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

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