Market Systems Development Lead

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 — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future. Program Summary Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2004, and currently has a country office in Port Sudan and field offices in South Darfur, Central Darfur, South Kordofan, North Kordofan, Kassala, River Nile, Northern and Gedaref states. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, resilience, and Market Systems Development. Mercy Corps’ Sudan crisis response seeks to meet the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Sudanese and other conflict-affected people across the country. Mercy Corps Sudan is recognized as a leader in market systems, agricultural, and food security and building on this experience, the Mercy Corps Sudan humanitarian program will layer in resilience and other program activities where appropriate and feasible to do so. The Sudan Somoud - Enhancing Community Resilience Project is an initiative funded by the World Bank which has two interlinked components: Component 1: Community Led Basic Service Delivery. This component supports: (i) delivery of improved community led basic services; (ii) temporary engagement of frontline workers and volunteers in select sectors; (iii) project management and technical assistance costs; and (iv) technical assistance and training to select local authorities. Component 2: Improving Food Security. This component supports: (i) increased resilience and production of select crops and protection of livestock assets in rural areas that supply food to the target communities; (ii) agricultural value chains; (iii) the scaling-up and strengthening of community consumer cooperatives and organizations and community food centers that distribute agricultural outputs and provide affordable food to vulnerable groups; and (iv) project management and implementation costs. General Position Summary The Market Systems Development (MSD) Lead will oversee the technical design, implementation, and management of agricultural and market systems development activities under the SOMOUD program. As a member of the PMU, the MSD Lead will ensure the integration of market-driven approaches that promote increased agricultural production, build value chains, and support the development of local markets in Gedaref. The role will focus on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing market access, and fostering partnerships with private sector actors, ensuring that the program achieves its goals of increased food security and resilience. Essential Job Responsibilities Technical Leadership and Program Management:

• Lead the technical design, implementation, and adaptation of market systems development (MSD) approaches in line with the objectives of the SOMOUD program.
  • Oversee agricultural interventions, ensuring they are market-driven and align with MSD principles to create sustainable, systemic change in local markets.
    • Ensure that all activities are technically sound, aligned with best practices, and effectively address market barriers for local producers and businesses.
      • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop work plans, ensuring that MSD and agricultural components are integrated with other program activities.
        • Regularly review and adapt program strategies based on emerging opportunities, challenges, and learning from implementation. Strategic Planning and Development:
          • Develop and implement market systems strategies that promote increased productivity, focusing on agriculture value chains, market linkages, and SME growth.
            • Identify key market actors and design interventions that catalyze private sector investment and engagement.
              • Lead market analysis and assessments to identify systemic constraints and opportunities for market system improvements in the agricultural sector.
                • Design innovative market-based solutions to improve access to finance, input markets, and output markets for smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. Stakeholder Engagement and Representation:
                  • Engage with local private sector actors, financial institutions, and government stakeholders to foster partnerships that support MSD objectives.
                    • Represent the SOMOUD program in external forums, meetings, and events, advocating for market systems approaches to agricultural development.