Mercy Corps AgriFin Accelerate Zambia Director Job Vacancy

May 5, 2016

Mercy Corps

Position Title: AgriFin Accelerate Zambia Director
 

Duty Station: Zambia
 

The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially. 

 

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques
 

Mercy Corps seeks to recruit a dynamic, energetic and innovative Zambia Director.
 

General Position Summary: The Agrifin Accelerate Zambia Director (AAZD) will be responsible for the implementation of the overall country program in Zambia, including formulating and managing the program inception/research phase, establishing the country office, hiring and managing well qualified staff and consultants, followed by establishing program partnerships, conceptualizing and leading project development with program partners to fulfill program objectives and targets. 

The AAZD will be responsible for overseeing performance of all country projects, supported by technical teams from the Hub office in Kenya, as well as coordinating with other country programming and ensuring that a strong cross-learning, monitoring and evaluation stream of activities is consistently applied.
 

The AAZD will take the lead role in developing and managing private and public sector partnerships for the program, including core partnerships with leading banks, mobile network operators, insurers and technology providers focused on service to smallholder farmers, as well as with other ecosystem partners including farmer unions, MFIs, agricultural buyers and suppliers and insurance providers. 

The AAZD will provide both technical and project leadership on all program engagements with program partners and ensure adequate internal and external resources are provided to ensure their success. 

The AAZD will be responsible for managing program budgets and developing country-level program reports to the donor, as well as taking a leading role in overall program thought leadership, contributing to program publications, representation and events. 

The AAZD will take the lead in communicating country activities and learning within the AFA program. 

The AgriFin Accelerate program will align and coordinate the original AgriFin Mobile program and other AgriFin and relevant programming efforts throughout Mercy Corps.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum MA/Sc/MBA or equivalent in business administration, information technology, agriculture, finance or related field required;


• Minimum ten years’ relevant working experience required; preference for experience in both private and public sector and a strong working knowledge of IT, financial services and agriculture;


• Demonstrated experience in development of digitally-enabled products and services for low income markets, including extensive development of products, pricing, marketing strategies, delivery channels, SWOT analysis, financial projections and building value propositions;


• Demonstrated ability to develop sustainable and socially actionable business models through partnerships, including private sector, development agencies, advocacy groups and government;


• Strong experience in developing, working within & maintaining complex programs, organizational relationships & partnerships in the international context;


• Proven track record of ability to lead and manage projects including work plans, budgets, reporting, HR management and commitment to deliverables and timeframes; with international country office start up experience in Africa preferred,


• Strong written, oral communication and presentation skills;


• Full proficiency with MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), mobile phone applications (i.e. IPhone, Android, USSD, SMS, MMS, WAP, IVR, STK) and project management software (i.e. MS Project) required.

For the full job description and application procedure visit: http://bit.ly/1Tuns0X

Deadline for applications is 15th May, 2016. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.