Uganda: Agricultural Economist ( 1 Position) Based in Moroto - Open to Uganda Nationals

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.

Mercycorps 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 Agricultural Economist. The Agricultural Economist 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.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

To improve food security in GHG operational areas, the Agricultural Economist (AgE) will assist livestock producers to improve their household incomes through improved livestock production with clearly defined cost benefit analysis. The AgE will provide training and assistance directly to targeted livestock farmers and entrepreneurs to help them assess the profitability of new potential activities, including agrovets models, animal feed manufacturers, CAHWs services, livestock traders, feedlots/backyard fatteners, among others. The AgE will also work with these farmers/entrepreneurs to track their actual profitability using standard cost/benefit modelling. The intermediate goals are to increase livestock productivity and household income to improve nutrition and reduce poverty. To achieve this, the AgE will focus on cost benefit analysis of livestock sales, animal feeding, livestock production and health, farm business management, dairy production and small scale preservation, and meat production through backyard fattening at the community level. Through increased productivity and marketability of healthy and fat animals, smallholder farmers will be able to increase their competitiveness, income and household nutrition levels.

The position’s three success factors include 1) the ability to push forward market-driven approaches at all stages of programming, 2) identify the best alternatives and advise producers on how to improve profitability by conducting cost benefit analysis of possible interventions 3) her/his passion to drive results, make critical decisions and produce scheduled outputs at deadline and to the expected quality.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

In collaboration with team members and supervisor:

• Provides financial forecasts for livestock production and business activities, and then assist beneficiaries and staff to monitor actual profitability levels.

• Work closely with the GHG livestock team to identify and pilot interventions in a way that maximizes productivity and competitiveness of small-scale livestock producers and accurately captures production and economic data

• Determine which activities are the most profitable or productive for the family, and then give directions and advice to producers to make refinements that further improve profitability and productivity.

Make calculations and economic forecasts of various aspects of livestock production that can be used by policy makers, private sector, and other stakeholders to more effectively develop Karamoja’s livestock sector.

• Assist businesses, farmers and youth groups to plan for, develop, and monitor the performance of new livestock-related businesses, such as feed block manufacture, silage production, milk distribution, and fattening activities.
• Collaborate with livestock health companies and service providers to address livestock health issues that improve productivity through creating commercially viable businesses.
• Assist businesses, farmers and youth groups to conduct cost benefit analysis so as to show the viability of the business to demonstrate use of local agro-resources; crop and garden bi-products, mineral blocks and industrial bi-products to improve animal body condition and add value to marketable livestock.
• 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;
• Advise government, private sector, associations and unions on the economic implications of livestock policy options;

Partnership Management:

· Identify, assess and develop networks and strategies for potential private, banks, 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;

· Develop tools to simplify data gathering and reporting and ensure teams gather and report necessary data, including maintaining Podio entries for mapping progress with partners;

· Prepare data analyses to be used in quarterly strategic reviews, annual reports, and a midterm evaluation.

• Provide data in support of team’s submission of timely monthly and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
• 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

Research:

· Conduct research projects on specific subjects critical to team success and recommend hiring of external support, where necessary;

· Where needed, support external evaluations by research partners;

Communication and Publication:

· Contribute data, analysis and write-ups to regular organizational publications and reports;

· Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Communication Manager to develop publishable communication material about GHG;

· Author occasional papers for wider distribution;

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A degree in Agricultural Economics with major focus on livestock
• At least 5 years’ experience in livestock production or marketing activities especially in a rural or pastoral community.
• Willingness to work in the field with livestock producers, community animal health workers, kraal leaders, businesses in the value chain and communities;
• Ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners; private sector, banks, government and civil society;

• Demonstrable quantitative skills, including familiarity with database management and analysis

• Proven skills in networking, assessing information needs and developing appropriate tools Knowledge of Uganda’s economy and business environment, particularly in the context of rural development and Karamoja.

• 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 the

Applications: 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 February 5, 2016 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.