Agro-Meterological Officer

Agro-Meterological Officer

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal – with extensive field visits

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

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. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, youth engagement, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

The Managing Risks through Economic Development (M-RED) project spans four years (2022-2025) and aims to create and execute a model integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and economic development. It focuses on establishing enduring, market-driven DRR approaches to enhance resilience against various disasters. This multi-country initiative is dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in Nepal, Timor Leste, and Indonesia. It has received support from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation since 2013 and is currently in its fourth phase.

MRED promotes a system approach of preparedness, response, and recovery through collaboration from community to national levels. At the community and household levels, interventions aim to reduce disaster risks and enhance income generation by cultivating, processing, and selling crops for disaster mitigation, thereby increasing household incomes. The program strengthens economic prospects by helping communities access markets for high-demand, high-value commodities. Through market assessments and connecting household producers with local markets, the program addresses these challenges. Additionally, the project focuses on high-quality documentation and advocating for the replication of the MRED model.

Mercy Corps Nepal has been awarded a grant by Start Network to develop the Drought Anticipatory Action toolkit (KHADERI Alert) with the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR). This 8-month project, running from May to December 2024, aims to collaborate with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and the National Agriculture Research Council (NARC). The project will test KHADERI Alert in MRED’s working Palikas and build the capacities of AKC, LEOC, and municipal agriculture units. MRED’s current work in 10 Palikas will serve as drought test beds for KHADERI Alert, supported by an Agro-Meteorological officer working with NARC, DHM, and local agencies.

General Position Summary

The Agro-Meteorological officer will assume overall responsibility for supporting the KHADERI Alert project working together with DHM team, IHRR team and coordinating with MRED team in Nepal. With support from the Program Manager (MRED) and technical experts from DHM, IHRR and NARC Agro-met will also support for co, approaches, innovation, and methods, closely coordinating with the Program Manager of the M-RED Nepal program.

The Agro-met officer is responsible for supporting Agro-met section of DHM; support coordination meeting with DHM, NARC IHRR and MCN, documenting it and identifying windows to take forward the development of KHADERI Alert Decision Support System; support in documentation of work with DHM and NARC related to KHADERI alert. The position has both the flexibility and rigor for a proactive individual who feels comfortable being seconded at DHM and working with DHM team, NARC and IHRR experts together with MC- MRED team.

S/he will collaborate with MRED field-teams, palikas district authorities, DRR and Economic resilience advisor of MRED. S/he will work closely with Mercy Corps’ MRED Program Manager, DRR and Humanitarian Advocacy lead based in Kathmandu.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Agro- Meteorological Officer include, but are not limited to, the following:

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Analyze future trends and challenges in agro-meteorology and their impact on agriculture to inform Drought Anticipatory Action toolkit.
• Contribute to crafting a long-term vision outlining how MCN and IHRR will leverage weather and climate data to support agriculture in anticipation of Drought along with other multiple hazards.
• With Support from Program Manager and IHRR lead from Khaderi alert, continuously monitor and refine the work plan to ensure alignment with evolving needs of the project.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Support the development and implementation of the Decision Support System (KHADERI ALERT) of innovative that utilize weather and climate data to improve agricultural decision-making for DHM, NARC, START Network members.
• Support both DHM (Agro-Met) section and NARC related task being seconded in DHM.
• Support in managing project timelines, ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely program delivery.
• Under super vision of program manager and IHRR lead collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, member of KHADERI ALERT technical working group, Community of Practices, to implement programs envisioned in the projects.
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program success and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into sector-specific program planning and implementation.

PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATIONS

• Support MEL led to set targets, work plans and schedules and ensure they are agreed by DHM agro met section chief.
• Support in writing annual program reports.
• Under the guidance of Sr. MEL officer, develop clear metrics to track progress and success of strategic initiatives and implemented programs.
• Conduct regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Utilize data and feedback to inform future strategic direction, program development, and resource allocation.
• Support Program Manager and IHRR project led to generate reports and presentations to communicate program findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

OTHERS

• Stay up to date on advancements in agro-meteorology and their potential applications for agriculture.
• Champion the value of agro-meteorology to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, agricultural organizations, and farmers.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing through publications or presentations.
• Business Development Team for developing projects/programs related to Disaster Risk Management, Climate Adaptation and Emergency Response.
• Travel to the field for implementation of the trainings and support development of EAP for selected palikas.
• Other work as advised by the Program Manager, Director of Program and Country Director.

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Working together with the finance and compliance team to ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.
• Work closely with finance/compliance team to mitigate fraud, conflict of interest and legal ramifications of Mercy Corps activities.
• Follow MC Code of Ethics and uphold Mercy Corps’ Zero tolerance of corruption policy.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Build and maintain close links with Flood Resilience Alliance partners at the country level.
• Ensure regular and on-going coordination with key government, non-governmental, donor, private sector and multi-later stakeholders related to the flood resilience agenda.
• Network in the country to establish and maintain strategic relations with relevant local and international stakeholders, to continually inform, challenge, and improve Mercy Corps’ advocacy, strategy, and program development.
• Coordinate and closely work MRED and other Mercy Corps programs in support of a common Multihazard agenda; represent these programs to government and other external stakeholders as needed.

Supervisory Responsibility

Program Manager

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Program Manager- MRED

Works Directly with: Khaderi Alert team MRED Program and IHRR and DHM agro-met section

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree on Agriculture, Meteorology or any relevant subjects
• 2 years of experience successfully working on Agro-meteorology related work
• Good knowledge of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, and Resilience is highly desirable.
• Excellent ability to work with Nepal government staffs being stationed in DHM office
• Demonstrate knowledge on Agro-meteorology Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation is highly desirable.
• Ability to summarize and persuasively communicate complex information in written and verbal form to different audiences, including experience leading the production of external written policy products.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Team player that can coordinate and facilitate tasks for program outcomes both internally and externally, with stakeholders including Alliance partners, national/sub-national/local governments, community groups, INGOs, NGOs, donors, UN, and others.
• English proficiency (quality writing skills a plus).
• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.Success Factors

A successful Agro- Meterological Officer will be able to manage and mobilize project resources for effective and efficient implementation of the project activities to achieve the results and influence public, private and civil society organization to replicate and scale-up project best practices and learnings related to market-driven solutions to risk reduction and integration of market-development and financial service approaches into the DRR methods and tools utilized in the program. S/he should have the ability to travel frequently to remote areas and the capacity to develop training package and tools as required in the project districts.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Security

Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadesrship.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Method:

Please send us the updated CV and cover letter in np-hr@mercycorps.org with position title “Agro-Meterological Officer” mentioning in subject line by COB August 05, 2024.