Crop Specialist (Agronomist: Sorghum Production Officer (SPO) – SADEP

About Mercy Corps

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.

DEPARTMENT/ PROGRAM SUMMARY

Mercy Corps has been present in South Sudan since 2005 and acts on behalf of people who have become displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing conflict. With funding from a multitude of donors including the UK Department for International Development (DFID - FCDO), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), European Union, NORAD, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Private Foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to empower people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. In South Sudan our work focusing on the delivery of timely humanitarian interventions, improving food security and livelihood options through and market systems development, and governance for supporting civil society empowerment  With emphasis on conflict-affected youth, women, as well as IDPs and host communities, we champion and lead state-of-the art relief and recovery approaches through gender mainstreaming, market systems development, partnership, addressing root causes, adaptive management, and resilience approaches.

The Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (SADEP) is a seven-year initiative jointly designed by IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of South Sudan. Its goal is to contribute to lasting peace and poverty reduction by enhancing resilience, food, and nutrition security for rural communities in four counties across Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Jonglei States. SADEP will support approximately 18,700 households (about 122,200 people), primarily smallholder farmers and fishing communities engaged in sorghum, groundnuts, sesame, and fisheries value chains. SADEP is structured around three core components plus emergency response. Component 1 strengthens community-driven planning and promotes climate-adaptive, nutrition-sensitive agriculture and sustainable fisheries through climate-smart practices, improved seeds, extension services, and community-led fisheries management. Component 2 complements this by investing in inclusive, climate-resilient community infrastructure and improved post-harvest technologies, with a strong focus on women and youth. Component 3 focuses on institutional strengthening, policy support, and effective project coordination to ensure sustainability, alignment with national systems, and efficient implementation.

The Position

The Sorghum Production Systems Officer (SPSO) will lead the implementation of Subcomponent 1.2 and selected activities under Subcomponent 2.2 of the SADEP project. The SPSO will provide technical guidance on sorghum and associated crop production systems, including drought-tolerant cereals and legumes. The officer will work closely with project teams, farmers, and implementing partners to ensure the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and ecosystem-based management approaches, contributing to enhanced productivity and resilience of smallholder farming systems.

Essential Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Crop Management

• Lead the implementation of sorghum production interventions under Subcomponent 1.2 and relevant activities of Subcomponent 2.2.
• Provide technical guidance on drought-tolerant cereals, legumes, and other climate-smart crop production systems.
• Support the integration of ecosystem-based management principles into farming practices.
• Advise farmers, community groups, and extension staff on agronomic best practices to improve yield, quality, and resilience.

Training, Extension, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate training sessions, demonstrations, and field days for farmers, community-based organizations (CBOs), and project staff.
• Collaborate with local extension services, research institutions, and implementing partners to ensure effective technology transfer.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors, to promote best practices.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Collect, manage, and analyze data on crop performance, yield, and adoption of best practices.
• Support the preparation of technical reports and recommendations for project management and donors.
• Utilize statistical and data management tools for monitoring production systems and evaluating intervention impact.

Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural environment.
• Share lessons learned and contribute to knowledge management initiatives within SADEP.
• Support adaptive management by providing evidence-based recommendations for continuous improvement.

Safeguarding responsibilities

●        Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

●        Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

●        Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: SADEP Project Manager

Works Directly With: Director of Programs

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in research, extension, or training in agricultural production, preferably in South Sudan or Eastern Africa.
• Strong technical knowledge of drought-tolerant crop production systems (cereals and legumes), climate-smart agriculture, and ecosystem-based management.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills in English.
• Statistical skills and proficiency in computer applications and software for data collection, management, and analysis are desirable.
• Ability to work collaboratively in diverse, multicultural environments.

Success Factors

Success in this role requires the ability to provide high-quality technical leadership and guidance on sorghum and associated crop production systems. The SPSO must be skilled at engaging farmers, project staff, and partners to ensure adoption of climate-smart practices and ecosystem-based approaches. Effective communication, facilitation, and collaboration across diverse stakeholders are essential, as is the capacity to analyze data and provide actionable recommendations. The officer must be flexible, results-focused, and able to work under the challenging field conditions of South Sudan while contributing to improved productivity, resilience, and sustainability of local farming systems.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Juba, and it requires up to 40% field travel to support project delivery, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. 

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

Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).