Mercy
Corps AgriFin Accelerate Program
Vacancy: Technology Product Manager
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.
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.
We are
presently looking for a committed and dynamic individual to take up the
position of a Technology
Product Manager
General Position Summary: The Technology Product Manager (TPM) will provide technical support and direction related to technology on all technical assistance and partner engagement with AgriFin Accelerate program partners across all three countries, including banks, MFIs, insurance companies, mobile-network operators, and agribusinesses.
The
TPM will assist with new digitally-enabled product development and delivery
designed to enhance the financial inclusion of small-holder farmers in Kenya,
Tanzania, and Zambia.
These
products can include both information and technical services, with a major
focus on financial services including payment systems, digitally-enabled
insurance, savings and lending.
Working
under the direct supervision of the Deputy Program Director and closely with
the Program Director, Country Managers, and Monitoring, Evaluation &
Learning Manager, the TPM will tailor program assistance to the needs of each
Agrifin Accelerate partner engagement with a strong focus on technology-based
partners.
The
TPM will identify innovative technology companies providing services in the SHF
arena and work to understand their models, incorporate them into program work
as feasible and to provide leading technology partners with specialized support
to foster their growth and expansion.
The
TPM will engage with partners to develop program strategies and partner
roadmaps, ensuring their specific needs are met; identify and support external
consultants as needed; and work with the Digital Farmer Capability Hub manager
to support the development of applicable capacity building plans across the
program partners.
Essential
Job Functions:
Program
Implementation:
- Lead
program learning in best practices and innovation in technology to ensure
that the full program team across all countries are informed and working
optimally.
- Support
the external learning and communications agendas around innovations for
partners and ecosystem players.
- Conduct
ongoing desk review of global best practice as well as ongoing learning
meetings with program stakeholders related to the use of technology,
working in coordination with country managers.
- Prepare
field reports, social media postings and blogs for mass communication
regarding the technological aspects of the program.
- Take
the lead in identifying potential partners in the technology arena,
working with strategic partner Dalberg to complete due diligence on
partners to identify institutional strengths, weaknesses and capacity for
program implementation and ultimate scale.
- Lead
in identifying technology partners to qualify for additional technical
support, including sponsored cohorts at relevant accelerator facilities,
designed to increase technology partner internal capacity, institutional
development and access to resources to support growth.
Support for Financial Products, Services and Channel
Development:
- Engage
in the development of all partner relationships and product roadmaps
related to technology.
- Provide
technical support to these engagements across all program countries,
liaising directly with the Deputy Program and Country directors.
- Lead
design sessions which drawing on rapid product iteration approaches and
support Country Managers to identify technical consultants as needed in
this area and provide support and oversight for consultants as required.
- Provide
direct capacity building for partners as feasible.
- Assist
in the development of technology partner business and work plans as
needed, reviewing research, operational manuals, product and technology
specifications and financial statements to do so.
- Work
with program partners to design interface of systems and design pilot
project to test usability, value proposition and business cases and
identify additional areas where partners require support, assisting in
finding solutions when possible.
- Engage
with program technology partners to ensure that adequate marketing
strategies and resources are in place, including go to market plan, market
entry & scaling, customer acquisition branding, incentive & commission
structures, advertising and risk mitigation strategies.
- Support
the initiative to identify alternative data sources to drive the
development and expansion of products and services, including conducting
research, identifying and selecting prospective data partners and framing
and implementing pilot tests of alternative data with partners maintaining
integrity and confidentiality of all information.
Technical Support for Market Assessments, Monitoring, Evaluation
and Learning:
- Work
with country managers to structure and implement market assessments to
drive meaningful financial product and service development, with a special
focus on incorporating supporting technologies and relevant companies such
as payment platforms, MNOs and messaging services.
- Ensure
that market assessments focus on the “pain points” of small holder farmers
related to technology adoption to guide product and service development to
overcome the barriers for the small holder farmers so they can increase
their access, usage and utility of services.
- Ensure
that research targets leading and alternative technology companies to
provide services to smallholder farmers.
- Support
the work of the Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager in all efforts to
develop capability building materials for SHF related to the delivery and
adoption of digitally-enabled financial services and channels, ensuring
the highest standards of technical information are incorporated.
Program Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:
- Serve
as a representative for the program in matters related to
technology-related services for SHF.
- Proactively
engage with program stakeholders to inform coordination and collaboration,
including payment platforms, specialized data processors, technology hubs,
accelerator programs, technical messaging platforms, mobile network
operators and others.
- Actively
support program planning and reporting efforts related to
technology-related service delivery for SHF.
- Provide
partnership recommendations with existing technology companies.
- Ensure
that programming works within Mercy Corps’ M4P rubric.
- Assist
the program in developing and supporting partner inception and subsequent
design workshops related to technology, supporting around mapping design
processes and defining roles, responsibilities and budgets related to
technology.
- Provide
technical leadership within the team in the technology sector, including
regular trips to the radial offices to support Country Managers and
Program Officers to build their capacity in the sector.
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 towards 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.
Supervisory
Responsibility:
Direct
supervision of: N/A
Reports
Directly To: Program
Director
Works
Directly With: Technical
teams, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager, Digital Farmer Capability
Lab Manager, Communications Manager, Finance staff.
Knowledge and Experience:
- BA/S
or equivalent in information technology, engineering or related field of
study preferred
- 5
years’ experience in relevant technology implementation, including 2 years
in a senior management position
- Minimum
2 years’ experience in digitally-enabled financial services
- Strong
understanding of the technology and mobile-for-development sectors in
emerging markets, with understanding of and experience with improving
technology-enabled services for smallholder farmers a plus
- Evaluating
and building partnerships
- Product
Management or Business Analyst experience
- Experience
with product and service design preferred
- Strong
written and oral communication skills in English, including report
development, writing and editing
- Experience
in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia preferred
Success Factors:
The
ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working
effectively within the three diverse countries which Agrifin Accelerate
operates.
S/he
will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous
situations.
S/he
will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and
stressful environments and follow procedures demonstrating cultural sensitivity
with diverse stakeholders.
S/he
will be a team-player with a positive attitude toward problem solving and
conflict resolution. Commitment to learning, open communications, impeccable
professional standards of ethics and ability to manage successful partner
relationships are essential.
The
successful candidate will be focused on team-building and open collaboration; be
a strategic thinker and maintain a sense of humor.
The
TPM must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and
project sites.
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.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae (CV) listing three professional referees (including a recent supervisor) to afa-hr@mercycorps.org on or before Friday 11th March by 4.00pm.
The
email subject line must clearly show the job title.
Applications
without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified.
Please
do not attach any certificates.
(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates)
NB: Mercy Corps AgriFin Accelerate Program does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process
