3-SO Pgm Staff/Officer

3-SO Pgm Staff/Officer Job Category:Programming Requisition Number:3SOPG007055 Apply now ## Posting Details - Posted: September 5, 2026 - Full-Time - On-site - ### Locations Showing 1 location Kismayo Kismayo, SO-KI, SOM Kismayo Kismayo, SO-KI, SOM +0 more locationsless locations ## Job Details ### Description BUSINESS DEVELOPMEnT OFFICER- RLP PROGRAM **Description** Position:BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – RLP PROGRAM Location:Kismayo(Afmadow corridor coverage areas in Somalia) Position StatusFull-time, Regular Salary Level:4E ### 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. Mercy Corps has been present in Somalia since 2005, with current programming in Somaliland, Puntland, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland, South-West State and Banadir. Our programming spans multiple sectors and is framed by a high-level strategy for advancing resilience and peace. Seeing ability in vulnerability, we work with and through local communities, including IDPs and returning refugees, to address immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while supporting and strengthening systems that facilitate collective advancement towards long-term and inclusive socio-economic growth, peace, and prosperity. Grounded in core resilience principles of systems thinking, partnership and facilitation, and adaptive management, Mercy Corps’ approach encourages crisis-affected populations, the private sector, government, and civil society to work together towards meaningful and lasting change. ### Program / Department Mercy Corps has a significant depth of experience throughout the Horn of Africa, including an operational presence in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Within the Horn of Africa, Mercy Corps’ strategic focus is on dryland communities and programming in these areas include governance, social cohesion, market systems development, climate change adaptation interventions, among others. Through our work across a diversity of program activities, Mercy Corps supports the establishment and cultivation of resilient livelihoods. In line with this regional focus, Mercy Corps is implementing the Regional Livestock Program (RLP). Implemented largely in the ASAL areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, RLP works to ensure pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the target trade corridors of Togwajale, Galkacyo and Afmadow have more climate resilient, inclusive and sustainable livelihoods. The Regional Livestock Program (RLP) seeks to strengthen climate-resilient, inclusive and sustainable livelihoods among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Within the Afmadow Corridor, the Program works closely with private sector actors, producer groups, market actors, financial service providers and local institutions to strengthen livestock market systems and create economic opportunities for vulnerable populations. General Position Summary RLP is seeking a dynamic and results-orientedBusiness Development Officerto support the growth and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating within the livestock value chain and related sectors for the Afmadow corridor. The successful candidate wandprivate sector experience and demonstrated expertise in enterprise development, business development services (BDS), financial literacy, market linkages and business growth. **The Business Development Officer will be responsible for supporting the growth, competitiveness and sustainability of businesses operating within the Afmadow Corridor. Working under the supervision of the Somalia RLP Program Manager, the officer will engage closely with small and micro enterprises, livestock traders, cooperatives, producer groups, service providers and other market actors to identify business growth opportunities, address enterprise performance constraints, and support livestock-based enterprises to improve profitability, expand market access, and deliver accessible and affordable service. The officer will provide practical business development support to enterprises through coaching, mentoring, financial literacy training, business planning support, market linkage facilitation and enterprise capacity strengthening. The position requires close engagement with private sector actors to improve business performance, increase profitability, strengthen market participation and promote private sector-led economic growth.** ### Essential Job Responsibilities ### Strategy and Market Facilitation - Support implementation of the Afmadow Corridor strategy in alignment with RLP objectives and priorities. - Contribute to the identification market opportunities, constraints, and private-sector-led solutions in livestock-related value chains. - Support assessment and analysis of market intelligence to inform Program interventions and adaptive management. - Work with technical advisors and Program teams to identify opportunities that strengthen market systems and enhance private sector participation. - Contribute to the designing and implement of strategies in the areas of inclusive markets, women's economic empowerment, and access to finance to benefit targeted participants. - Maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders to promote coordination and alignment around corridor-level development priorities. Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships - In close collaboration and coordination with the RLP manager/ team, contribute to the Identification of high-potential livestock and related enterprises to strengthen business performance, growth, system-wide changes, and sustainability. - Work closely with MSMEs, cooperatives, producer groups, traders, and service providers to identify market opportunities and business constraints. - Deliver business development services (BDS), coaching, and mentoring to improve enterprise management, productivity, and profitability, and facilitate financial literacy and business management training for small and micro enterprises. - Support enterprises to improve business planning, record-keeping, financial management, and investment readiness. - Facilitate business-to-business (B2B) linkages and strengthen commercial relationships among market actors within the livestock value chain. - Support coordination and collaboration among private sector actors, producer organizations, financial service providers, and relevant public institutions. - Promote access to market intelligence and share business and market insights to inform enterprise decision-making. - Identify opportunities for increased private sector investment and support partnerships that strengthen livestock market systems. - Support interventions that improve the availability and uptake of products and services for businesses operating within the corridor. - Conduct regular field visits, monitor enterprise performance, and document lessons learned, success stories, and results. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance - Support and facilitate the delivery of trainings for partners and MSMEs on risk management, financial literacy, operations, and business development. - Strengthen coordination with the RLP, complementing programs including the ‘IFSLS” that focus on digital financial services adoption (mobile/agent banking) in rural and underserved areas. - Closely work with the IFSLS Teams to engage partner banks/MFIs to design, pilot, and refine financial products tailored to MSMEs and livestock actors (e.g., working capital, asset finance, digital products). - Support the piloting, gathering of user feedback, and tracking of product KPIs for iterative improvement. Gender Equality, Diversity and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) - Work with the RLP Team as well as GEDSI teams to int