FOOD SYSTEMS SPECIALIST - ISLAMABAD

The role involves serving as an in-country technical and pre-positioning specialist on food systems for Mercy Corps Pakistan, supporting current and upcoming funding opportunities over a six-month period, with potential extension based on funding availability. Working closely with the Country Director and relevant teams at country, regional, and global levels, the incumbent will enhance Mercy Corps’ understanding and positioning in climate-resilient food systems in Pakistan. This position requires active engagement with local stakeholders, including donors, government counterparts, partners, and private sector actors, to gather insights, support proposal development, and represent Mercy Corps in strategic meetings. The focus is on leveraging in-person presence and Pakistan-specific technical expertise to add value beyond remote support.

Key Responsibilities

- Act as the technical focal point on food security issues, including food markets, stakeholder roles, policy, governance, innovations, and the water-food-climate nexus.
- Develop and maintain relationships with priority donors, government agencies, implementing partners, and private sector stakeholders.
- Gather and analyze information on donor priorities, government plans, partner positioning, and the competitive landscape.
- Represent or accompany the Country Director in relevant meetings and consultations.
- Prepare Mercy Corps representatives for external engagements through briefing notes, suggested questions, and tailored discussion guides.
- Conduct targeted stakeholder consultations and technical discussions to inform opportunity positioning and proposal design.
- Translate insights from engagements into actionable strategies for Mercy Corps’ positioning, partnerships, and technical approaches.
- Participate in donor briefings, sector meetings, and networking events to strengthen Mercy Corps’ presence.
- Support early-stage opportunity development by mapping stakeholders, identifying niches for Mercy Corps, and developing win themes and partnership strategies.
- Provide in-country support during proposal development, including conducting interviews, developing consultation tools, testing assumptions, and contributing Pakistan-specific technical analysis.
- Assist with partner engagement, due diligence, and consortium role clarification.
- Document meeting outcomes, commitments, and follow-up actions, ensuring timely communication with relevant teams.
- Deliver technical and contextual briefs, stakeholder maps, meeting notes, consultation plans, partner assessments, opportunity positioning notes, and technical inputs to proposals and strategies.

Required Qualifications

- Proven expertise in climate-resilient food systems, food security, or related technical fields within Pakistan.
- Strong understanding of food markets, policy frameworks, governance, and the water-food-climate nexus.
- Experience engaging with donors, government bodies, private sector, and implementing partners in Pakistan.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct stakeholder consultations, develop technical briefs, and support proposal development.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the organization in high-level meetings.
- Capacity to work collaboratively with multi-level teams and adapt to evolving funding priorities.
- Commitment to Mercy Corps’ values, including safeguarding principles and promoting dignity and well-being.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Prior experience working with international NGOs or development agencies in Pakistan.
- Familiarity with Mercy Corps’ operational context and funding mechanisms.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines.
- Opportunities for contract extension subject to funding availability.

This position requires a proactive, locally grounded technical specialist who can provide critical in-person insights and relationship-building to support Mercy Corps’ strategic growth in Pakistan’s food security sector.