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 is an International Humanitarian organization operating Water and Sanitation, Economic Development, Livelihoods, Capacity Building, Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition, and similar sectors in the regions of SNNPR, Somali, Oromia, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Mercy Corps works with communities, public and private sectors to implement appropriate relief, recovery and development interventions. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.
Mercy Corps plans to engage in a DFID-funded, 3.5-year programme, Strengthening Host and Refugee Population Economies (SHARPE), whose main objective is to “increase sustainably the net economic returns to refugees and hosts communities through both increased gains and decreased losses.” The programme will use an M4P approach, focusing on six market systems in three focal regions/hubs (Gambella and Somali Region, Jigjiga and Dollo Ado) to improve the livelihoods of 200,000 beneficiaries. The programme begins with a 6-month Inception Phase during which diagnostic reports will be developed, a management results framework developed and interventions piloted. Activities should focus on market systems development and be facilitative, adaptive and innovative to reach the beneficiaries in an equitable manner that promotes cooperation between refugees and host communities.
· Recognize opportunities for innovative action and work with the Management Team to develop an implementation plan that capitalizes on market opportunities in the abovementioned areas
· Align all activities and action with broader objective of the SHARPE program and with Mercy Corps’ mission, vision and values
· Support the Management Team in conducting in-depth market assessments related to refugees and host communities in Gambella, Jigjiga and Dollo Ado in wood, livestock, crops, fish, labour and aid sectors
· Apply a critical Markets For Poor perspective to all analyses of market systems functions and assessment of key challenges to inclusiveness, productivity and efficiency
· Design strategies for improving market system performance in amongst refugee and host community populations, including making business strategies more inclusive and beneficial to enterprise productivity
· Once Inception Phase is approved, implement market-systems activities according to established systems and workplans while adhering to adaptive management principles
· Ensure that program development and implementation are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
· Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
· Develop partners’ MoUs, contracts, partnership frameworks as required for implementation
· Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
· Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
· Adhere to systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
· Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
· Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
· Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations
· Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
· Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
· Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
· Proactively seek to operate in a secure environment and remain aware of policies.
· 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.
· 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.
· Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
· Minimum five years’ mid to senior-level field leadership experience;
· Deep understanding and mastery of Markets4Poor approach and Economic & Markets Development facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovating.
· Demonstrated success in M4P programs related to market systems strengthening, financial inclusion, private sector development, marketing and value chain programming;
· Experience working in an analytical capacity; ability to understand local markets and identify bottlenecks to suggest improvements to programme design
· Experience in one or more of the SHARPE target sectors ((esp. wood, livestock, crops, fish, labour and aid) an advantage.
· Experience in working in sectors like livelihoods, rural development, private sector development an advantage.
· Willingness to work in Jijiga, Dollo Ado or Gambella
· Proficient in Somali and Amharic
· Previous experience working in refugees camps is desirable
· Experience working in or with the private sector is desirable