Mercy Corps
Position (s) contingent on new funding
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program / Department / Team
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
Mercy Corps is currently seeking one or more qualified Senior Technical Advisors to support implementation of the anticipated, USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) in Ethiopia. HRA will support strengthened resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands through increased public and private investments. HRA will facilitate the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative by supporting 120,000 PSNP households to move above the graduation threshold to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and where they have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes and households. HRA will be a five-year program with an expected start date during late June 2022.
The Position
Senior Technical Advisors will provide HRA staff and partners with technical leadership and expertise in one or more of the following areas: market systems development, climate-resilient crop & livestock value chain development, income & livelihoods diversification, inclusive financial services , and resilience strengthening. The specific scope and technical nature of the role(s) will be determined upon release of the Activity solicitation. Senior Technical Advisors will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and management of the program’s technical strategy and specific activities in close collaboration with local, national, and international partners and stakeholders. Senior Technical Advisors may also manage technical teams and supervise staff.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM QUALITY – ACCESS TO FINANCE, CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE, MARKETS, AND RESILIENCE
- Provide technical leadership and direction to program staff, participants, and diverse partners, including government, civil society organizations, communities, and households.
- Ensure high-quality program design for relevant technical areas, develop client-centered and market-driven approaches to deliver measurable impact, and ensure technical and operational excellence in the execution of program activities and services.
- Take leadership in identifying, addressing, and adapting to program quality needs and gaps as they arise. Collaborate with the Chief of Party and other senior technical staff to problem solve.
- Supervise and/or review the work of technical consultants.
PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
- Oversee activities that are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan. Provide training and support for HRA staff and partners.
- Integrate locally-driven approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
- Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice for market development and resilience programming.
- Support effective integration of gender, youth, and social inclusion issues in all program initiatives; design and implement activities that actively address gender gaps and discriminatory practices.
LEARNING AND IMPACT
- Work with the HRA Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation aligns with program objectives, captures technical learning, and incorporates learning into program adjustments.
- Lead assessments and development of learning products, such as case studies and short articles. Contribute to dissemination of learning products among program stakeholders.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
- As needed, represent Mercy Corps at program, government, donor, NGO, or other relevant events, in close coordination with HRA leadership.
- Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Supervisory Responsibility
May be required to supervise teams of technical staff. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: HRA Chief of Party
Works Directly With: The HRA Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, implementing partners
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
- BA/BS or equivalent in relevant field; MA/MS preferred.
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, including proven technical expertise in one or more of the following programming areas: market systems development, climate-resilient crop & livestock value chain development, income & livelihoods diversification, inclusive financial services , and resilience strengthening.
- Proven experience in program design, execution, operations, team leadership, and performance measurement and management.
- Experience in Ethiopia preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including national and subnational government, donors, donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and civil society organizations.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements preferred.
Success Factors
Successful Senior Technical Advisors will combine deep technical skills and experience collaborating with and supporting a variety of partners from the public and private sectors. Must be flexible, creative, and enthusiastic about inclusive economic growth and resilience strengthening. Candidates must be self-starters who are able to manage competing priorities, learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. They will also have proven experience working with cross-cultural teams and partner capacity building. 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is an accompanied position and housing is available in family accommodation with good freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are several international schools in the city and staff have access to basic services (electricity, water, sporadic internet, etc). Medical facilities are basic with international clinics able to provide emergency services. This position requires up to 40% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.
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.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
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. 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.