Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, the 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 on promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improving natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.
Mercy Corps is currently seeking a qualified Market Systems for Employment Team Lead to support the implementation of the USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA). HRA is contributing to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands (Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Central, Southern and Sidama regions), resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and 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 while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that commenced in October 2023.
Mercy Corps External Vacancy Announcement
Job Position – Market Systems For Employement Team LEAD – highland Resilience Activity
Required Qualification and Experience
Education: Degree in Business Management, Marketing, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Economics or related field (master’s degree preferred)
Experience: 5+ years of experience of increasingly proficient management and/or technical support in MSD programming, with at least one job experience in a globally well-reputed MSD project.
Proven experience assessing markets and working with private sector partners
Employment programming experience preferred
Strong ability to understand and manage multiple stakeholders and complex relationships at multiple levels of the organization.
Willingness and ability to travel / knowledge of context (as needed)
A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership.
Fluency in English is required, with strong written and oral communication skills.
Fluency in local languages preferred demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including national and subnational government, donors, donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and civil society organization familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements preferred
Salary Level: (Refer to Country Salary Guidelines)
Current Team Member: N/A
Safeguarding Risk Level: Level 1
Position Status: Full-time
Location: Addis Ababa
Deadline: September 27/24
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM QUALITY – Off-farm Non-agricultural, wage and employment
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 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 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.
Explore ways to increase women’s, girls, and boys’ participation in all aspects of Off-farm non-agricultural and wage and employment sectors
Proactively pursue partnerships with private sector and civil society actors to increase opportunities in Off farm non-agricultural sectors and the wage and employment sectors ensuring emergence of new entrants and catalyzing significant opportunities in the wage and employment sector especially in rural markets that benefit PSNP participants. Support increased private sector investment in target areas.
Work in close collaboration with the Livelihood Specialist to expand rural livelihoods opportunities through market expansion and introduction of new private-sector driven income opportunities in the off-farm non-agricultural sectors and the wage and employment opportunities.
Provide training and support for HRA staff and partners on market systems for employment
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.
Engage with relevant government agencies to improve rules, regulations, and infrastructure to support improved rural market systems.
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 market and labor/wage market assessments and other assessments and surveys that may be deemed fit and develop 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.
Work in close collaboration with the global employment team to spread learning across programs and countries.
Application Link: https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/MER1024MERCY/JobBoard/7de55979-49d4-4f59-b61b-9c7d0e38d500/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=b80dc8eb-193c-4906-9bbf-d3601e45089d
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