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 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.
Market System Development Specialist
Duty Station: Bahirdar, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to the target Woredas
Program / Department Summary
The Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) is a fifteen-month program that aims to explore the feasibility and suitability of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector in Amhara region, Ethiopia. The program will conduct scoping assessments to identify the opportunities and challenges of privatizing water services, such as the capacity, information, and financial status of potential local actors, the governance and legal frameworks, and the performance and impacts of existing PPPs in the water sector. The program will also provide actionable recommendations to attract private-sector engagement and disseminate the research findings to various stakeholders at the local and national levels. The program hopes to create a model that can be replicated in other regions of the country. The program will be implemented in North Mecha, Dera, and Farta Woredas of the Amhara region.
General Position Summary
The Market Systems Development Specialist will lead the market system-related assessments and activities of the Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) program. Under the guidance of the PPP Expert, the Specialist will conduct and monitor the market assessment, validate the findings, facilitate partnerships, and design pilot activities. The Specialist will work with the project team to assess employment opportunities under various PPP models, especially for youth, and to leverage investment from both private and public sectors. The Specialist will also contribute analytical thinking and innovative approaches and support the integration of market-driven programming across Mercy Corps Ethiopia.
Essential Responsibilities
- Conduct a comprehensive market assessment of the water sector in Amhara region, using participatory and inclusive methods, such as stakeholder mapping, value chain analysis, market system analysis, and business model analysis.
- Identify and prioritize the key market constraints and opportunities for PPPs in the water sector, such as demand and supply gaps, enabling environment factors, access to finance, quality standards, customer preferences, etc.
- Validate the market assessment findings with relevant stakeholders, such as local service providers, local governments, financial institutions, water users associations, community members, etc.
- Facilitate partnerships between public and private actors in the water sector, using market facilitation techniques, such as brokering, coaching, mentoring, co-investing, etc.
- Design pilot activities to test and demonstrate the feasibility and suitability of different PPP models for the water sector, such as management contracts, lease contracts, concession contracts, etc.
- Monitor and evaluate the pilot activities using appropriate indicators and tools, such as output tracking tables, outcome harvesting sheets, feedback surveys, etc.
- Provide recommendations for scaling up or replicating successful PPP models in other regions or contexts.
- Disseminate the research findings and recommendations to various stakeholders at the local and national levels, using effective communication channels and formats, such as reports, presentations, workshops, webinars, etc.
- Advocate for the adoption of best practices and policies for PPPs in the water sector among relevant decision-makers and influencers.
- Coordinate and collaborate with Mercy Corps staff, partners, consultants, and other relevant actors to ensure the quality and timeliness of the research activities and outputs.
- Support the integration of market-driven programming across Mercy Corps Ethiopia by sharing learning and experience from the RISE program.
- Contribute analytical thinking and innovative approaches to address complex market system challenges in the water sector.
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion
- Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
- Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- 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 professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Influence and Representation
- 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.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.
Organizational Learning
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.
Job Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
- Educational background – Degree in water engineering, economics, business, marketing, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
- Technical knowledge – Demonstrated experience with similar development programs focused on the research of market systems development, including improving water services, with experience in Ethiopia.
- Understanding and experience in a cultural context – Demonstrated working experience in the Amhara region, preferably in leading market-based WASH programs implementation or research activities
- Language skills – Fluent English and Amharic are essential.
- Facilitation skills – Creating and maintaining a conducive and participatory environment for the group process, using appropriate methods and tools to engage the participants, encourage dialogue, and foster collaboration. Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Ethiopia. He/she will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/she will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. He/she will have a good understanding of the roles that different data technologies play in high-quality MEL and how different datasets should be leveraged to provide information specifically needed for decision-making in different Ethiopian contexts. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of national staff, be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs, and maintain a sense of humor.
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.
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.
Living conditions / environmental conditions
The position is based in the Dollo Ado Field office, and it requires up to 60% travel to the target woredas. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM
Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:
Position Title: Agronomist
Duty Station: Dollo Ado, Somali Region
Open Position: 1
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is implementing Climate-Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought-Prone Lowland Areas project, the objective of this project is to enhance the livelihood, resilience, and food security of vulnerable communities, strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities, ecosystems, and systems, to reduce aid dependency by enabling program participants to become more self-reliant; and to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of this integrated approach to bring it to scale. this project funded by World Food Program (WFP), with duration of one year in the inception period.
Mercy Corps is seeking candidates an agronomist to investigate and implement solutions for our beneficiaries in the food production and farming. In this role is expected to examine, research, and solve problems related to crop management, output, and quality, and also develop tailored agronomic approaches and oversee interventions on behalf of the Mercy Corps.
To be a successful agronomist candidate, you should be focused on developing and promoting better farming practices. A top-notch agronomist should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and analytical with excellent listening, communication, and problem-solving skills.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Developing better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improving crop yield, and solving problems for beneficiaries.
- Researching and promoting agricultural strategies to counter the effects of changes in soil, climate, weather, and pest damage.
- Visiting fields to support farmers on seed, plant, water, and soil.
- Testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other changes.
- Assisting with the plant sourcing, testing, and selection.
- Keeping detailed records regarding fields and crops.
- Generating reports and presenting findings to management or other interested parties.
- Conducting training on products and techniques through educational presentations.
- Managing teams to support beneficiaries on their demands regarding crop production.
- Developing seasonal planting and irrigation schedules.
- Work closely with the program team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ gender policies, Do No Harm principles and beneficiary accountability standards;
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
- Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
- 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.
SECURITY
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
- 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.
Job Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agriculture, or a related field.
- Further education and experience may be preferred.
- Additional certifications may be required.
- Ability to work and travel in the field.
- Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office.
- Exceptional active listening and verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong research, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Fluent in English and Somali languages
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.
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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM
Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:
IRRIGATION ENGINEER
Open Position: 1
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is implementing Climate-Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought-Prone Lowland Areas project (IFTIIN), the objective of this project is to enhance the livelihood, resilience, and food security of vulnerable communities, strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities, ecosystems, and systems, to reduce aid dependency by enabling program participants to become more self-reliant; and to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of this integrated approach to bring it to scale. this project funded by World Food Program (WFP), with duration of one year in the inception period and three more years implementation period, this project will be targeting 50,000 communities from Dollo ado and Dollo bay woredas of Somali region of Ethiopia.
General Position Summary
The Irrigation Engineer is responsible for providing technical oversight to all irrigation, agriculture and land use-related activities. These activities should be in line with government land use policies, Mercy Corps strategic plan, and agriculture strategies.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
- Advise on the technical/socio-technical diagnosis of irrigated agriculture production technologies and systems, and the design of appropriate irrigation and agronomic interventions.
- Develop a coordinated approach for the utilization of surface water and groundwater resources for climate smart irrigation in a sustainable manner.
- Independently design and conduct field level monitoring for construction supervision and overall contract administration.
- Identify and proposes technical process improvements to the project team.
- Advise on technical and social aspects of agricultural production activities in the program to promote rural rehabilitation and secure the livelihoods of farmers and villagers with improved irrigation technologies and practices.
- Lead capacity building of partners on irrigated agriculture
- Develop, together with the community, site improvement plans for water and small-scale irrigation schemes (including local agreements on maintenance and water access)
- Oversee and ensure the necessary technical knowledge is provided to recipients
- In conjunction with the other Irrigation and Agriculture Advisors in the sector, be responsible for offering extension services to farmers to help improvement of food access and livelihoods with a more diversified income sources and capital assets.
- Review training materials and courses designed by the Community Mobilization training team for farmers in the field of orchard production, nursery management and drought mitigation. Ensure technical aspects of the training programs are sound and appropriate to the target populations. When the security situation allows it, perform training sessions in the field and provide TOT to Community Mobilizers and Agriculture Officers in coordination with the Program Manager.
- Excellent communication skills with a variety of people from household communities, extension workers and private businesses to government representatives and academics; and
- Liaise closely with project team, government stakeholders and WFP team in strategizing developing production and marketing techniques for this program. Review work plans and methodology for maximum impact and effectiveness in consideration of growing conditions of the south, market, prices, and availability of specific crops.
- Liaise closely with the Horticulture Manager to ensure best practice in nurseries and sapling distribution activities. Review and advise on strategies in regards to cash values of fruit trees and growing conditions.
- Conduct and track a routine, market survey in the south to better define marketing strategies of vegetables and fruits. Document and file surveys for easy access.
- Produce narrative reports including spreadsheets reflecting asset distributions, geographic area, number of beneficiaries and any other information relevant to the programme in reporting formats provided by Team Leaders.
- Assist the ministerial and provincial authorities in developing the teaching curricula of the Agricultural school.
- Coordinate with others in issues related to office administration, finance, staff performance, and activity planning in order to achieve programme targets.
- Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
Organizational Learning
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.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- 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.
Supervisory Responsibility
Work closely with project officers and community facilitators
Accountability
Reports Directly To: IFTIIN Team Leader
Works Directly With: Agri-livestock coordinator, other different sectors of IFTIIN project, operations, finance in Dollo Field office
Job Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
- BSc degree in Civil Engineering/Irrigation Engineering/Hydraulic or Water Resource Engineering with min. 6 years’ experience in water and irrigation project management
- At least 5 years of experience focused in comprehensive design and management of irrigation systems and technologies.
- Proven knowledge and experience in undertaking activities aimed at water and irrigation facility construction, rehabilitation, and upgrading project implementation
- Experience in project management related to agriculture is essential and in particular knowledge of planting, grafting and harvesting orchards and fruit trees, irrigation systems, nut production, types of seeds, and fertilizers.
- Ability to translate technical expertise into simple messages that can be communicates to medium- and small-size land owners and small farmers.
- Training skills are a strong asset.
Experience in applying geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing tools, methods and datasets for mapping watershed development and climate-related impacts on agricultural water productivity.
Success Factors
Define the specific behavior and attitudes critical to success in the position at time of hire and as it develops over time in paragraph form (soft skills).
Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion
- Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
- Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specificallyto 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 professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Influence and Representation
- 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.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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.
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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position holder will be based at Dollo ado, Somali Region, Ethiopia, and will require frequent travel to Dollo ado and Dollo Bay woredas.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM
Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:
MEL Manager
Duty Station: Dollo Ado, Somali Region
Open Position: 1
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is implementing a Climate-Proofing Food Security in Ethiopia’s Drought-Prone Lowland Areas (IFTIIN), a project to improve the livelihood, resilience, and food security of vulnerable communities in Dollo Ado and Dollo Bay woredas of the Somali region of Ethiopia. The project is funded by WFP and will run from 2023 to 2026 with a budget of $10.6 million. The project will help the communities to adapt to climate change and become more self-reliant. The first year is the inception period and the next three years are the implementation period. The project targeted 50,000 individuals and will work with the regional and woreda-level bureaus of Agriculture, Cooperatives, Livestock, and the communities themselves.
General Position Summary
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager is a key position at Mercy Corps, responsible for program information management, monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring collected information is used to improve the IFTIIN Project. The general duties and responsibilities of the MEL Manager are to provide oversight of project-level MEL activities within the Program, ensure the quality of the project’s MEL activities, and information management via the program reporting system (which may be tied with Mercy Corps’ proprietary Tola systems), and geographic information systems (GIS). The MEL Manager’s role is also to oversee and ensure coordination of the various technical areas across the MEL staff of the Project, and other relevant Project staff and components. The MEL Manager is responsible for the capacity building and mentoring strategy for program staff on themes related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, reporting, and learning.
Strategy & Design
- Set up and strengthen the MEL system of the project, including all tools and data collection processes for program activities such as Tola, Concept Note Management System, commcare, powerBI, etc.
- Provide strategic leadership to the MEL specialist and IFTIIN program team in developing program-level MEL plan and strategies that promote learning, and improve program quality and performance,
- Contribute to the implementation of the strategic MEL plan and detailed implementation plan for the IFTIIN project, with an emphasis on user-centered approaches for engaging with and building buy-in among key program stakeholders.
- Provide strategic leadership on activities for building data literacy skills important for interpreting and acting on intervention and overall program-level data.
- Contributing to the development of decision support tools and analytical products to integrate evidence into program design, monitoring, evaluation, and management.
- Collaborate with technical leads across the program and build processes for regular feedback loops to ensure integrated program delivery and adaptive management.
Technical Support
- Implement MEL systems with utility and program quality in mind, providing program team real-time information that can steer program implementation as well as informing regional level stakeholders and strategic program direction and that helps strategize future program interventions.
- Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent M&E system, including training on TolaData (a digital tool developed by MC) and CommCare and the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data to disseminate learning.
- Plan inclusive of IPTT with indicators, pivot log, measurement details, and annual targets.
- Update indicator performance tracking in Mercy Corps’ TolaData platform and submit quarterly indicator data to the donor.
- Facilitating learning events and bilateral sessions with key program stakeholders using evidence to draw insights on and estimate individual contributions to collective resilience outcomes.
- Manage the Learning and Research Plan to track and document evidence around critical learning questions and coordinate learning activities toward answering them.
- Support with quality documentation through comprehensive quality writing, and synthesizing evidence to generate knowledge and learning product
Team Management
- Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles, and assist with career development.
- Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one one-on-ones and performance reviews.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Play an active role in hiring, orienting, and leading team members, as necessary.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- 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 professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.
Supervisory Responsibility: IFTIIN Program MEL Specialist
Accountability
Reports Directly To: IFTIIN Program Manager
Technical reporting: Country MEL Manager
Works Directly with the FIN program team, PaQ director, Data Analytics Manager, Country CARM advisor, Technical Sector Advisors, and other support functions (Operations and Finance), Regional MEL Advisor, HQ PaQ.
Job Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
- BA or master’s degree or equivalent in economics, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, project management, or other relevant field required.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in the areas of program development and monitoring and evaluation in development and/or emergency contexts, including relevant advisory/leadership experience building and managing an M&E system and team, supervising data collection and data validation exercises, and building staff capacity.
- Experience working with quantitative data analysis software like SPSS/STATA/R/Python and qualitative software like MaxQDA or equivalent preferred.
- Experience in developing logical frameworks and proposals.
- Must have extensive training skills and experience working with a variety of donors, such as UN/WFP etc.
- Ability to manage and meet deadlines, work independently, and innovate.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Ethiopia. He/she will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/she will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. He/she will have a good understanding of the roles that different data technologies play in high-quality MEL and how different datasets should be leveraged to provide information specifically needed for decision-making in different Ethiopian contexts. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of national staff, be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs, and maintain a sense of humor.
Influence and Representation
- 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.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position holder will be based at Dollo ado, Somali Region, Ethiopia, and will require frequent travel to Dollo ado and Dollo Bay woredas.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM
Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:
NRM and Climate Services Coordinator
Duty Station: Dollo Ado, Somali Region
Open Position: 1
Program / Department Summary
Climate proofing food security in Ethiopia’s Drought-Prone Lowland Areas project (IFTIIN) the objective of this project is to enhance the livelihood, resilience, and food security of vulnerable communities, strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities, ecosystems, and systems, to reduce aid dependency by enabling program participants to become more self-reliant; and to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of this integrated approach to bring it to scale. this project funded by World Food Program (WFP), with duration of one year in the inception period.
General Position Summary
NRM and Climate Services coordinator is required to manage the climate risk solution of the program in promoting participatory NRM, early warning and disaster risk management. This position requires someone who understands the role of culture and local communities in managing climate-based information and has deep experience in facilitating participatory early warning committees to develop plans to strengthen the community’s resilience against drought.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
- Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Program Management
- Conduct initial assessments to climate vulnerability, livelihood sensitivity and community capacity analysis with special emphasis on resources on traditional disaster risk management and decision-making structures.
- Identify existing capacities at local and regional government, scrutinize the DRM policy and seek better approach to leverage for streamlining better mechanisms to improve early warning system of the public.
- Advocate better disaster risk management and expose tested models to the local and regional government to take up and use in their planning system.
- Built the capacity of the public sector key actors through training and technical support, create different platforms to work with the project and gradually transform the public system.
- Develop deep understanding of the natural resource management (NRM) approaches and livelihood framework in particular focus on importance of utilizing communal structures for better climate adaptation.
- Support identification and systematic inclusion of key NRM governance stakeholders at local and regional level in all relevant activities and processes.
- Develop and implement strategy for community-led disaster risk management by integrating the traditional forecast system with that of the science-based information for the community to able to anticipate and prepare for risks.
- Support the identification and systematic inclusion of key Climate change adaptation options at local and regional level in all relevant activities and processes.
- Provide support to livestock production and insurance activities in environmentally sustainable practices.
- Contribute to the strengthening of knowledge management in DRM by: attending partnership meetings; providing technical advice on project issues; monitoring the achievement of project milestones
- Integrate community based NRM approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building of vulnerable groups into all activities as appropriate.
- Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
- Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and
Capacity-building
- Provide training and on-site technical guidance to implementation of small scale irrigation systems, soil and water conservation, water harvesting, rangeland rehabilitation and conservation, and other land restoration activities, including for DAs, NR committees, community members, government partners and other program staff as applicable.
- Organize and provide technical programmatic inputs and training to field team, government partners and community partners on natural resource and disaster risk management planning and implementation techniques.
- Organize and facilitate trainings, consultative workshops and field based institutional capacity building activities around multi-community NR/CCA activities that result from community-based agreements.
Influence & Representation
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with community leaders, partners, local governments and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and programmatic obligations are met.
Organizational Learning
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.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
- 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.
Supervisory Responsibility
Describe the staff member’s responsibility for directing the work of others, please list these staff member’s position titles.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Team Leader
Works Directly With: Project coordinator, officers and community facilitators
Job Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Natural Resource Management, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Engineering or other related field
- Desirably: master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Climatology, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or Natural Resource Management, Environmental Engineering or other related field
- A minimum of five years of experience in relevant sectors like DRR, NRM, Livelihood, EW,etc
- Experience in conducting CVCA and ion of
- Analytical skill and good research background
- Fluency both in English and Somali is required
Success Factors
The successful candidate will possess excellent leadership skills, with the ability to maintain a broad perspective. He/she will undertake innovative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas, and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning. The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Ethiopia. He/She will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of team-members; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position holder will be based at Dollo ado, Somali Region, Ethiopia, and will require frequent travel to Dollo ado and Dollo Bay woredas.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.
How to Apply
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.
Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.
“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empower women and youth.”
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM
Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:
