Position is contingent on new funding approval

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. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

Position Title:  Deputy Chief of Party/Livelihood Lead

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia    

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps anticipates applying as a part of a consortium for funding for a five-year USAID Food for Peace (FFP) Activity to support food security in Amhara Region. The program will contribute to the goal of improved food security of vulnerable households in targeted PSNP communities in Amhara Region contributing to a sustained reduction in rural poverty. Mercy Corps seeks a Deputy Chief of Party for Livelihoods (DCOP/Livelihoods) for this expected program.

General Position Summary

The DCOP/Livelihoods will be experienced in a broad spectrum of technical focus areas with responsibility for overseeing program implementation. Particularly the DCOP/Livelihood will be responsible to the overall livelihood component that build economic resilience of target community and foster gradation among PSNP participants.

The DCOP will work closely with different departments and support functions to ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability. The DCOP will also work directly with partner agencies both national and international to achieve objectives of the program. S/he will also make sure technical interventions are well coordinated across the implementation area.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Technical

Program Management and Implementation

·         Provide overall technical guidance and leadership, mentoring, quality control and coordination to strengthen program outcomes.

·         Lead the overall livelihood component of the program that build economic resilience and foster gradation among PSNP participants. 

·         Support the Chief of Party in the establishment of a program structure that favors integration between all sectors.

·         Ensure that cross-cutting themes such as adaptive management, gender and youth, resilience, sustainability and social cohesion are fully included within the program strategy.

·         Monitor adherence to the award agreement, ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and Ethiopian policies/priorities, and is consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, value and quality standards.

·         In coordination with the country Monitoring and Evaluation department and the project MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.

·         Introduce the program to Government of Ethiopian stakeholders, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required.

·         Work with partnership team to provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantees.

·         Document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated.

·         Produce written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities. 

·         Create and follow effective stakeholder management plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Mali, partner organizations, Mercy Corps headquarters, USAID, Government of Mali authorities, and colleague agencies.

·         Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites – spend up to 50% of time in the field.

Team Management

·         Oversee program implementation team, ensuring that all staff are following workplans, activities are on schedule, and project deliverables are completed as planned.

·         Develop and oversee implementation of capacity building strategy for team members that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data and lessons learned.

·         Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

·         In close partnership with the Mercy Corps Director of Programs and COP, create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.

Internal and External Coordination

·         Represent Mercy Corps in forums with the broader humanitarian and development community.

·         Active contributor and collaborator with regional and global counterparts to promote best practices.

·         Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other organizations in Mali.

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 Program participants

·         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.

Knowledge and Experience

·         MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, economics, food security, nutrition, public health, social sciences, or other relevant field.

·         At least eight years of relevant experience in positions of progressively greater responsibility in programming in a developing country context.

·         Demonstrated experience developing and ensuring program performance for technically rigorous food security and resilience programs.

·         Experience providing leadership, supervising staff, managing multiple complex program components, and convening people across technical teams to build consensus and achieve an outcome.

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Proficiency in local languages is desirable.

·         Preference for experience with USAID-funded programs.

·         Experience in Ethiopia or other sub-Saharan African countries strongly preferred

·         Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about improving food and nutrition security. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team 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.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised.  All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office include a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts.  In order to ensure fairness to all applicants personal inquiries are not permitted.