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, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states - Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara - and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible.  Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

 Position Title: Senior Program Officer-Enter Energy

 Location: Jijiga

 Number of Positions: One

 Mercy Corps and market systems development in refugee contexts

 Mercy Corps is committed to supporting the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to address the challenge posed by the large number of refugees in the country. Ethiopia has the second largest refugee population in Africa, second only to Uganda. The scale of the refugee numbers, and the long-term nature of the challenge, requires new thinking and innovative solutions. This has been recognized by the GoE through its support for the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and the approval of the Revised Refugee Proclamation in January 2019. The Refugee Proclamation includes ‘Nine Pledges’ that ultimately aim to create productive and self-reliant citizens among refugees and host communities. To-date, donor and NGO support has focused on delivering crucial life-saving assistance and essential services for refugees in Ethiopia, but there has been little focus on stimulating sustainable economic opportunities for refugees and host communities to find ‘durable solutions’.

Powering infrastructure in relief settings, where clinics, offices, communications towers, water pumping stations and other necessary services are commonly fueled by diesel generators, represents a substantial economic burden for humanitarian agencies & for the businesses and households located in refugee settlements and host communities. The expansion of off-grid electricity services above household scale in humanitarian settings is limited by a lack of reliable ‘anchor’ customers upon which bankable business models can be based. The application of renewable energy in the humanitarian sector is hampered by the initial higher upfront cost of solar and other renewable installations compared with diesel generators, and the perception that any investments must be short-term due to the outdated nature of humanitarian response funding cycles.

Mercy Corps has conducted a baseline study on energy access in Jijiga, Somali Region, which has resulted in the development of a scalable, replicable model for integrated renewable electrification that would improve operational sustainability for humanitarian organizations while enabling better service delivery for people living in refugee settlements and host communities. Mercy Corps will undertake this effort in collaboration with private sector actors to ensure sustainability of the business model proposed and with the aim to reach scale for access to energy in displacement settings for all segments of the population.

To support the sustainability of the model, the energy access programming will include a market angle. Globally, Mercy Corps is a leading practitioner of market systems development (MSD) approaches to poverty reduction, with particular expertise in implementing MSD programs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

 General Position Summary

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified Senior Program Officer (SPO) to support the implementation of the Inception phase of the Enter Energy project including leading the field activities of the project. In addition, the SPO will be involved in the identification of opportunities, development of concept notes, partner management and research and learning activities. The goal of the inception phase is to develop a scalable model for deploying energy interventions in the Jijiga refugee camps. This is an exciting opportunity to combine innovative energy & MSD programming, and a unique opportunity to become a leading expert in applying sustainable energy access approaches to refugee contexts.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and vision

●     Work closely with the Program Manager to develop a contextualized vision and strategy for the design and implementation of the Enter Energy project.  

●     Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome;

Program management

●     Lead field-level activities including assessments and analysis across all target locations (including needs, markets and conflict), drawing on external technical expertise as needed;

●     Design and implement outreach programs to relevant stakeholders including local representatives and community members.

●     Contribute to the design of the implementation phase of Enter Energy, working closely with key program stakeholders and bringing on-board key local insights critical to the success of the project.

●     Work with the program manager to ensure close relationships with key government partners, at all levels;

●     Lead field-level mobilization of participants for key program activities including the required logistics for these activities.

●     Monitor work and targets closely to ensure that programs are able to provide maximum benefit to our beneficiaries within program timeframes;

●     Support writing/review of concept notes and proposals;

●     Work closely with team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ gender policies, Do No Harm principles and beneficiary accountability standards;

●     Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities;

●     Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Finance and Operations Management

●     Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations related to programming and operations.

●     Ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the programs are conducted within Mercy Corps policy;

●     Exercise sound judgment to ensure projects’ expenses are reasonable, allocable and prudent. Ensure all projects’ funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations;

●     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.

●     Strictly follow Mercy Corps’ Fraud and Prevention guidelines.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Prepare and submit timely weekly, monthly reports and work plans that will be indicative of program progress during implementation. Respond to queries if and when necessary.
• Maintain proper filing system of all activities.
• In coordination with program team and partners, plan, implement and monitor activities according to work plan.
• Have a keen eye for identifying interesting opportunities for scaling up in the field and develop concept notes on these opportunities.
• Working with program team and partners, contribute the research and learning agenda activities of the program.

policy, advocacy, Representation

• Establish and maintain good coordination and working relationships with sub-county leaders, representing Mercy Corps and soliciting participation in activities where appropriate and as directed.
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government, NGOs and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager.
• Ensure cordial working relationship with program implementing partners and the private sector partners that the program will be working with.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps Ethiopia and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission

Knowledge and Experience

●     Bachelor degree in business management, development, economic development, or a closely related field is required.

●     At least five years of experience designing, implementing and managing similar initiatives (private sector partnership, economic strengthening, and market systems development) is necessary.

●     Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is required.

●     Experience in working in refugee settlements especially in the Somali Region is preferred.

●     Experience in market development for off-grid energy systems is an advantage.

●     Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English are required.

●     Strong leadership and proven team building experience is necessary.

●    Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

●    Strong computer literacy with a full knowledge of office applications.

●    Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.

●     Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required;

●     Fluency in English is required.

 Success Factors

 The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of the Somali Region. S/he will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and able to work difficult and often stressful environments. S/he will be committed to the work of Mercy Corps and the objectives of this program. They will demonstrate their dedication with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and creative problem solving. The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Ethiopia.