This position is Contingent

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. Mercy Corps has humanitarian and development operations in Addis Ababa, Somali, Afar, Oromiya, SNNPR and Gambella regions. 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: Livelihood Officer

 Duty Station: Konso and Gode

 Open Position: 2

 Program / Department Summary

The project is intended to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with under nutrition and increased illnesses of conflict induced communities and who do not have access to primary health care services, basic nutrition, WASH and Livelihoods.

General Position Summary

·       The Livelihood Officer is responsible to implement the day-to-day Livelihood activities and providing technical support for Agricultural Extension Workers and Agricultural DA and closely work with field team, support staffs and head office staffs accordingly.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

·       Collaborate with other team member for effective integration between other services like Livelihoods, WASH, Nutrition, and health services.

·       Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.

·       Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt the changing situation and context

 Program Management

·       Participate actively in the identification of relevant crop and livestock market system actors (seed/input suppliers, wholesalers, Cooperatives, Union, Producers) and governance frameworks (formal and Informal); and all support markets and functions

·       Prepare plan of action for effective Livelihood activity implementation in consultation with project coordinator and Livelihoods and Cash Advisor,

·       Participate in planning, implementation and monitoring of seed voucher and agricultural extension services/crop production training activities

·       Participate actively in the household targeting for the seed and agricultural tools vouchers and agricultural extension service/crop production training intervention activities as assigned by supervisors.

·       Serve as a liaison with the private Agricultural input suppliers, cooperatives, Unions, and traders actively involved in the implementation of seeds and agricultural tools Vouchers activities, monitor their performance, and identify and report on eventual irregularities in the implementation.

·       Contribute actively in developing of key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones and plans in close collaboration with supervisor and M&E team, and solely responsible for monitoring and reporting all output, outcome and impact indicators for the seeds and agricultural tools voucher and agricultural extension service/crop production training delivery activities;

·       Ensures the program captures and responds to up-to-date information about market developments within respective market systems and global best practices for market systems strengthening.

·       Ensure that all activities are implemented according to the agreed technical specifications and quality, the agreed time schedule, and within the limit of the planned budget

·       Conducts her/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

·       Ensure that gender and protection issues, including the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, are properly addressed during the process of the project planning and implementation

·       Other duties as assigned.

 Team Management

·       Ensure Agricultural Development workers and AEWs follow and respect the national protocols

·       Providing technical support for MC IYCF and zonal/ woreda government agricultural staffs on management of seed (vegetable, cereals) growth and development as to improve HHs level food insecurity.

·       Inform the project coordinators/Livelihood advisor for any professional problems encountered

·       Provided formal and on job training for DAs and AEWs and supportive MC Livestock workers.

 Finance & Compliance Management

N/A

Influence & Representation

·       Liaise with concerned government authorities and ensure the programme strategy, objectives and activities are understood, agreed and appropriate communication channel is in place

·       Participating in the Zonal/ Regional agricultural Technical Working Group meetings, develop meeting agendas, documentation and dissemination of the technical working group meetings action point and recommendations.

·       Liaise and coordinate with local stakeholders and MoA personnel regularly, reporting to them and giving them updates on activities.

·       Collaborate with the potential partners on the field (woreda Agricultural, DAs, committee leaders) to improve the coverage and the efficiency of the programs.

·       Collaborate with partners where possible (e.g., FAO in Livelihoods/Nutrition assessments in the area that may have an impact on our programs).

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

• Degree in Plant Science, Dryland crop production, Agricultural Extension, Agronomy, and other related field
• Solid technical Skills in coordination and organization of institutional and community-based seed and agricultural tools supply through vouchers and delivery of agronomic trainings 
•  Knowledge and practical experience of implementation of voucher Based agricultural inputs supply
•  Excellent spoken and written English languages; and knowledge of Afaan Oromo is Must.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to villages and willingness to reside in rural areas
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in closely working with regional and Woreda level Office of Agriculture
•  Previous experience working in NGOs is an asset
• Ability to prepare program and activity reports
• Communication skill, good human relations
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality
•  Familiarity of working in pastoral areas of Oromia regional state
• Highly organized, pro-active decision-making ability with proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.

 Success Factors

• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in closely working with regional, Zonal and Woreda Agricultural Offices
• Ability to prepare program reports Knowledge in local language.
• Communication skill, good human relations
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications submitted to the Mercy Corps office or electronically 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.

 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: 19 December 2021/ 4:00 PM

 Please send non-returnable applications and credentials to one of the following address:    et-recruitment@mercycorps.org

Note: Please make sure that you mention the position title in the subject line of your email application.

 OR: Mercy Corps Recruiter Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319 Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33 , Jijiga: P.O. Box 225   Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116 Dire Dawa: P.O. Box 974 Gambella Office in person