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: Livestock Input 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

Mercy Corps Livestock and Input Officer will be based in Kons/Gode woredas and is responsible to support the effort in improving the livelihood options and participations for both the host and IDP community with better economic integration among themselves.

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 livestock market system actors (Input suppliers, wholesalers, PVPs CAHWs, Producers) and governance frameworks (formal and Informal); and all support markets and functions
• Participate actively in the household targeting for the animal health service voucher and commercial restocking intervention activities as assigned by supervisors.
• Prepare plan of action for effective Livestock and Input activity implementation in consultation with project coordinator and Livelihoods and Cash Advisor,
• Participate in planning, implementation and monitoring of Input voucher and CAH services/CAHWs training activities
• Participate in planning, implementation and monitoring of Livestock input /animal health service voucher and commercial restocking activities
• Serve as a liaison with the private Livestock input suppliers, cooperatives, Unions, and traders actively involved in the implementation of agricultural 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 animal health service voucher and restocking 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.
• 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 all activities are implemented according to the agreed technical specifications and quality, the agreed time schedule, and within the limit of the planned budget
• 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 livelihood and zonal/ woreda government Livestock staffs on management of CAH, 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 AHWs and CAHWs and supportive MC Livelihood 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Animal science, Livestock production and rangeland management and other related fields
• Skills in coordination and organization of institutional and community-based animal health service; through vouchers and delivery of animal health 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 Mandatory
• 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 and Livestock
• Previous experience working in NGOs is an asset
• Ability to prepare program and activity reports
• Ability to work in under pressure
• 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 Livestock/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

Interested & qualified candidates should submit their Updated CV, Application Letter & other supporting Credentials via: et-recruitment@mercycorps.org or through mail to Mercy Corps Ethiopia Addis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319, Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33 , Jijiga: P.O. Box 225, Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116, Dire Dewa P.O. Box 974 or in person at Gambella Mercy Cops Office.

NB: mention "Livestock Input Officer" in the subject line of your email application. 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.