Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is launching an innovative new program - Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems (DREAMS) for refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia which provides solutions that will achieve increased household income, savings, assets and improved food security and wellbeing. The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 100,000 women, children, and men over the course of the five years. Working with refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia the program will integrate two proven models – poverty graduation and Market Systems Development – layering these approaches in a new way that will ensure that the poorest households are able to improve their income and well-being significantly and maintain Mercy Corps will lead the Market Systems component of the program and will be responsible for developing market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful and supporting the operating environment for businesses and communities to thrive.

 General Position Summary

Mercy Corps seeks an experienced Governance and Social Cohesion Specialist with experience of local community structure and social cohesion programs in refugee contexts. S/he will be responsible for leading, designing and implementing social cohesion activities of the project from assessment and activities selection and planning implementation of activities. The specialist will be responsible for leading and supervising all technical aspects to ensure all aspects of conflict sensitive issues are adequately assessed, all program activities are implemented through DO NOT HARM approach, this will include working closely with assessment leaders and developing a detailed implementation plan to ensure success in the implementation of the project activities.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Provide overall strategic direction on conflict sensitivity and conflict management across all project sectors.
• Work with consultants and partners to manage social cohesion assessment process which includes support to technical consultants during the inception phase.
• Design, adapt and conflict assessment tools relevant for the project context; ensure conflict analyses are built into assessments; ensure assessment findings are effectively translated into activity design.
• Support monitoring and analysis of conflict dynamics to feed into activity design and facilitate analysis of social cohesion data for program decision-making.
• Provide direct technical support for critical peacebuilding and conflict management activities. 

CAPACITY BUILDING

• Build the capacity of woredas government staff, civil society and key influential community leaders to facilitate inter-community dialogues related to the program’s objectives.
• Works closely with the program team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ policies, Do No Harm principles and project participant accountability standards.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps’ governance and social cohesion activities to external actors, advocate for the importance of this approach as part of current and future programs.
• Liaise with local and international actors working on peacebuilding initiatives and ensure coordination and sharing of lessons across key actors in program sites.
• Identify and build collaborative partnerships with partners, sub-grantees, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Design and pursue research initiatives designed to increase the evidence base around Mercy Corps’ conflict management programming, integrated peacebuilding, and other related areas.
• Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with government, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.

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. 

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social science/s, peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, international development, humanitarian response, dispute resolution, international relations or equivalent relevant field experience preferred.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills, particularly in peacebuilding and conflict management
• Strong understanding of peacebuilding and conflict management mechanisms and processes as part of economic development activities
• Two-three years’ experience designing, implementing and/or monitoring conflict management and reconciliation activities, including in connection with development activities
• Formal training in, or ability to train in conflict sensitivity, negotiation approaches, and social cohesion methodologies will be an added value
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Experience working in Somali region preferred, with strong contextual knowledge of relevant cultures and local communities.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations
• Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint).
• Excellent communicator in English and Somali with demonstrated excellent report writing and speaking skills, proficiency in Somali language is must.
•  Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents via email: et-recruitment@mercycorps.org or through postal address to 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 and Dire Dewa: P.O. Box 974 

Note: Make sure that you mention the position title in the subject line of your email application. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. Applications will not be returned and will not be retained for future recruitment efforts. In order to ensure fairness to all applicant’s 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: 02 April 2022