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. In partnership with civil society organizations, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

                     Position Title:  Livelihood Officers

                     Duty Station: Gode (Adadle & Berano Woredas of Shebele Zone),

                      Open Position:  2

 Program / Department Summary

Shocks and stresses are a frequent occurrence in the lowlands of Ethiopia. Recent droughts have ravaged the lowlands areas of Somali and Oromia regions, resulting in widespread livestock loss and has further weakened the coping capacities of the communities. Large numbers of people are facing lack of animal feed, and milk production is estimated to be below normal levels which is severely impacting household nutrition and food sufficiency. The decline in livestock condition means households are unable to sell their animals and purchasing power has dropped.

Mercy Corps has been working in Somali Region both on development and humanitarian response initiatives. Considering the extended impact of drought in the region, Mercy Corps is initiating drought response project in Shebelle Zone of Somali Region, where the prolonged drought destroyed assets of the community, mainly livestock. This project will enhance livelihoods and save the lives and livelihoods of drought affected communities of Adadle and Berano woredas of the Shebelle Zone.

Mercy Corps is looking for two livelihood officers for drought response and recovery project, which will be funded by the Hilton Foundation. The officers will be based in Gode and report to the Livelihood and Cash Advisor and work on drought response and recovery activities in the two woredas. The Livelihood Officers will be responsible to implement the day-to-day livelihood activities: multi-purpose cash assistance, crop and livestock production (feed/fodder, animal health service, and improved forage, vegetable and crop seed supply) using market system development approach and providing technical support for government line offices and closely work with other field teams, support staffs and concerned staffs of at the head office accordingly.

 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

─         Participate actively in the identification of relevant crop and livestock market system actors (crop and livestock input and service suppliers, PVPs, CAHWs, wholesalers, cooperatives, unions, 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 MPCA and crop and livestock input voucher activities

─         Participate actively in household targeting for multi-purpose cash assistance, livestock inputs and seed vouchers supply 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 livestock inputs and seed vouchers activities, monitor their performance, and identify and report on irregularities in the implementation.

─         Contribute actively in developing 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 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.

 Influence and Representations

─           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).

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

·       Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)

·       Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

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.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Job Requirements

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

─         BSc Degree in one of the following subjects: Plant Science, Animal Science, Rural development, Dryland crop production, Agricultural Extension, Agronomy, and other related field

─         Knowledge and technical skills in coordination and organization of voucher-based agricultural inputs supply and cash transfer

─         Ability and willingness to frequently travel to villages and willingness to reside in rural areas

─         Experience in working with regional and Woreda level Office of Agriculture closely

─         Ability to prepare program and activity reports

─         Highly organized, pro-active decision-making ability with proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

─          Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions like long distance

─         Good interpersonal and communication skills

─         Previous experience working in NGOs is an asset

─         Firm belief in teamwork and gender equality

─         Excellent spoken and written English language and knowledge of the local language (Somali)

Success Factors:

The successful candidates shall have a good verbal and written communication skills, and strong coordination and facilitation skills. The candidates must be comfortable working in a dynamic environment with shifting needs and priorities, have the ability to work collaboratively with partners, and have a strong network of experts and institutions to draw upon as needed.

 LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

 The position is based in Gode, Ethiopia and it requires up to 75% travel mainly within the intervention areas of the project.

 Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

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 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: 10 September 2022/ 4:00 PM

 Please send non-returnable applications and credentials to one of the following addresses:  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 RecruiterAddis Ababa: P.O. Box 14319Arbaminch: P.O. Box 33 , Jijiga: P.O. Box 225Negelle Borena: P.O. Box 116Dire Dawa: P.O. Box 974