Position Title:  Livelihoods and Financial Inclusions Coordinator – IFTIIN PROJECT

Primary Location:  One in Dollo Ado, Somali region

Current Employee:  New 

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.

Mercy Corps seeks Livelihoods and Financial Inclusion Coordinator for WFP Program. This position will be based in Dollo Ado, with frequent travel to the target Woredas and kebeles of Dollo ado and Dollo Bay. The coordinator will report directly to the Team Leader and work to support the effort in improving the livelihood options and participation for communities with better economic support. He/she will be working with the team to establish a better understanding of the financial inclusion markets that can create a self-reliant.

 Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Design

·        Recognizes opportunities for innovative, Technology and IT action to enable financial inclusion of different categories of target groups at scale.

·        Work closely with financial sector actors Banks, Microfinance, Cooperatives, SACCOs, Researchers, Technology-based companies, Money transfers companies globally to co-create appropriate financial services in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

·        Create an environment where project teams work together, exchange information, coordinate activities and develop team spirit in project management

·        Works closely with project management other team members to contribute to a vision and strategy development and in applying market systems development approaches to the target communities.

 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Supports the expansion of the high potential markets for Agriculture, livestock and financial services, in target communities.

• Work with market actors like inputs suppliers, producers, traders, aggregators, value adders, processors, cooperatives, Agri Businesses, Banks, MFIs, RuSSACOS and VSL’s to strengthen their reach in serving target communities.

• Supports the expansion of the relevant Microfinance institutions in the woredas and their network of money transfer (mobile banking agents) into the target areas, such as identifying and training mobile banking agents.

• Supports the team to conduct ‘refresher’ market analysis of crop, livestock and financial markets to generates programmatic understanding about the market opportunities, constraints related to access to inputs, knowledge/skills, limited value addition – will support the team to identify any market shifts caused by recent shocks and stresses.

• Will lead the teams to map the relevant market functions and key market players. Execute quality activities, track results, update any changes in capacities, constraints, and incentives to adopt new market behaviors and develop and implement activities

• Develops 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 respective market system(s).

• Ensures the program captures and responds to up-to-date information about market developments within respective market systems and global best practices for Economic & Markets Development.

• Build and maintain close relationships with key government partners in Jigjiga, at all levels

• Work closely with the program 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.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Familiarize the team with all aspects of agriculture, Livestock and Financial market systems the project is targeting including key actors; governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.

• Trains and provides mentoring to the teams working with him/under him to acquire knowledge and key tools in market systems Development and facilitation approach and works in the field with the objectives to increase their capacities in program implementation effectiveness

• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA, M.A, M.S., M.Sc., or equivalent in a field related to economics, finance, international development, business management or subject with relevance for market systems development are preferred

• Five years of experience in the financial markets in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems of good experience in the finance private sector will be considered;

• Exceptional Masters recent graduate in MBA or Finance related course who is ready to demonstrate creative and ambitious to set a breakthrough great idea in the financial sector will be considered.

• Deep understanding and mastery of Markets4Poor approach and Economic & Markets Development facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovating.

• Demonstrated program implementation and training capabilities; Knowledge of Participatory analyses action and results in processes:

 Success Factors

• Fluent in English and Somali languages

• Business-minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.

• He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures

• Excellent communication, facilitation and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner government and NGO-sector actors

• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Supervisory Responsibility: IFTIIN MSD Specialist and Financial inclusion Specialist

Accountability

Reports Directly To: IFTIIN Team Leader

Works Directly with other sectors of IFTIIN project and support functions (Operations and Finance).

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

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

• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

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 professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Influence and Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.

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.

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 the 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 professionally, respect local laws and customs, and 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.

Living conditions / environmental conditions

The position is based in Dollo ado, with frequent travelling to the intervention sites of Dollo ado and Dollo bay. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

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.

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: 15 October 2023/ 4:00 PM