About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that started during October 2023.

General Position Summary

Reporting to the Livelihoods specialist/team lead, the On-farm enterprise Advisor is a technical position for Mercy Corps with a technical guidance for a field level specialists and local NGO partners  to enhance productivity and sales of climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive crops and livestock, including through support for cooperatives and aggregation models. Guides activities to promote the use of improved and contextually appropriate inputs, technology, and information services. Strengthens capacity of local partner staff that support PSNP on-farm enterprises. Technical responsibilities of the advisor also include conducting market system assessment, on farm enterprises capacity assessment, providing technical guidance for the field level specialists, capacity building support to program targeted agribusinesses, including technical advice, mentorship and coaching; and facilitating linkages to support services for improved coverage and outreach. The On-farm enterprise Advisor will closely work with inclusive value chain advisor, GYSI advisor and financial service advisor at the head office level and closely coordinate with the field level technical team.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Work closely with the Livelihoods specialist/team lead and all other teams in designing and implementing business capacity building interventions of on farm enterprises of the program according to the approved work plan and budgets, project documents and implementation strategies.

• Provide technical leadership for design and implementation of activities using a market systems development approach

• Identify and manage partnerships that contribute both to sustainable and inclusive growth of agricultural private sector partners and to anticipated project results.

• With supervision and guidance from the livelihood specialist/team leader, conduct assessments, design projects, and lead strategy development.

• Supports the expansion of the high potential markets for Agriculture in target areas that could enhance the livelihood of PSNP households

• Identify the capacity gaps of small and medium on farm businesses working with the program design and implement feasible capacity building activities based on identified gaps.

• Lead the field level technical teams to execute quality activities, track results, update any changes in capacities, constraints, and incentives in the agricultural market system

• Build the capacity of project staff, partners, and stakeholders to foster agricultural market system upgrading that positively contributes to the livelihood of PSNP households.

• Conduct due diligence on potential partners and support the negotiation process, as requested, in finalizing teaming and partnership agreements.

• Provide continuous capacity support and oversee activities of on farm enterprises identified for capacity building support.

• Work closely with all other program teams to ensure synergies and to maximize program impact.

• Work closely with the monitoring, evaluation and learning and communication teams in setting baseline indexes of targeted businesses and track progress against set business capacity performance parameters.

• Actively participate in regular program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions.

• Build field team capacity in the areas of market systems development, agribusiness, business mentorship and coaching.

• Prepare periodic work plans and progress reports.

• Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning environment.

• Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities.

• Conduct herself/himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.

 TEAM MANAGEMENT

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

• Train and mentor teams with all aspects of agriculture market systems the project is targeting including key actors; governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

• participate in recruitment and orientation of new team members as necessary.

• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

 MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING (MEL)

• Contribute for development and revision of the MEL system linked to On-farm related indicators, and information management, in close coordination with the MEL team.

• Coordinate data gathering and management with all field-based program staff

• Oversee scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program, with a high level of quality, requiring minimal revision.

• Ensure coordination and sharing of information with the program team and stakeholders.

• As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that other staff are able to engage in this organizational learning and career development opportunities.

 PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS

• Coordinate and support finance, operations and administrative staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities, including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.

Supervisory Responsibility

The On-farm enterprise advisor will technically supervise and guide field level livelihood specialists of the program

Reports Directly to: HRA Livelihood specialist/team lead

Works Directly with: HRA program team, HRA consortium partners, MEL team, Finance team, Operations team, private sector partners, and government stakeholders.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Masters degree preferable) in one of the following subjects: , Economics, Plant Science, Animal Science, Rural Development and agricultural extension and, Agricultural Economics;

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in managing and implementing agricultural value chain development interventions/programs

• Proven experience in applying market-based approaches to increase agricultural productivity including collaborating with private sector national and international actors to achieve sustainable and scalable solutions for hard-to-reach communities (preferably experience in working with PSNP program).

• Deep understanding of PSNP program and the interplay between key agricultural market actors like financial service providers (MFI, Banks, and insurers), input suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets, governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.

• Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills as well as familiarity with the agriculture sector is required.

• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment.

• Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously.

• A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude is required, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments.

• Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with field team members, local patterns and program target groups.

Success Factors

The successful candidate possesses excellent leadership skills, with the ability to maintain a broad perspective. They will undertake innovative and creative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas, and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning - including openness to test new ways to work with private sector actors in the PSNP context. The ideal candidate has a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Ethiopia. The ideal candidate also is an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. Candidate will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity building of field team-members and local partners; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.

Living /Environmental Conditions:

The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with regular travels to the field. This position requires up to 50% of travel by air and road to field offices in relatively secure environments. 

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 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.

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.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

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.

How to Apply

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.

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  November 2023/ 4:00 PM

CLICK HERE to apply