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:

 Under the guidance of MEL/ CLA Director, the Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor plays a critical role in Mercy Corps Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) program by providing leadership and strategy in accountability and safeguarding, with a focus on: Community Accountability Reporting Mechanisms (CARM); and  Safeguarding (SG). The role provides essential advice to the HRA MEL/ CLA Director and Program Management unit whilst supporting the program team in the design and implementation of CARM and SG approaches that result in the delivery of impactful program that are responsive to community needs. This position plays a key role in ensuring that MC and industry standards for CARM and SG are met, strengthening the quality of the program, promoting learning and building the capacity of team members in these domains.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM)

• Lead the participatory development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each CARM feedback mechanism.

• Develop processes to ensure integration of feedback and evidence based learning into program implementation

• Facilitate the establishment of the program work plan for the rollout of CARM, including processes, procedures, forms, and budgetary guidance.

• Follow-up with programmatic teams to ensure that appropriate CARM feedback is efficiently directed through the correct channels

• Develop a yearly work plan identifying priority areas and targets and following up regularly on its implementation.

• Comply with and ensure compliance of global data protection and privacy standards while confidentially receiving, following up on, and reporting on CARM feedback received.

• Conduct orientation sessions for HRA program staff and field partners and other stakeholders on CARM;

• Ensure functioning CARM program Database with features for data visualization.

• Support CARM team and Social Accountability Advisors in CARM analytics, strengthening processes for using CARM data for learning and improved programming, and preparing country aggregations and reports.

• Carry out quarterly Data Quality Assurance checks on CARM data.

• Adapt and diversify CARM IEC based on specific programmatic needs and context.

• Expand CARM work to include community engagement and communication, in line with the AAP framework.

Safeguarding

• Champion safeguarding policies and accompanying policy guidance support materials and assist in promoting prevention of sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) within the HRA program.

• Work with individuals and teams within the program to help ensure the HRA program and operation are integrating Safeguarding measures.

• In partnership with relevant teams, identify, map and regularly update local support services available to survivors.Led safeguarding risk assessment for HRA program.

• Collaborate with CARM & SG officers and MEL specialists to review partners’ SG self-assessments and develop tailored action plans to enhance capacity and systems

• Act as a resource to HRA program senior management as they work to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations under Mercy Corps’ and donor’s Safeguarding policies and response mechanisms.

• Work with Mercy Corps country safeguarding Co-Investigators for Safeguarding related inquiries and investigations related to HRA program

• Help build trust and confidence in HRA program’ reporting, investigation and follow up systems and foster a climate where team members feel confident and comfortable coming forward with issues

• Conduct safeguarding awareness sessions to HRA program teams, partners and other stakeholder

 Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

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

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

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

• Play an active role in hiring, orienting and leading team members as necessary.

 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Technical leadership to accountability and safeguarding officers

Accountability

Reports Directly to: HRA MEL/ CLA Director

Works Directly with: HRA Senior leaders (Key personnel and component leads), HRA Accountability and Safeguarding officers, HRA MEL manager and MEL specialists, CLA manager, Country PaQ team.

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• A Bachelor's degree in related fields is required (this could include economics, law, Sociology,,social work,, international relations, development studies, international humanitarian law, or other) and an advanced degree is a plus.

• At least five years of related work experience, preferably with an international or local Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) with at least two years at senior level / supervisor roles;

• Proven experience in developing or contributing to accountability frameworks, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for feedback mechanisms;

• Experience and/or training in handling sensitive information - Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) training is an advantage, including Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Protection knowledge and capacities;

• Proven experience in data collection, data-entry, data/information management and analysis;

• Fluency in written and oral English and Amharic languages, with additional local languages an advantage.

• The ability to work closely in a team, be patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and work in an environment that is often stressful and potentially volatile;

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language challenges. Tact and diplomacy are essential;

• Demonstrated knowledge and interest in Safeguarding, and a sensitivity to cultural diversity, equity, inclusion and gender issues.

Success Factors

The successful Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor  will possess an exemplary professional standard of ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures and external regulations. They will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and confidential matters. They will have the ability to navigate difficult circumstances with a calm demeanor, in an analytical and methodical manner.  They will demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities if necessary.  They will possess a broad understanding of humanitarian and   development including Market System programs coupled with the ability to analyze operational data and clearly present conclusions and recommendations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  and is required to travel to the field locations up to 25% of time, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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. 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

Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link:

CLICK HERE to apply