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 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. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision 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. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 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 six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. 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, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. 

 Position Title: TEAM LEAD: LIVESTOCK PRODUTION AND MARKETING

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RIPA) program is a five-year USAID-funded initiative that aims to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets and governance institutions across 22 woredas in the Somali, Afar and Oromia regions. RiPA is designed across four major technical themed components with targeted activities and a ‘Crisis Modifier’ which will allow implementation to pivot the adaptive management approach and respond to humanitarian needs in ways that support, not undermine, long-term development and resilience objectives.

General Position Summary

The Livestock Production and Marketing Team lead will lead Pastoral and Agro-pastoral production and marketing component of RIPA and provided supports for program target communities to increase production, productivity and marketing of livestock and crop through market-based interventions. The component will facilities improve access to inputs, service and outputs market for the livestock and crop products to enhance the competitiveness and growth of the livestock and crops sector. The individual will work closely with the Chief of Party, Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Team Lead, Diversified Economy Opportunity team lead, the Nutrition Team Lead and the Collaboration Learning and Adaptation (CLA) Team Lead. S/he will engage closely with counterparts from with other donor funded programs and the private sector actors. This position will be responsible for overall planning, coordination and implementation of Pastoral and Agro-pastoral production and marketing activities in the program targeted area, ensuring interventions achieve maximum impact while remaining on schedule and budget.

Essential Job Responsibilities

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP and Implimention

• Provide leadership and strategic vision while overseeing all pastoral and agro-pastoral production and marketing activities ensuring that staff are following work plans, activities are on schedule to the highest standard, and that project deliverables are completed as planned.

• Advise technical aspects of the components and support program team to promote resilient livestock/Crop Market System development.

• Work closely with partners on coordinating activities and harmonizing technical strategies and tactics.

• Manage implementation of component activities by providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration with national staff, monitoring implementation and impact, training staff in commercialization, marketing and business skills enabling them to train program participants households and business enterprises.

• Provide technical support to cluster program teams to help improve access to and availability of production inputs and service through facilitating private and public sector engagements.

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.

• Lead the identification and engagement of private sector engagement process to enhance improved access to inputs, service, and output market in the program targeted area.

• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work- plans, and ensure the delivery of the same.

• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.

• Provide managerial and programmatic technical oversight to partners and sub-grantee(s).

• Document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting activity adjustments in keeping with new insights.

• Produce written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities.

• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites - spend up to 50% of time in the field.

Supervisory Responsibility

Senior MSD advisors, MSD Coordinators, MSD Specialists

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

• Works Directly With: Senior Market Systems Development Advisor, Components one, two & four Team Leads, CLA Lead, Regional Coordinators, MSD Coordinators, CARE RiPA Team and other support departments including People and Culture, Finance and Operations teams.

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

• MSc/MA in field of livestock, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or related field

• At least 7 years for MA/S and 9 years for BA work experience with for profit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO) or profit agribusiness working with vulnerable, marginalized and pastoralists/agro-pastoralist groups.

• 5+ years’ proven experience in innovative value chain development or Market system Development approaches business models using best practices. Experience in Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) programming approaches and methodologies, and private-sector program partnerships is desired.

• Demonstrated technical experience in pastoral and agro-pastoral/dry lands production system is desirable.

• Experience with the development, implementation & compliance of donor funded programs including USAID agreements and strong understanding of USAID rules and regulations and compliance issues.

• Established ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.

• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving with proven ability to be accountable for all components of the program.

• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.

• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to a wide range of key stakeholders.

• Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.

• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.

• Excellent oral and written English skills required.

• Preference given to candidates with prior experience in Ethiopia.

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse team in a sensitive environment.

• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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 e learning 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: January 07,2024 / 4:00 PM

• Applicants Must fill out their Information through the link: CLIK HERE