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: Project officer

Duty Station: Dollo, Kobe

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 100,000 women, children, and men over five years for refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Working with refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The program will integrate two proven models – poverty graduation and Market Systems Development – layering these approaches in a new way that will ensure that the poorest households can improve their income and well-being significantly and maintain  Mercy Corps will lead the Market Systems component of the program and will be responsible for developing market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful and supporting the operating environment for businesses and communities to thrive

General Position Summary

The Project Officer is responsible for the Dreams Project Strengthened Market Systems for Graduation Model and integrating the model MSD and Poverty graduation model The Project Officer guides the BSG or BG in developing an effective plan that stimulates the two approaches and maximizing investment from the private and public sectors. The Project Officer will be responsible for MSD activities ensuring that Implementation in the field is based on DREAMS objective, She/he will also be responsible for facilitating market assessments and/or research to be undertaken under the MSD approach and interrelated sectors, engaging in stakeholder analysis and identification partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate relationships and linkages among traders, private sector actors, trade cooperatives/unions, community committees, government stakeholders, MFIs, and others and facilitate bringing them as a strong contributor in the program and community development to improve the socio-economic development of local communities.

2. Work with team members to ensure that all planned activities comply with existing policies and procedures and all statutory obligations and ensure women and smallholders are getting equitable benefits.

3. Facilitate BG beneficiaries, individuals, and groups, to conduct market assessments, and develop business plans, marketing, and other livelihood support activities.

4. Organize and facilitate community meetings with BG and Private actors’ livelihoods groups to strengthen the active participation of the DREAMS project and Graduation model.

5. Work with a wide range of stakeholders and community groups to manage the constraints and risks that prevent women and youth female groups from their inclusion in income-generating activities.

6. Provide day-to-day implementation support to the team in carrying out enterprise development & value chain development activities & youth and women lead enterprise development activities.

7. Participate in regular market and labor market monitoring to identify and recommend emerging opportunities in the agriculture value chain sector for women.

8. Work closely with selected BSG beneficiaries, individual/group, to analyze the selected livelihood options in terms of Graduation and DREAMS Arm.

9. Ensure the market systems development activities are gender and youth-sensitive with a focus on building resilience in vulnerable populations.

10. Help strengthen small-scale private sector development in the camps and host kebeles by bringing new ideas and initiatives to the project.

11. Participate in woreda/camp level coordination meetings with government line offices, UNHCR, RRS, and kebele administrations and ensure that they have understood the project approach and have up-to-date information about the progress of project activities and impacts.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MSD coordinator. 

Works Directly With other project program teams support staff and consortium member 

Job Requirements

Minimum Qualification and Transferable Skills

• University degree in the relevant field (e.g. Agri- Economics, Business Administration, sociology, social sciences, or related discipline) or equivalent experience

• Experience in engagement with the private sector, market actors, and business support services providers.

• Minimum of 3 years experience in working with other agencies at the field level.

• Experience in working in livelihoods interventions like enterprise development, business management training, youth, and women's economic empowerment program.

• A good understanding and experience in the refugee context.

Success Factors

• Fluent in English, and capable Somali language is a strong benefit.

• Great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills with a wide range of actors across geographical areas

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

• Ability to foster solid working relationships with Government, beneficiary communities, and partner organizations.

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.

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.

Applicants must fill out their information online through THIS LINK

 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.”