Position:- Gender Specialist ER-CAP

Location:- Abala, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full Time

About Mercy Corps

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.

Program / Department Summary

ER-CAP is a 5-year project by Mercy Corps, DRC, and First Consult Development. It aims to improve the economic adaptation, protection, and recovery of conflict-affected populations in three regions: Afar (Abaala), Tigray (Mekelle), and Amhara (Woldiya). The program will benefit 43,540 individuals, focusing on IDPs, returnee women, youth and marginalized groups. It uses a conflict-sensitive, systems-strengthening, climate-smart and inclusive approach to enhance systems that support economic recovery. The expected outcomes include resilient livelihoods, improved access to financial products and services, and enhanced capacity to mitigate protection risks.

ER-CAP aims to improve the economic condition of conflict-affected communities by strengthening MSMEs, improving crop and livestock value chains, and providing income-generating opportunities. It includes providing affordable financial products and technology through partnerships with financial service providers, conducting GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) dialogues, and identifying business ideas for economic activities in displacement settings.

General Position Summary

• The position holder will be responsible for mainstreaming gender in the program design and implementation. He/She/ will also be the focal person for the GDI (Gender Diversity and Inclusion) initiative in the Afar region.

Essential Job Responsibilities

 STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where project teams work together, exchange information, coordinate activities and develop team spirit in project management

• Participate in the Mercy Corps teams vision, strategic planning, and execution thereof for gender and social inclusion integration, including as a technical resource for the agency wide Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) Initiative

• Contribute to agency-wide gender integration efforts and communities of practice as appropriate

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Provide program teams with technical support, coaching and capacity building to ensure high quality gender integration in programs;

• Work closely with the program lead and the team in mainstreaming Gender issues as part of the program design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. Provide technical guidance to teams to ensure programs/departments develop and implement gender integration strategies and work plans.

• Support and take the lead to ensure alignment of the gender and inclusion initiatives both in time of design and implementation of the program

• Serve as technical representation on the strategic gender and social inclusion focused opportunities in theAfar region

• Gather/analyze data and complete assessments to determine community needs and priorities and identify partnership opportunities.

• Cultivate and activate relationships with women’s rights / groups, other platforms and gender equality focused civil society organizations across the region to advance programmatic impact.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

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

• Provide Program teams with technical support, coaching and capacity building to ensure high quality gender integration in programs and the GDI initiatives that MC introduced

• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives including provision of gender training.

• Contribute to Program team-building efforts, training program and department staff on gender integration mainstreaming

• Work closely with team members from DRC, to support capacity-building, protection and gender integration into DRC-implemented components of the program

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to the program

• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

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

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

Reports Directly To: Project Coordinator-Abaala

Works Directly With: All program team members working on the ER-CAP program, field-level Finance, Country GEDSI Advisor, Country Accountability and Safeguarding Advisor

Job Requirement

Knowledge and Experience

• BA Degree in International Development, Public Health, Gender Studies or a comparable area of Social study preferred

• Three to Five years of proven work experience in related work.

• Demonstrated program implementation and training capabilities;

• Knowledge of participatory analyses, action and results processes;

• Experience in the region is required; 

Success Factors

• Fluent in English (oral and writing) and local language of the region

• 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 and NGO- sector actors

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

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. HERE

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: 04 April 2024/ 4:00 PM