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 operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

                Position Title: Project Manager    

                Duty Station: Dollo Ado, Somali Region

                Open Position: 1

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is currently implementing a WFP funded “Building Self-sustaining Farmer-Managed solar Irrigation Models for resilience Project” in Bokolmayo woreda specifically in Kobe, Melkadida and Sablale. The project will take an integrated approach to enable improved nutrition, livelihoods, and resilience of vulnerable (agro)pastoralist host and refugee communities in drought-affected areas, with a focus on scaling up support to maximise the impact and sustainability of irrigation systems in Bokolmayo woreda. The action will contribute to food security, resilience, and social cohesion. Beneficiaries will receive inputs and training to facilitate improved agricultural production, post-harvest management, value-adding, market linkages, and entrepreneurship while accessing financial services for improved, diversified, and resilient livelihoods and transformed local food systems. The project aims to build on previous investments funded with support from Sida and Danida and Mercy Corps seeks to scale-up the successful approaches of this action.

General Position Summary

The main role of the project manager for the Building Self-sustaining Farmer-Managed solar Irrigation Models for resilience Project is to provide the appropriate tools, processes and project management systems to ensure that operational priorities for change are balanced, that governance and decision-making are facilitated, and the organization has the resources and capacity to effectively implement its program.

The Project Manager is responsible for the management and implementation of the assigned MC’s Building Self-sustaining Farmer-Managed solar Irrigation Models for Resilience project in Bokolmayo Districts. Key job functions include the following:

Essential Job Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

STRATEGY & VISION

• Oversee and manage field level activities to ensure quality and timely delivery of planned activities.

• Provide technical leadership to field team in planning, organizing, implementing, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of activities.

• Support project team to develop concept notes for the activities and support to ensure better implementation in the area.

• Manage relationship with relevant government stakeholders, public and private partners including key actors (inputs suppliers, producers, information service providers, and other appropriate actors) in the target area for better success.

• Facilitate private sector engagement in his/her respective responsibility in the region by bringing innovative ideas and initiatives to the team.

• Work closely with all IFTIIN team members ensuring activity integration and achieve overall IFTIIN goal.

• Contributes to the key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones and plans in close collaboration with MSD and M&E team, and be responsible for monitoring and reporting outputs and outcome indicators in each component.

• Ensures the program captures and updates information of activities implemented.

• Compile and submit regular updates/reports (weekly, monthly and quarterly).

• Other duties as assigned.

 PROGRAM COORDINATION 

• Liaise with local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.

• Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.

• Represent Mercy Corps professionally in the responsibility areas as to bring credit and to maintain its humanitarian and development mission. 

Team management

• Build effective relationships with program teams implementing production, marketing, diversified economic opportunities, based on mutual trust, collaboration, urgency and curiosity.

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

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally.

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

• Support hiring and orientation of team members.

 FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

• Approve budgets as per approval authority Metrex (AAM).

• Review monthly BvA and act accordingly. 

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.

• 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.

 ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The Program Lead 

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: The Project implementation team.

Job Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience in private sector is strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agribusiness, economics, business administration or other related field, or commensurate private sector or field experience is required.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in private sector or working with other agencies in program coordination, market systems facilitation, production, agribusiness and/or financial services.

• Demonstrated success in programs related to market systems strengthening, financial inclusion, private sector development, marketing and value chain programming.

• Prior experience working with pastoralist communities, in Ethiopia especially in the Somali region.

• Demonstrated ability to function as a social entrepreneur and proven success with building, managing and leading a team of professionals and the ability to function as a team player among peers.

• Proven ability for project and financial management.

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

• Ability to work comfortably, effectively and creatively in areas of variable security.

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

• Effective English language verbal and written communication skills.

• Multi-tasking, organization, and prioritization skills

Success Factors

• Fluent in English and Somali languages (capable in all require basic skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing);

• 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)

Influence and Representation

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

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

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.

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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position holder will be based at Dollo ado, Somali Region, Ethiopia, and will require frequent travel to Dollo ado and Dollo Bay woredas.

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.

How to Apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

 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: May 31, 2024/ 4:00 PM

Applicants Must fill out their Information online through THIS LINK