MSD Intern|Dire Dawa

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: MSD Intern

Duty Station: Dire Dawa

Open Position:  1

Duration of Internship: 6 months

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

Mercy Corps is implementing a five-year, Feed the Future USAID-funded Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA North) aimed to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets, and governance institutions across the Somali, Afar, and Oromia regions, collectively contributing to enhanced food security and inclusive economic growth for the targeted community.  RIPA, implemented by Mercy Corps, CARE, local partners, and government has four development-focused intervention areas aimed at building resilience.

RIPA includes a Crisis Modifier component that allows us to pivot our approach and respond to humanitarian needs in ways that support, not undermine long-term development and resilience objectives. In relation to this, Mercy Corps is planning to implement a $10 million Crisis Modifier in response to the drought and Global Food Crisis impacting Ethiopia.

RIPA program seeks enthusiastic, intelligent, and ambitious graduates who are passionate about Market System Development.  This position will provide the intern an opportunity to develop their professional skills and expand their knowledge of market-based and community-driven development while supporting the RIPA program.  This internship will also support the RIA program and the country office’s efforts.

The intern will be provided with technical guidance in RIPA Component 2 and coaching. At the beginning of the internship period, the intern will receive orientation on Mercy Corps’ mission, vision, strategy, and programming.  S/he will work with the MSD officer mentor on professional skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals; s/he will also work with the MSD Specialist on technical skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals. 

At the end of the internship period, the combined professional and technical skills development plan will be the milestones against which the internship will be evaluated and will be the basis of a strong recommendation letter for future employment.  The intern will also be interviewed to assess the degree to which the internship period helped her to achieve her professional goals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: (what education and/or skills will the intern have at the end of the internship that can be applied to MULTIPLE employment settings in the future? This differentiates the intern from a volunteer or employee)

• Developing oral and written communication skills
• Enhancing knowledge and understanding on MSD focused activities implementation.
• Developing self-reliance and self-confidence skills
• Improving skills for understanding and working with people with diverse background and cultures.
• Improving skills on working effectively within diverse environments.

 By the end of the internship, the intern will have developed the following knowledge and experience:

• The MSD Intern will have the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the implementation of market systems development approaches in Ethiopia. They will also gain valuable experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, and community members.
• Understanding of the basics of the Market System Development Approach
• Understanding of the importance of and methodology of the Market System Development Approach for one organization

• Experience in MSD approaches, identification of the market system opportunities/constraints private and public sector engagement, and partnership management. youth soft skills, youth employment.

• Experience in setting up data management, Data filing, Data kipping, compiling, and organizing.
• Knowledge of soft skills required for professional success in an increasingly competitive market.
• Increased self-awareness, confidence, and assertiveness
• In working with diverse actors in the market system
• MSD approach and engaging private sector into project implementation.
• Data gathering and presentation into different formats.

DELIVERABLES: (describe any tangible and measurable result or outcome to complete the project or part of a project)

• Engage with a wide range of actors and stakeholders, including government, private sector actors, and program participants.
• Monitor VSLAs monthly and quarterly, working closely with Financial Inclusion Specialists.
• Provide technical support to FAs.
• Help to document important files at the office.
• Participate in and engage in regular field visits to assess the activity's implementation progress (TVET, BDS, cottage industry, BRUH, and last mile activities), give technical advice/mentor, and provide feedback(s) for further improvement.
• Participate in the Facilitation of capacity-building efforts for market actors (i.e., private, public) on the MSD approaches, and identification of the market system opportunities/constraints through conducting continuous system analysis.
• Participate in the facilitation of technical support in the area of responsibilities for MSD activities to ensure the planned activities are implemented timely and with required deliverable quality.
• Participate and Facilitate market systems assessment, organizing validation workshops and stakeholder platforms/events in collaboration with the MSD Officer, Specialists, and Coordinators across the cluster.
• Monitor, follow up on, and provide technical support to field agents and VSLAs in the operational woreda with the help of their immediate supervisor.
• Understand and distribute periodic report forms, as well as collect and submit reports on time to the supervisor and follow-up activities.
• Conduct project/Component mini assessment with the support of, the MSD Officer.
• Gather needs for solar energy products to facilitate market linkage with the help of the MC DD field office and agents.
• Frequently travel to the field by following the assigned activities by MSD Coordinator (TVET, BDS, Cottage industry, BRUH, Last mile, and VSLA)
• Enter IPTS data into compare and dream save programs and digitize data.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum academic score of 200
• Completed courses in Statistics, Economics, and Development field 2.5.
• One letter of recommendation from a professor on the candidate’s academic performance
• One letter of recommendation from a non-family member on the candidate’s personal integrity and sense of responsibility.
• Graduated from University in the past three years.
•  Zero years of work experience required.
• Good interpersonal communication skills
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
•  Ability to work in a team environment.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken & written Local Language/Oromia, Somali, and English

LIVING CONDITIONS: The internship should be based in the intern’s home location.

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside work hours and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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.

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.

NOTE: All interns must be active at a university or recently graduated (within about 1 year).

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: 23 November 2023/ 4:00 PM