Livelihood Team Lead

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, 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, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) – 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: Livelihood Team Lead

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position:  1

Program/ Department Summary

Mercy Corps is currently seeking a qualified Livelihoods Team Lead to support implementation of the anticipated, USAID-funded Highlands Resilience Activity (HRA) in Ethiopia. HRA will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA will be a five-year program with an expected start date during mid to late 2023.

General Position Summary

The Livelihood Team Lead is a key position for the anticipated HRA program that s/he will provide technical leadership and oversee the implementation of programming to increase livelihood transition opportunities for target households and/or communities including enhancing human capacity skills and opportunities for skills development and increasing employment and self-employment opportunities. The Team Lead will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and management of the program’s technical strategy and specific activities in close collaboration with local, national, and international partners and stakeholders. The Team Lead will also manage technical teams and supervise staff.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Quality – Resilient Livelihoods

• Provide technical leadership and direction to program staff, participants, and diverse partners, including government, civil society organizations, communities, and households.
• Ensure high-quality program design for relevant technical areas, develop client-centered and market-driven approaches to deliver measurable impact, and ensure technical and operational excellence in the execution of program activities and services.
• Take leadership in identifying, addressing, and adapting to program quality needs and gaps as they arise. Collaborate with the Chief of Party and other senior technical staff to problem solve.
• Supervise and/or review the work of technical consultants.

Program and Technical Leadership

• Oversee activities that are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Explore ways to increase women’s, girls, and boys’ participation in on-farm and off-farm livelihoods.
• Lead efforts to increase income derived from crops and livestock through innovative partnerships that increase technical skills, technology access, market knowledge, and improved sales channels.
• Proactively pursue partnerships with private sector and civil society actors to expand tangible employment opportunities, especially for youth, through increased training, information, and direct employment linkages.
• Work in close collaboration with the Market Systems/Value Chain Team Lead to expand rural livelihood opportunities through market expansion and the introduction of new private-sector-driven income opportunities.
• Provide training and support for the Program team and partners.
• Integrate locally driven approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice for business development and employment programming.
• Support effective integration of gender, youth, and social inclusion issues in all program initiatives; design and implement activities that actively address gender gaps and discriminatory practices.
• Engage with relevant government agencies to improve rules, regulations, and infrastructure to support improved livelihoods and employment opportunities.

Learning and Impact

• Work with the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation align with program objectives, capture technical learning, and incorporate learning into program adjustments.
• Lead assessments and development of learning products, such as case studies and short articles. Contribute to the dissemination of learning products among program stakeholders.

Supervisory Responsibility: Required to supervise teams of technical staff. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: HRA Deputy Chief of Party
Works Directly with the HRA team, PaQ team, HQ Technical Support Unit, implementing partners.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA or master’s degree in agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business, Rural Development, or related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience with US Government or other similar development programs focusing on rural livelihoods and resilience for vulnerable households (with experience related to on-farm, off-farm, and employment livelihoods in Ethiopia preferred).
• Proven experience in program design, execution, operations, team leadership, and performance measurement and management.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including national and subnational government, donors, donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and civil society organizations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Familiarity with Donor rules, regulations, and requirements preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Livelihoods Team Lead will combine deep technical skills and experience collaborating with and supporting a variety of partners from the public and private sectors. Must be flexible, creative, and enthusiastic about inclusive economic growth and resilience strengthening. Candidates must be self-starters who are able to manage competing priorities, learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. They will also have proven experience working with cross-cultural teams and partner capacity building. The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles, and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient, and lead team members, as necessary.

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

• Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

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 professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 04 October 2023/ 4:00 PM