Mercy Corps Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist (Team Leader) Jobs in Ethiopia

Mercy Corps Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist (Team Leader) Jobs in Ethiopia

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

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.

Mercy Corps is currently seeking a qualified Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist 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.

The Position

The Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist will provide HRA staff and partners with technical leadership and expertise in market systems development and climate-resilient crop & livestock value chain development.

The Specialist 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 Specialist will also manage technical teams and supervise staff.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Quality – Resilient Markets and Value Chains

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 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 all aspects of the crop and livestock value chains.

Proactively pursue partnerships with private sector and civil society actors to expand rural supply and value chains and increase the availability of needed products and supplies in rural markets. Support increased private sector investment in target areas.

Work in close collaboration with the Livelihood Specialist to expand rural livelihoods opportunities through market expansion and introduction of new private-sector driven income opportunities.

Provide training and support for HRA staff 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 market development and resilience programming.

Engage with relevant government agencies to improve rules, regulations, and infrastructure to support improved rural market systems.

Learning and Impact

Work with the HRA Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation aligns with program objectives, captures technical learning, and incorporates learning into program adjustments.

Lead market and value chain assessments and develop learning products, such as case studies and short articles. Contribute to dissemination of learning products among program stakeholders.

Influence & Representation

As needed, represent Mercy Corps at program, government, donor, NGO, or other relevant events, in close coordination with HRA leadership.

Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Work in close collaboration with the global markets team to spread learning across programs and countries.

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, HQ Technical Support Unit, implementing partners

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Business, Marketing, or related field (Master’s Degree preferred).

Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience with US Government or other similar development programs focused on value chain or market systems development, including improving financial services for the poor, with experience in Ethiopia.

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 USAID rules, regulations, and requirements preferred.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; Mercy Corps Market Systems/Value Chain Specialist (Team Leader) Jobs in Ethiopia

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