Adviser at Mercy Corps

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Adviser

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Employer: Mercy Corps

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Gambella - Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 week ago

Deadline: May, 31/2025 (1 days left)

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Job Details

Description

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. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs.

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 Seven regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Tigray 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.

Department Summary

Trade4Peace is a Hilton Foundation funded project with the aim of building sustainable peace and improving livelihoods of host communities and refugees in Gambella region with the specific objectives of strengthening peaceful co-existence & social cohesion among conflicting communities, improving their livelihoods through improved agricultural production and productivities, accessibility to economic opportunities and provision of inclusive financial services.

Job Description

Location: Gambella Field Office

Position Status: Full-time

Current Team Member: N/A

Safeguarding Risk Level: low

About MSD-Livelihoods Improvement Advisor

As Trade for Peace Market Systems Development Livelihood Advisor (Refugee & Host Communities), you will help ensure the provision of technical expertise and guidance on market systems development and diversified livelihoods approaches for refugee and host communities. They will also design, implement and monitor interventions to improve income generating opportunities in both crop and livestock production, off and on farm opportunities, fishery production and marketing and improved access to finance for youth and women. The incumbent must know the livelihood strategy and principles, market systems approaches, and experience in working closely with Financial Service Providers (FSPs) in a context with displaced populations.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Strategy (Refugee & Host Focus)

• Lead the technical design and implementation of market systems development and diversified livelihood strategies tailored to address the specific vulnerabilities and opportunities faced by both refugee and host communities.oUse a strong understanding of livelihood strategy and principles to make interventions conflict sensitive, sustainable, inclusive, and contextually appropriate for both populations.
• Develop project work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks on livelihoods and market systems, paying close attention to the refugee-host dynamics.

Crop and Livestock Production Enhancement:

• Enhance crop and livestock productivity in the refugee and host communities, considering the diversity in resource access and agricultural practices. It involves climatic smart agriculture, improved breeds as well as value addition.
• Link refugee and host producers to markets in ways that will enable both producers to have fair and profitable opportunities to participate in trade and also to trade with each other.

On-Farm and Off-Farm Income Generation:

• Develop and promote a variety of on farm (e.g., Animal fattening, small scale irrigation) and offfarm (e.g., small businesses, vocational skills) income generating opportunities for both refugee and host community members.

• Offer tailored technical support and capacity building to individual and groups involved in these activities.

Fishery Production and Marketing:

• Evaluate the opportunity for sustainable fishery production and marketing in the project area based on the resources and capabilities of both refugee and host communities.
• Develop and implement strategies for improvement in fishing techniques, post-harvest handling, processing, and market access of fish products.
• To promote sustainable fishing practices and conservation efforts.

Access to youth and women finance:

• Targeted efforts to increase access to finance for youth and women in both refugee and host communities through digital financial services (DFS), financial literacy, basics business skills, and Sharia compliant finance options.
• Work closely with Financial Service Providers (FSPs) to co develop and roll out differentiated financial products and services that address the specific needs and barriers faced by youth and women in these communities.

• Facilitating financial literacy training and promoting responsible financial behavior, with gender sensitive and youth focus.

Market Systems Analysis and Development (Refugee & Host Lens):

• Conduct market assessments and value chain analysis that specifically consider the interactions and dependencies between refugee and host communities, identifying constraints and opportunities for inclusive market development.
• Design and facilitate interventions that address systemic constraints and promote the functioning of resilient market systems that benefit both populations and foster social cohesion.
• Foster collaboration and partnerships with relevant market actors, including private sector entities, government agencies, and organizations working with refugees.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Develop and deliver training programs for project staff, partner organizations, and target communities (including both refugees and host community members) on market systems development, livelihood diversification, crop and livestock production, on and off-farm activities, fishery production and marketing, and financial literacy.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and technical support to project teams and partners working with both communities.

Refugee & Host Focus: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Help develop and implement monitoring and evaluation systems to monitor progress and assess the impact of livelihood and market systems interventions on both the refugee and host communities, including indicators on social cohesion.
• Review data, identify lessons learned, and contribute to the project’s reports and knowledge sharing, comparing the differential impacts and successes for each community.

Coordination and Representation:

• Represent Mercy Corps in relevant forums and meetings on livelihood, market development and refugee issues in Gambella.
• Work closely with other project staff and partners to integrate program implementation that meets the needs of both refugee and host communities.
• Have effective working relationship with local authorities, community leaders (both communities) and other stakeholders such as UNHCR and other refugee focused organizations.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Trade4Peace Project Coordinator

Works Directly With: project coordinator, Agricultural and inclusive financial service specialists, project officers.

Minimum Qualification and Transferable Skills

• BA degree in Business, Business Administration, Economics, finance and development, agricultural economics, Business Management or related social science fields.
• At least 5 years of work experience, preferably in MSD programs, especially output and input services, urban/Rural labor market, business development services, technical skills training, agricultural/non- agricultural value chains, inclusive financial services, product & strategy development.
• Managerial and supervisory experience and demonstrated partnership management skills are preferred.
• Previous work experience in the private sector, including financial sector, and international development organization is an advantage.
• Understanding of Markets Systems Development Approach (MSD) approach is needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required.

Success Factors

Excellent demonstrated intercultural, interpersonal and negotiation skills, strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, facilitation, partnerships, and networking skills with a wide range of private, partner and NGO-sector actors. Excellent in computer, and internet skills, curious, with great problem-solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Gambella town with frequent movement to project woredas which is Itang special woreda and Gog woreda for including host community and refugees.

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.

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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.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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 / 4:00 PM

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