Mercy Corps is hiring a
Position is contingent on new funding
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.
Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, the private sector, and 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 to the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia that is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus on 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 seeking a qualified Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to provide senior-level technical and managerial leadership for the anticipated, USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) in Ethiopia. HRA will strengthen resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands through increased public and private investments. HRA will facilitate the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative by supporting 120,000 PSNP households to move above the graduation threshold, to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and where they have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. HRA will achieve this goal by increasing demand-driven income opportunities for households and strengthening resilient systems through diverse investments. HRA will be a five-year program with an expected start date during late 2022.
Under the guidance of the Chief of Party (COP), the DCOP will provide leadership, management, and strategic vision for the implementation of HRA, ensuring that the program meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget. The DCOP will supervise HRA program teams, oversee technical and field operations, and play a key role in building productive working relationships with program partners and stakeholders, while ensuring accountability to Mercy Corps policies as well as donor rules and regulations.
STRATEGY AND PLANNING
TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
TEAM MANAGEMENT
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
Supervise HRA field office/regional hubs managers. The number of direct and indirect reports will be determined at a later stage.
Reports Directly To: HRA Chief of Party
Works Directly With: HRA senior leaders (key personnel and component leads); Mercy Corps Ethiopia senior leaders (including the Director of Programs, Program Performance and Quality Director, and well as key staff from finance, HR, and operations); Mercy Corps regional program team; and HQ Technical Support Unit.
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.
The successful DCOP will combine exceptional team management skills and experience in maintaining stakeholder relationships. They will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving, and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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.
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is an accompanied position and housing is available in family accommodation with good freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are several international schools in the city and staff have access to basic services (electricity, water, sporadic internet, etc). Medical facilities are basic with international clinics able to provide emergency services. This position requires up to 40% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.
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.
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.
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.
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.