RIPA NUTRITION 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, academic institutions, 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, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa 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: RIPA NUTRITION TEAM LEAD

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Open Position: 1

Program / Department Summary

The Resilience in Pastoral Areas Activity (RIPA-North) aims to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets and governance institutions across the Somali, Afar and Oromia regions. Mercy Corps, in partnership with CARE, are implementing an integrated program to address underlying causes of vulnerability to shocks and stresses, contributing to enhanced food security and inclusive economic growth for over 129,129 households in the three regions of Somali, Afar and Oromia.

General Position Summary

The Nutrition Team Lead will provide leadership and oversight over the programs nutrition interventions. The individual is responsible for overall planning, coordination, and implementation of nutrition activities in the RIPA program, ensuring interventions achieve maximum impact while remaining on schedule and budget. The individual will work closely with other members of the senior management team and private and public sector stakeholders in designing and implementing innovative nutrition and behavior change approaches.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The below highlights the responsibilities of the Nutrition Team Lead:

Strategy & Vision

• Support the Chief of Party in creating an environment in which the RIPA strategy and vision is achieved, and all Component 4 Nutrition team members are contributing to the vision.

Program Management

Nutrition Team Lead:

• Oversee program and technical start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work- plans, and ensure the delivery of the same.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as
• Provide managerial and programmatic technical oversight to partners and sub-grantee(s).
• Document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated.
• Use adaptive management in the re-evaluation of program activities based of evidence-based data and make appropriate.

activity adjustments in keeping with new insights.

• Produce written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities.
• Lead the oversight and coordination of the four RIPA local NGO partners, including monitoring progress against targets and budget.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites - spend up to 50% of time in the field.
• Other RIPA Program Management responsibilities, as required.

Team Management

• Recruitment, Key performance appraisal and mentorship of Component 4 team
• Working with the RIPA CoP, support the development of the capacity of the C4 team, deepen understanding of their roles.
• Assist Component 4 team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Support the RIPA CoP to develop a team culture and support mechanisms to ensure team well-being

Finance & Compliance Management

• Quarterly budget forecast for Component 4 budget
• Annual and Quarterly BVA meeting with COP and Grants & Subaward Manager

Influence & Representation

• Active contributor and collaborator with regional and global counterparts to promote the use of best nutrition and WASH practices.
• Strengthen linkages with other internal resources, including the Digital Library, Hub, and workplace, to enhance organizational learning.
• Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other relevant international NGOs, and local NGOs and associations in Ethiopia and East Africa.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Be a thought partner for the RIPA Chief of Party on implementation of Component 4 including in the recruitment of diverse team and promoting inclusive and safe work environment including supporting early career team members to fulfil their professional goals)
• Lead by example to promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.
• Understand and be aware of 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

• Monitor the security situation in RIPA areas and support communication and compliance with Mercy Corps security procedures and policies in Ethiopia.
• 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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervisory responsibility for the Senior Nutrition and SBCC advisor and field Nutrition and WASH Coordinators.

Accountability

Reports Directly To:RIPA Chief of Party

Works Directly With:

• Other Team Leads
• CLA team
• Operations, Finance and Human Resources

Knowledge and Experience

• Masters degree in nutrition, public health, or a related field
• At least seven years of relevant nutrition and SBCC experience with positions of progressively greater responsibilities and at least two years of experience working in the field in low- or middle-income countries.
• Demonstrated technical and successful expertise in both nutrition specific and sensitive interventions.
• Experience working in projects that use the Market Systems Development approaches.
• Experience with the development, implementation & compliance of donor funded programs.
• Strong understanding of USAID rules, regulations, and compliance issues
• Established ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.
• Preference given to candidates with prior experience in Ethiopia.
• An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to manage government relationships.
• Excellent report-writing skills

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

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 worlds 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 IASCand have signed on to theInteragency 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 toMercy Corps Code of Conduct Policiesand values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.