PSNP LIVELIHOODS TECHNICAL SPECIALIST HIGHLAND RESILIENCE ACTIVITY

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 a long-term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector, and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidaama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray, and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (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 is a five-year program that started during October 2023. The HRA encompasses thirty-six woredas across ten zones located in six regions: Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, Sidaama, Southern, and Central Ethiopia. HRA's subaward partners include Mums for Mums, Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development, Hundee - Oromo Grassroots Development Initiative, Action for Development, and the Sidaama Development Association.

Position Description

• Location: Addis Ababa
• Position Status: Full-time
• Salary Level: (Refer to Country Salary Guidelines)
• Current Team Member: N/A
• Safeguarding Risk Level: Level 1

General Position Summary

The PSNP Livelihoods Technical Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the design, pilot, and implementation of the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5 Big Push Plus model within the targeted woredas of Highland Resilience Activity. This position will focus on building the capacity of local implementing partners to pilot the implementation of the livelihoods implementation manual of the government of Ethiopia aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable populations through technical guidance, capacity building, and coordination.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical Support and Implementation

• Participate in the development of the overall graduation strategy and the strategy for the program across implementing partners.
• Provide expert advice and technical support for the implementation of big push plus livelihoods activities under the targeted woredas.
• Support the planning and reporting of the big push plus livelihoods component and ensure the rollout/introduction of the material to kebeles across the targeted woredas.
• Support the implementation and coordination of the big push plus big push plus livelihood component of the PSNP 5 in the targeted woredas.
• Provide technical support to improve the effectiveness of the big push plus Livelihoods component through capacity building, business intensification, and strengthened coordination to the local implementing partners.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of detailed work plans, technical guidelines, and learning tools for implementing partners.
• Identify and resolve challenges in the implementation of big push plus livelihoods activities, promoting continuous learning and quality improvement.

Capacity Building

• Support capacity building and coaching on big push plus Livelihood training modules and tools in the area of market assessment, identifying the big push plus livelihood menu of options, viable business packages, etc.
• Develop and deliver training programs to build the capacity of local staff and partners in livelihoods programming and graduation approach.
• Support capacity development efforts through the provision of training to federal and regional livelihoods staff.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with consortium-level subrecipient organizations to ensure they are issuing, managing, and monitoring the implementation of the big push plus livelihood interventions in accordance with the PSNP Livelihood Implementation manual.
• Support regional big push plus livelihoods coordination through meeting facilitation, information sharing, and partner mobilization.
• Collaborate with government agencies at all levels, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated and effective delivery of big push plus livelihoods services.
• Support the coordination and rollout of the Livelihood component at the national level.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support the MEL team in building a data collection system with MIS-generated information and complementary data
• Participate in joint reviews and implementation support.
• Coordinate the digitalization of business plans, inputs, and outputs market aggregation.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare regular reports on the progress and impact of big push plus livelihoods activities of HRA for internal and external stakeholders.
• Document the practices for implementing sequenced big push plus livelihoods interventions.
• Assist with and lead processes that can help generate/document evidence of program performance and impact to inform future design.

Influence & 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.
• Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.
• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of Their own strengths and development needs.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None 

Accountability

Reports: HRA Deputy Chief of Party

Works Directly With: the HRA Technical team, local implementing partners program managers, HRA regional program coordinators, HQ Compliance, and others

Knowledge and Experience

• Education: Advanced degree in Agriculture, Economics, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in livelihoods programming, preferably within the context of PSNP or similar programs. An understanding of the status of CSOs in Ethiopia and the challenges to strengthening the capacities of civil society is an advantage.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills are required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments

Success Factors

A successful candidate should have experience and expertise in livelihood program implementation in Ethiopia. They should also have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving. They should have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem-solve, work within a complex and sensitive setting, and follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team 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.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and 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.

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 a 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.

How To Apply

All qualified staff are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically.

“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 empowering women and youth.”

                    DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: August 11, 2024/ 4:00 PM