PROGRAM COORDINATOR – Jijiga, Ethiopia

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 People’s 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. Powering infrastructure in relief settings, where clinics, offices, communications towers, water pumping stations and other necessary services are commonly fueled by diesel generators, represents a substantial economic burden for humanitarian agencies & for the businesses and households located in refugee settlements and host communities. The expansion of off-grid electricity services above household scale in humanitarian settings is limited by a lack of reliable ‘anchor’ customers upon which bankable business models can be based. The application of renewable energy in the humanitarian sector is hampered by the initial higher upfront cost of solar and other renewable installations compared with diesel generators, and the perception that any investments must be short-term due to the outdated nature of humanitarian response funding cycles.

Position Title:  PROGRAM COORDINATOR

 Duty Station: Jijiga

 Open Position:  1

 Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has conducted a baseline study on energy access in Jijiga, Somali Region, which has resulted in the development of a scalable, replicable model for integrated renewable electrification that would improve operational sustainability for humanitarian organizations while enabling better service delivery for people living in refugee settlements and host communities. Mercy Corps will undertake this effort in collaboration with private sector actors to ensure sustainability of the business model proposed and with the aim to reach scale for access to energy in displacement settings for all segments of the population.

General Position Summary

The Program Coordinator will have overall responsibility for the field leadership, coordination and implementation of the project in the Sheder camp of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. This is an exciting opportunity to combine innovative energy & Market Systems Development (MSD) programming, and a unique opportunity to become a leading expert in applying sustainable energy access approaches to refugee contexts.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and vision

• General support of the planning and implementation of the Enter Energy strategy and vision.
• Contribution to monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management of all relevant activities within his/her component.

Program management

●In coordination with Team Lead and program team members, support program management, administration and closeout of programme. Ensure implementation is on time, target and budget.

● Work with the program teams to ensure close relationships with key government partners, at all levels;

●Monitor work and targets closely to ensure that programs are able to provide maximum benefit to our beneficiaries within program timeframes;

●Work closely with team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ gender policies, Do No Harm principles and beneficiary accountability standards;

● Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities;

● Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. Plan, prepare and implement project activities in support of the Productive Use of Energy (PUE) livelihoods portfolio of the component. These shall have particular focus on technical aspects and encompass, amongst others

• Assess the needs and appropriateness for specific or general PUE-related electric appliances that are to be promoted during under the project’s PUE activities including creating the necessary partnerships for the financing of such appliance
• Support and supervise and verify the development of PUE training concepts, training plans and training materials with regards to technical aspects.
• Provide any PUE-related technical advisory required by public- and private sector actors relevant for this undertaking.
• Supervise PUE trainings and other capacity development measures for the relevant target groups.
• Lead the identification, development and promotion of key value chains and trades that will improve the livelihoods of target participants especially value chains that uses energy.

Team Management

●Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

● Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

● Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

●  Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

 Finance and compliance Management

●Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations related to programming and operations.

●With support of the Operations Manager, ensure adequate operational systems are in place to provide for programs implementation;

●Ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the programs are conducted within Mercy Corps policy;

●Manage program budgets as the primary budget holder;

●Exercise sound judgment to ensure projects’ expenses are reasonable, allocable and prudent. Ensure all projects’ funds are spent in accordance with donor rules and regulations. Work with Director of Programs to forecast expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments;

● Strictly follow Mercy Corps’ Fraud and Prevention guidelines.

influence and Representation

●Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with other organizations and institutions working on energy solutions for refugees.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

·Be a thought partner 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.

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.

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.

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.

Knowledge and Experience

●      A degree preferably in business administration, public administration or international development preferred.

●      Experience in livelihood programming for displaced populations in Ethiopia

●      Strong expertise in market systems development programming is a plus

●      Strong analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to solve complex problems

●      At least three years of experience leading programs

●      Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is required.

●      Fluent in both spoken and written Somali language.

●      Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English are required.

●      Strong leadership and proven team building experience is necessary.

●      Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

●      Excellent coordination and representation experience is needed, especially in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partner agencies and government agencies;

●      Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments, is required. Experience in working in refugee settlements especially in the Somali Region is preferred.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have the ability and curiosity to work comfortably and effectively in the cultural, relatively poor infrastructure of the Somali Region. S/he will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and able to work difficult and often stressful environments. S/he will be committed to the work of Mercy Corps and the objectives of this program. They will demonstrate their dedication with a strong work ethic, attention to detail and creative problem solving. The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Ethiopia.

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.

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.