Cash and Livelihood Officer

Job Description

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, working in rural, peri-urban and urban areas in five regional states – Somali, Oromia, Afar, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples, Amhara – and the capital city of Addis Ababa. We engage in both development and humanitarian work, and seek to integrate approaches, programs and geographies as much as possible. Our partners include government, academic institutions, development and private sector actors, civil societies and communities. Mercy Corps envisions contributing to the emergence of a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic focus in the country includes promoting dynamic and inclusive markets; natural resource management; peace and social cohesion, and humanitarian responses. In Ethiopia, some of our donors include USAID, SIDA, EU, DFID, and WFP.

Mercy Corps Ethiopia with the financial assistance from USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is implementing humanitarian response to the crisis in Afar (HURECA) project in Aba’ala, Erebti and Megalle woredas of Zone 2, Afar region. The project provides WASH, Shelter NFI, and Livelihood (Livestock and Cash) for conflict-affected individuals residing in the three target Woredas until June 30, 2024. The main objective of the project is to meet their basic needs through provision of WASH services, essential NFIs, livelihoods (livestock support and the multipurpose cash assistance) needed to promote dignified individual and community recovery. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.

Position Title:  Cash and Livelihood Officer

Duty Station: Aba’la Zone 2, Afar region 

Open Position:  1

Duration of the project: 10 Months

Position Summary

The Cash and Livelihood Officer will be responsible for planning, implementation, supervision and reporting of Humanitarian Response to the Crisis in Afar (HURECA) project focused on Livelihood and Multipurpose Cash Assistance sectors for highly vulnerable IDPs/returnees/ conflict affected community program participants to support them in meeting their basic needs. The position holder will monitor the context and implementation environment to ensure it remains conducive for livelihood and multipurpose cash assistance interventions for future expansion; and work with other sectors (WASH and Shelter and settlement) for better integration and synergies to maximize the impact for program participants. This position requires an individual who is accustomed to the pace of emergency response progr.   She/he will also be responsible for identifying priority needs, target beneficiaries, establishing relationships with local government, facilitating and follow up of proper distribution and documentation of cash payments to beneficiaries. amming, does not require close supervision or direction, and is flexible and highly responsive.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of Livelihood and cash transfer Activities in the project.
• Lead beneficiary identification, selection and independent or joint verification processes as per jointly set criteria to ensure impartiality, in coordination with project team members, local authorities and communities.
• Ensuring that cash assistance is delivered to targeted beneficiaries as per predetermined targeting criteria.
• Establish and maintain transparent and functional relationships with target communities and local government at project sites.
• Actively participate in Rapid Assessments, market assessments, capacity assessment of Financial Service Providers (FSP), and other digital cash transfer.
• Ensure that the program resources are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner and handed over or completed in a way that promotes local capacities and sustainable operations.
• Prepare and update the cash transfer lists as per the agreed work plan and template in liaison with finance department and county level cash minimum standard advisor and ensure Mercy Corps minimum cash standard operating procedures are followed.
• Liaise with local authorities and NGOs in the field to avoid duplication and exclusion/inclusion errors and guarantee the continuous cross check of program participant list
• In collaboration with MC MEL team conduct post-distribution monitoring (PDM) for cash transfers to ensure the program quality and collect lesson learned.
• Works closely with the MEL officer to generate practical information that can be used for on-going project decision making while also capturing results at outcome levels.
• Prepare quarterly, semiannual and annual performance reports for the activities under his/her responsibility.
• Keep record of all required documents related to cash program, beneficiary selection, distribution and post distribution monitoring.
• Collect, register and report client’s feedback and complaints.
• Ensure consistent reporting and documentation to improve program efficiency and quality.
• Ensure mainstreaming of MC Ethiopia’s cross-cutting issues of gender equity, Child Safeguarding.
• Work closely with all stakeholders and ensure the community participation in the project activities.
• Work closely in a team with other project officers and contribute to the maximum of his /her knowledge to the project team in his/her areas of profession as deemed necessary.
• Perform other functions as requested by the immediate supervisor.

Strategy & Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

 Program Management

• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as WASH, and capacity building of partners.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Finance & Compliance Management
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

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.

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.

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.

Job Requirements

• Has BA/Bsc/Msc/MA degree from a recognized university in Business Management, Economics, Rural development and agricultural extension, and related fields.
• At least four years proven work experience in humanitarian organization(s) in CVA and livelihood programming preferably with IDPs and returnees related programmes, or project management in relief and recovery programmes.
• At least 2 years’ experience in an international NGO preferably in an emergency or post-conflict setting.
• Experience with and knowledge of national Livelihood strategy and Humanitarian principles and standards.
• Analytic and computer skills, including MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, design packages.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of gender, equity, diversity, inclusion and PSHEA (safeguarding) through programming experience.
• TOT or any training in Cash and Vouchers Programming is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• A strong understanding of Market systems development and livelihoods programming
• Skills in preparation of detailed activity plans and work plans, conducting assessments and evaluations, reporting, and proposal writing.
• Knowledge and experience of working in pastoral areas of Afar region.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills with a wide range of actors across geographical areas
• Fluent in English, Fluent in Afar languages
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position advertised. All applications must be submitted electronically including a CV, three references, and all relevant official documents.

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: 15 July 2023/ 4:00 PM