Driver BAHIR DAR – East Africa Land Border Security Program (EALBSP)

Location: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Organization: Mercy Corps

Deadline: September 15, 2026

Job Description

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 long term impact.

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, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the U.S. Department of State, the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the United Nations (UN), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), and a range of other institutional and private foundations.

Location: Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

This position is contingent upon confirmation of program funding.

Salary Level: Based on the relevant Mercy Corps Ethiopia salary scale

Risk Level: Level 2

The Program / Department / Team

East Africa Land Border Security Program – Ethiopia

The East Africa Land Border Security Program (EALBSP) is an FCDO-funded regional program designed to disrupt organized immigration crime (OIC) and contribute to safer borders and safer communities. The program works through four mutually reinforcing outcome areas: evidence and analysis; stronger law-enforcement capability; community engagement, reporting and early warning; and witness support and protection.

In Ethiopia, EALBSP is implemented as a dedicated country component aligned with the regional program, Ethiopian law and institutions, Government of Ethiopia priorities, and the realities of selected border and migration corridors. Mercy Corps works with relevant government institutions at federal, regional and local levels, consortium partners, Ethiopian civil-society and specialist partners, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen existing systems and locally grounded responses rather than establish parallel structures. Program implementation is evidence-led, conflict-sensitive, rights-respecting and adaptive to changing border, migration and operational dynamics.

The Position

The Driver will provide safe, reliable and efficient transport services for EALBSP-Ethiopia staff, authorized visitors, partners and program materials in support of program activities within the assigned area and to other program locations as required. The Driver is responsible for the safe operation and routine care of assigned Mercy Corps vehicles, accurate vehicle records, compliance with Mercy Corps transport, safety and security procedures, and timely reporting of vehicle condition and maintenance needs. The role may require travel to remote and border locations and flexibility to support authorized program movements outside normal office hours when required.

Essential Responsibilities

DRIVING AND VEHICLE MANAGEMENT

•  Safely operate assigned Mercy Corps vehicles in accordance with Ethiopian traffic laws, Mercy Corps policies and supervisor instructions.
•  Provide timely and reliable transport for EALBSP staff, authorized visitors and partners to program activities, meetings and field locations, and transport authorized program materials as required.
•  Maintain complete and accurate vehicle log sheets, mileage and fuel records, and other transport documentation in accordance with Mercy Corps procedures.
•  Conduct routine pre-trip and post-trip vehicle checks and promptly report faults, damage, maintenance needs or other concerns to the supervisor or designated transport focal point.
•  Keep the assigned vehicle clean, roadworthy, appropriately fuelled and ready for authorized use, including ensuring that required tools, first-aid supplies, spare tyre and other vehicle equipment are present and serviceable.
•  Support timely servicing and maintenance of the assigned vehicle as directed and follow up on identified repair needs.
•  Safeguard vehicle keys, documents, equipment and other items entrusted to the Driver during program movements.

SAFETY, SECURITY AND PROGRAMME SUPPORT 

•  Follow Mercy Corps safety, security, communication, journey-management and movement procedures at all times, including instructions issued for specific routes or field movements.
•  Remain alert to road, weather and security conditions and promptly report incidents, hazards, delays or safety concerns through the appropriate Mercy Corps reporting channels.
•  Undertake field assignments, including travel to remote and border locations, and work outside normal office hours or on weekends when authorized and required by program needs.
•  Provide courteous and professional support to staff, visitors and partners and assist, when required, with the safe loading and unloading of authorized program materials.
•  Provide reasonable office and logistics support when not engaged in driving duties, as requested by the supervisor.
•  Conduct themselves professionally and in a manner consistent with Mercy Corps values, policies and Code of Conduct, including respect for the dignity and safety of colleagues, partners and program participants.
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Field Program Coordinator – Bahir Dar, or designated supervisor

Works Directly With: EALBSP-Ethiopia program team; Mercy Corps Ethiopia Operations; Security and Risk Coordinator; authorized visitors; partners; and relevant support departments.

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

•  Valid Ethiopian driving licence appropriate for the class of vehicle to be operated, with an acceptable driving record.
•  At least three years of professional driving experience; experience with an NGO/INGO, government, diplomatic mission or comparable field-based organization is preferred.
•  Demonstrated knowledge of Ethiopian traffic laws, defensive driving practices, road safety and safe driving in both urban and field conditions.
•  Ability to carry out routine vehicle inspections, identify basic mechanical issues, and maintain accurate vehicle, mileage, fuel and maintenance records.
•  Experience driving on unpaved or remote roads and willingness to travel to field and border areas; experience operating 4×4 vehicles is strongly preferred.
•  Basic literacy and numeracy sufficient to complete logbooks and routine transport forms, with the ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with staff, visitors and partners; working knowledge of Amharic is required; basic English communication skills are an advantage. Knowledge of additional local languages relevant to program areas is desirable.
•  Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings or weekends, and to undertake field travel as program needs require.

Success Factors

The successful Driver will demonstrate a strong commitment to safe and defensive driving, reliability, punctuality, integrity and careful stewardship of Mercy Corps vehicles and equipment. They will be calm and solutions-oriented, able to follow instructions and security protocols, communicate respectfully with diverse colleagues, partners and visitors, and work effectively in changing field conditions. Flexibility, sound judgement, cultural sensitivity, discretion and willingness to support program needs outside normal working hours when required are important.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia, and requires regular travel to program sites and other locations as assigned, including remote and border or transit areas where road, communications, security conditions and amenities may be limited. Travel may at times require early departures, extended driving hours or overnight stays in accordance with Mercy Corps travel and security procedures. The Driver is expected to remain flexible and comply with all movement restrictions, journey-management requirements and safety guidance.

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

Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

How to Apply

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

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: September 15, 2026