Project Officer-Bokolmayo CAMP, Dreams Project

Location: Somali, Ethiopia

Organization: Mercy Corps

Deadline:  04 August 2026

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.

Location: Bokolmayo Camp -Somali Region- Ethiopia

Position Status: Full-time or Part-time, Exempt or Non-exempt, Regular or Temporary

Salary Level: (Refer to the relevant salary scale)

Risk Level:     ☐ Level 3       ☐Level 2         ☐Level 1

(Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

The DREAMS program aims to improve the well-being of 100,000 women, children, and men over five years for refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Working with refugees and host communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia. The program will integrate two proven models – poverty graduation and Market Systems Development – layering these approaches in a new way that will ensure that the poorest households can improve their income and well-being significantly and maintain  Mercy Corps will lead the Market Systems component of the program and will be responsible for developing market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful and supporting the operating environment for businesses and communities to thrive

The Position (General Position Summary)

Project Officer responsible for leading ward and camp-level DREAMS interventions, supervising BGS, PSA, and community agents, facilitating market assessments and livelihood support, ensuring equitable participation of women and smallholders, and preparing periodic reports on achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.

Essential Responsibilities

Project Officer.

• Lead ward and camp-level interventions under the DREAMS framework.
• Ensure all activities follow evidence-based guidance and donor directives.
• Develop monthly work plans aligned with quarterly project targets.
• Provide supportive supervision to BGS, PSA, and community agents.
• Conduct spot checks and field visits to monitor PSA performance.
• Organize training, coaching, and review meetings for business groups, and provide guidance to agricultural production groups.
• Build strong relationships with RRS, local government offices, private sector actors, and community leaders.
• Facilitate linkages among traders, cooperatives, MFIs, and local groups to strengthen socio-economic development.
• Collaborate with the M&E team to ensure data quality and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Document best practices and success stories for donor communication.
• Support integration of Market Systems Development (MSD) and poverty graduation models to improve household income.
• Facilitate market assessments, business planning, and livelihood support activities for beneficiaries.
• Ensure equitable participation of women and smallholders in project benefits..

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

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: livestock and crop production coordinator

Works Directly With: all program teams and operation and finance and consortium partners,

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

• Excellent communicator in English with demonstrated excellent report writing and speaking skills, knowledge of local languages very advantageous.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.
• 5 years’ experience in livelihood projects.
• Degree in rural development and Agr-Economics, Agro-business, environmental science, and relevant field, or equivalent experience
• Strong organizational and managerial skills
• Experience or working in the Somali region with strong contextual knowledge of local cultures and ways of working.
• Ability and experience (a plus) working in refugee and host communities in Dollo Ado,
• Knowledge of the Somali language
• Experience effectively initiating and maintaining productive relationships with private, public, civil society, and research sector partners.
• Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint)

Success Factors

Define the specific behavior and attitudes critical to success in the position at time of hire and as it develops over time in paragraph form (soft skills).

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 this: >> 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: 04 August, 2026