REGIONAL PROJECT COORDINATOR/TECHNICAL LEAD

Location: Abala, Ethiopia

Organization: Mercy Corps

Deadline: 20 February 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 United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

Location: Abala, Afar region, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full Time

Current Team Member: 

Program / Department Summary

ER-CAP is a 5-year project (December 2023-Nov. 2028 G.C) by Mercy Corps, DRC, and First Consult Development. It aims to improve the economic adaptation, protection, and recovery of conflict-affected populations in three regions: Afar (Abaala), Tigray (Mekelle), and Amhara (Woldiya). The program will benefit 43,540 individuals, focusing on IDPs, returnee women, youth and marginalized groups. It uses a conflict-sensitive, systems-strengthening, climate-smart and inclusive approach to enhance systems that support economic recovery. The expected outcomes include resilient livelihoods, improved access to financial products and services, and enhanced capacity to mitigate protection risks.

ER-CAP aims to improve the economic condition of conflict-affected communities by strengthening MSMEs, improving crop and livestock value chains, and providing income-generating opportunities. It includes providing affordable financial products and technology through partnerships with financial service providers, conducting GESI dialogues, and identifying business ideas for economic activities in displacement settings.

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced, qualified Project Coordinator to lead the implementation of the ER CAP Project, including technical, managerial and operational coordination and management of the project in the target locations, This is an exciting opportunity to combine Economic Recovery, financial inclusion & MSD programming, and a unique opportunity to become a leading expert in the economic recovery sector in crisis affected contexts. The Regional Project Coordinator will be responsible for the effective planning, implementation, and coordination of a Market Systems Development (MSD) project across  Abala within a post-conflict environment. This role requires a strong understanding of conflict dynamics, market fragility, and the specific needs of vulnerable populations. The coordinator will work closely with project teams, partners, and stakeholders to rebuild and strengthen market systems, promoting economic recovery, social cohesion, and resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

Context Analysis, Market Assessment and Intervention Development

• Work closely with the MSD project coordinator, the Program Manager and program team members to develop a strategy for achieving the objectives and KPIs of the ER-CAP programme.
• Lead assessments and analysis across all target locations (including needs, markets and conflict), drawing on external technical expertise as needed;
• Develop and implement innovative market-based interventions, including viable business models focusing agriculture (on-farm off-farm activities) enterprise engagement, skills development, labour market and access to finance that address the root causes of market failure and promote inclusive economic growth/market system strengthening.
• Lead the process of mapping key market actors, value chains, and support services, considering the disruption caused by conflict, onboarding and managing market players (partners) that contribute both to sustainable and inclusive growth and to anticipated project results.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.

Project Coordination and Management:

• Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the MSD project within the assigned region, ensuring alignment with project goals and donor requirements.
• Adapt project strategies and activities to the evolving security and political context, ensuring conflict sensitivity and risk mitigation.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans, budgets, and monitoring frameworks, adjusting them as needed based on the dynamic environment.
• Coordinate and facilitate regular project team meetings, partner meetings, and stakeholder consultations, focusing on collaboration and information sharing.
• Oversee project communication and visibility strategies, ensuring they are culturally appropriate and sensitive to the local context.
• Ensure effective risk management and mitigation strategies are in place, particularly addressing security concerns and potential conflict triggers.
• Coordinate, manage and motivate program teams across all implementation locations, ensuring they have clear objectives / individual work plans as part of performance management, and receive meaningful feedback on their performance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders within the region, fostering strong relationships and promoting collaboration.
• 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.

Regional Team Support and Supervision

• Lead and manage recruitment of staff recruitment in close collaboration with MSD project coordinator.
• Provide guidance and support to regional project teams, ensuring they understand and implement MSD approaches.
• Supervise and mentor regional project staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among regional team members, addressing potential conflicts and promoting team cohesion.
• Ensure that regional teams have the necessary resources and support to achieve project objectives, including security and logistical considerations.
• Monitor regional project progress and identify areas for improvement, adapting strategies to the changing context.
• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.
• Develop the capacity of the program team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Partner and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, local businesses, community leaders, and other key stakeholders within the region.
• Coordinate and facilitate partner meetings and workshops, promoting dialogue and collaboration.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with project partners, addressing any challenges or issues that arise.
• Identify and engage with vulnerable and marginalized groups, ensuring their participation in project activities.
• Represent the project at relevant forums and events, advocating for market-based approaches to economic recovery and social cohesion.
• Closely work with consortium partners (DRC&FC) organization to integrate innovation and access to financial services and products.
• Closely work with DRC to integrate priority protection issues across institutions, private and public sector partners

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Oversee the implementation of the project’s MEAL system within the region, adapting it to the challenges of a post-conflict context.
• Ensure timely and accurate data collection and reporting, addressing potential security and access constraints.
• Analyze project data and prepare regular progress reports for management and donors, highlighting key findings and challenges.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor project activities and collect data, ensuring safety and security protocols are followed.
• Contribute to the development of project evaluations and impact assessments, focusing on the project’s contribution to economic recovery and social cohesion.
• Produce high quality reports including annual donor narrative report.
• Oversee the documentation and filing systems for all programs in the portfolio, and ensure that information is organized according to MC, Donor and government reporting requirements. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Ensure that lessons learned are documented and shared, contributing to the development of best practices for MSD in post-conflict environments.
• Ensure program teams have community complaint and feedback mechanisms in place and that complaints and feedback being received are responded to within a timely manner.

Financial Management and Administration:

• Monitor project budgets and expenditures within the region, ensuring compliance with MC and donor financial management policies and procedures..
• Review and approve project expenditures and financial reports, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure proper documentation and record-keeping, adhering to organizational and donor requirements.

• 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.

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

Two on-farm and off-farm/employment MSD and one MEL and CARM officer.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: ER-CAP Consortium Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: ER-CAP Program Manager, MEL/MRM manager, DRC and FC Program Manager/s and/or Coordinators MEL-CARM officer, MSD on-farm and off-farm/employment specialist, GESI Advisor, Operations, Finance and P&C(HR) team.

Knowledge and Experience

Education:

 Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, development studies, agricultural economics, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred. Specific education and training in  minimum economic recovery and standards, especially on MSD facilitation and coordination in conflict affected contexts  , will be an advantage

Experience:

• 4+ years of experience in economic development such as minimum economic recovery and standards, market analysis value chain development, livelihood recovery, entrepreneurship, employment and financial inclusion     in Ethiopia
• Experience in providing technical support MSD projects with accountability for project performance and design. Experience with agriculture and alternative livelihoods in conflict prone areas is
• At least five years of experience designing, implementing and managing similar MSD and livelihood initiatives (private sector partnership, economic strengthening, and market systems development) is necessary.
• Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners is required.
• 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;
• Excellent MEL, data analytics and quantitative skills are strongly preferred;
• 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 IDP and refugee settlements especially in the Afar 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 Afar Region. S/he will be an excellent communicator, have a strong sense of humor, multi-tasker, and be able to work in 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

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.

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 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: >>https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/.

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: 20 February 2026, 4:00 AM