TIGRAY REGION PROGRAM COORDINATOR – HIGHLAND RESILIENCE ACTIVITY -MEKELE, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA

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.

Program / Department Summary

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

The USAID-funded Highland Resilience Activity (HRA) – will contribute to the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) 5’s “Big Push” initiative and has the overarching goal of strengthening resilience among vulnerable households in Ethiopia’s Highlands, resulting in 120,000 PSNP households reaching the graduation threshold. HRA will support these households in moving above the graduation threshold and to where they no longer require social safety net programming for household food security and have the capabilities and assets to withstand regular and predictable shocks. The Activity will achieve this goal by directly supporting households in increasing their on-farm, off-farm, and employment incomes while facilitating improvements in the market systems required to increase demand for goods and services in PSNP communities. HRA is a five-year program that starts in October 2023.

General Position Summary

Under the direction and management support from the Deputy Chief of Party (COP), the HRA Tigray region Program Coordinator is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Tigray region HRA project in targeted woredas of southern and southeastern zones. S/he ensures all project initiatives are implemented to achieve maximum impact as per program and project objectives while remaining on schedule and budget. The HRA Tigray region Program Coordinator directly manages the field-level program team, finance, and operation teams. S/he will work with the implementing partner, the Addis-based HRA team to ensure that HRA project objectives are implemented effectively through each objective. Her/his close working relationships with all technical units ensure program activities are carried out according to the highest standards and remain responsive and appropriate to the local context.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY & VISION

• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to program-level, regional and countrywide strategy development.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Monitor and evaluate the program outcomes and impacts using robust MEL systems and tools and ensure alignment with Mercy Corps’ standards and donor requirements.
• Manage the program budget and financial resources in a transparent and efficient manner, and report on the program progress and challenges regularly.
• Follow Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards, Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards in all program activities.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the technical and operational support teams to ensure integration and synergy among the program components.
• Use CLA principles to inform program strategy, implementation, and learning, and share knowledge with internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in relevant technical working groups, cluster meetings, and coordination forums with other actors in the sector.
• Review the program budget and expenditures quarterly with the DCOP and track the budget performance for the region.
• Plan and conduct quarterly and annual program review meetings with stakeholders to assess progress, adjust plans, and learn lessons for the region.
• Engage with the private sector, government, civil society, and communities as partners in the program implementation.
• Visit the field sites regularly to monitor the program activities and provide feedback and support to the field staff.
• Manage and supervise the program teams across various locations and ensure high-quality program delivery, compliance, and accountability.
• Update the supervisor and key program staff on the program status and issues, identify risks, and propose solutions for mitigation and resolution.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Build effective relationships with relevant program teams based on mutual trust and collaboration.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

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

• Liaise with regional-level local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Team members working on HRA in the Tigray region directly including, Technical Specialists, MEL specialists, finance officer, and logistics officer.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: DCOP

Works Directly With: HRA program team, COP, CLA/MEL Director, MEL manager

Job Requirement

• BA/BSc in a relevant field, or equivalent experience
• Master’s degree in any one of the technical or management courses in the program focus areas highly preferred.
• At least 6 years in a middle or senior-level management position
• Previous experience managing complex project or consortiums an added advantage.
• Excellent communicator in English with demonstrated excellent report writing and speaking skills, knowledge of local languages (Tigrigna greatly advantageous.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and relationship management skills.
• Six years’ experience managing teams, strategic planning, and implementing programs.
• Proven experience developing effective and diverse teams in dynamic contexts.
• Strong organizational and managerial skills.
• Experience or working in the Tigray region with strong contextual knowledge of cultures.
• Experience effectively initiating and maintaining productive relationships with private, public, civil society, and research sector partners.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about civic engagement to strengthen inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem-solve, work within a complex and sensitive setting, and follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and prioritize effective written and verbal communication in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions 

The position is based in Mekelle, Tigray region, Ethiopia and it requires up to 40% travel to support HRA implementation in targeted woredas of southern and southeastern zones, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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. 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.

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.

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: 10 November 2023/ 4:00 PM