Ethiopia: Chief of Party - Pastoralists Areas Resilience Improvement and Market Expansion (PRIME), Ethiopia (219477-927)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Chief of Party (COP) will lead implementation of a 5 year, $52 million USAID funded Pastoralists Areas Resilience Improvement and Market Expansion (PRIME) program. The PRIME consortium, led by Mercy Corps includes Care, Kimetrica, ACPA, Haramaya University and local partners among others. PRIME will: 1) stimulate increased productivity and competitiveness in the livestock and livestock product markets, 2) increase communities’ ability to adapt to a changing climate, 3) improve alternative livelihood options, basic employability skills and entrepreneurship, 4) establish participatory and systems that are easily accessible for all stakeholders, and 5) improve nutrition of targeted households and contribute to the wider knowledge on pastoral development through targeted policy and knowledge management initiatives. The program will end in September 2017.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief of Party (COP) will manage all aspects of program including meeting the objectives of the project while providing overall technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management of the project, with a focus on achieving the results defined in the co-operative agreement. The COP is responsible for developing a strong, coherent vision within PRIME and promoting innovative strategies across the program. The position requires significant long-term experience in pastoral and livestock issues in the region, and strong leadership and coordination skills.

The COP will act as the key liaison between USAID/Ethiopia and all other counterparts, and Government of Ethiopia officials. The COP is expected to lead and/or participate in strategic and high level policy forums and meetings with various actors and advocate for broader pastoralist issues. The COP is expected to contribute to improving pastoralist’s policy environment using PRIME evidence base and learning generated through the project.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSDo This

Program Implementation

Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program implementation, development and management.Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.Oversee performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees.Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites.

& (M&E) and Reporting

Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems.Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.

Coordination and Representation

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director.Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team

Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.Contribute to country team- efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Program Support Operations

Coordinate with program and finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.Propose design of new local policies as needed and in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

Security

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.Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear and understanding of security management priorities.

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 towards 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, and of our field projects.

Direct supervision of: Deputy Chief of Party, Technical Advisors.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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, and of our field projects.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:Ethiopia Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:Other program managers in-country, HQ Program Operations Team members, Technical Support Unit team members, Cluster leads, Heads of Office, M&E unit, Finance, Logistics, HR and Administrative teams.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field.10-15 years of overseas experience including five years in a senior management position.Strong understanding of U.S. government compliance issuesStrong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.Proven technical experience in economic and market development, pastoralist livelihoods, livestock development, NRM/Climate change.Previous experience in Ethiopia or the Horn of Africa.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful COP will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. He/She will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and , individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. S/he will have demonstrated skills in managing programs in challenging insecure environments. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

This position is accompanied for spouse and children.

Addis Ababa is the political and commercial heart of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1877, it is now a sprawling, hospitable city of 4 million people located at an elevation of 2,200 meters in the foothills of Mount Entoto. Modern buildings and wide-open boulevards stand side by side with historic churches, palaces and monuments as well as simple country-style huts. Addis Ababa has basic health services and adequate international schools, K-12. There are ample opportunities for in-country vacations. The weather is temperate year-round with a heavy rainy season in the summer months. Addis Ababa hosts many international organizations including the OAU, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters there.

The Chief of Party will be based in Addis Ababa, and manage activities in the Somali, Oromia, and Afar regions.