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The Revitalizing Agricultural/Pastoral Incomes and New Markets (RAIN) program is a $17 million USAID/OFDA funded project that works in partnership with Save the Children/UK, IFPRI, and SNV in the Oromiya and Somali regions of Ethiopia to provide support to vulnerable populations to halt the decline in household assets and work through market linkages to build sustained household economic growth. The RAIN project protects vulnerable and food insecure households and improves preparedness, prevents food insecurity through strengthened and diversified livelihoods, and promotes local economic development and economic integration. RAIN is a three year project and has just completed the first year of implementation.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The DCOP is a senior management position that provides technical leadership in market-led approaches for the technical unit of value chain and microfinance specialists. The DCOP, under the guidance of the Chief of Party, will also lead the harmonization of implementation activities and manage staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget for all regions of the RAIN program.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Technical Guidance
- Provide the technical and advisory leadership for all market interventions in the RAIN program.
- Provide leadership to consortium members and Mercy Corps staff in facilitation approaches.
- Integrate value chain and/or “Making Markets work for the Poor (M4P)” approaches into market interventions.
- Work extensively with private and public sector stakeholders to identify business development opportunities.
- Work with the microfinance team and Somali regional government in the development of a new microfinance institution.
Team Management
- Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via performance reviews.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
- Provide direction to the value chain and microfinance technical unit in market-led approaches
- Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites. A minimum of 25% travel is expected.
Coordination and Representation
- Participate in a variety of external forums/workshops/conference/sector coordination meetings to share best practices and findings of the project with the government and development community.
- Develop positive working relationships and coordinate/collaborate with partner organizations and international and national agencies active in the target area.
M&E and Operations Management ?
- Work with M&E staff to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.
- Coordinate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in place to support activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.
- Ensure the completion of program implementation on time, on target and on-budget using effective M&E systems, and is well documented
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
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 and themselves.
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, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Direct supervision of RAIN Program Managers and value chain and microfinance technical unit including five specialists
ACCOUNTABILITY
- REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party
- WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: ?Heads of Office, M&E unit, Logistics and Administrative teams
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5-7 years of experience in design and management of agricultural livelihoods and agribusiness development projects
- Relevant advanced degree required
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing facilitative project interventions using a “Making Markets work for the Poor (M4P)” approach and/or a value chain development approach
- Experience with USAID grants
SUCCESS FACTORS:
- Diplomacy skills in managing a team with different backgrounds, abilities, and technical knowledge.
- Contextual knowledge of Ethiopia and the often complex clan structures of Somali society.
- Effective communication and team-building techniques.
- Excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills.
- Even temperament and good sense of humor.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This is an accompanied position based in Dire Dawa with frequent travel to Jijiga, Degehabour and Addis Ababa. The DCOP is expected to follow all security protocols including limited movement when necessary. Internet connectivity and communication across Ethiopia is government controlled and remains unreliable at times. Dire Dawa is a small, quiet city that offers a few grocery stores and international style restaurants and hotels. There are also thriving local markets. There are no international level schools in Dire Dawa. In general, security is good and comfortable, secure residences are available and public services (water, electricity, healthcare) are adequate. There are two flights per day to Addis Ababa. 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
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