Ethiopia: Senior Economic Technical Advisor - Pastoral Livelihoods, Ethiopia (219272-927)

This position will be based in Portland, Washington DC or Nairobi.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Ethiopia is implementing a 5 year, $57 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 monitoring and evaluation 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 research and knowledge management initiatives.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sr Economic Technical Advisor will be a member of the Senior Management Team, providing support on quality programming and helping to ensuring the smooth operations and functions of PRIME activities. The SETA will provide support, guidance, training and leadership to technical staff on the PRIME team. The SETA will also be responsible for following up on any coordination issues between the field and HQ as needed and appropriate. The position requires 40-60% travel to Ethiopia.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Support:

Advise on technical aspects of livelihoods, market development and resilience in the PRIME program to promote the continued development of market-based resilience programming. Work closely with PRIME leadership team on coordinating activities and harmonizing technical strategies and tactics.Support the implementation of the PRIME market-development activities providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration, monitoring implementation and impact (as requested), training staff in marketing and business skills enabling them to train beneficiary households and clients.Liaise with field and HQ to ensure quality programming, appropriate documentation, and clear information flows.Provide support, guidance and training to program staff to understand technical requirements and best practices.Provide management support to PRIME team during R&Rs, transitions, and home leave of staff.Work with program staff to ensure appropriate planning and identification of other programmatic support needs.Assist with the implementation of appropriate monitoring systems and provide requested reports on program activities.

Team Management:

Contribute to a cohesive team spirit among staff and partners, while ensuring achievement of program objectives.As necessary, support the recruitment, management and motivation of an informed, skilled and efficient team; and contribute to staff development strategies.Maintain effective and positive internal communication with PRIME staff in all field offices, as required.

Representation:

Coordinate with Mercy Corps headquarters and regional offices and staff, international and local NGOs, donors, UN agencies, national government, vendors, and the general public in a way that fosters linkages, optimizes communication, avoids overlap, shares resources, and ensures program success.

Leadership and Strategy:

Participate in the development and/or review of new initiatives, operating plans and strategic plans.Participate in overall program level strategic planning and assist the CoP with preparation and implementation of the PRIME Annual Planning process. Process is to be participatory, involving relevant key staff in each field office. Identify staffing and administrative operational requirements.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNINGAs 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: None.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Chief of Party, PRIME

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

5-7 years of experience in operations and program management of market development and/or pastoral livelihoods projectsRelevant advanced degree requiredDemonstrated experience supporting the design and implementation of facilitative project interventions using a “Making Markets work for the Poor (M4P)” approach and/or a value chain development approachExperience with USAID grants

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Diplomacy skills in managing a team with different backgrounds, abilities, and technical knowledge.Effective communication and team-building techniques.Excellent organizational and strong interpersonal skills.Even temperament and good sense of humor.Contextual knowledge of Ethiopia is desirable.

LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This is position is based in a regional office or HQ, with frequent travel to Addis Ababa and the PRIME operating areas (Somali, Afar and Oromiya regions). The SETA 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. 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. 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.