Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. During our 34-year history, our work has improved more than 170 million lives in more than 115 countries around the world.
Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004, and acts on behalf of people who have become disenfranchised and poor. We stand with Ethiopia to find and access opportunities, and to be part of lasting and meaningful transformation in the country. Mercy Corps seeks to be influential with government and development actors towards a more resilient country where poverty is tackled through the eyes of those who understand it best. This translates into ensuring that the population is financially stable, healthy & nourished, educated & informed, and that natural resources are accessible, shared and utilized sustainably.
Mercy Corps anticipates a multi-year, multi-million dollar USAID funded initiative focused on: stimulating increased production, productivity and marketing through more competitive livestock and livestock products markets; increasing communities’ resilience; improving alternative livelihood options through essential skills transfer; improving food security and nutrition, and contributing to the wider knowledge on pastoral development. The program will operate in multiple pastoral regions across Ethiopia. Mercy Corps Ethiopia invites motivated and qualified candidates to apply for the following vacant position.
Position Title: DISASTER RISK REDUCTION & NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL LEAD
Primary Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Open Position: 1
The Disaster Risk Reduction/Natural Resources Management (DRR/NRM) Technical Lead will lead integrated programming efforts focused on improving disaster risk management and capacity in Ethiopia’s lowland areas. The proposed program will promote an integrated risk and natural resources management approach to 1) enhance sustainable productive land use, 2) Improve management of shocks, risks, and stresses and 3) improve water security. The DRR/NRM Technical Lead is an important senior-level position in the program, responsible for contributing to strategy discussions, providing technical assistance for the program and developing successful mechanisms for learning. The advisor will also participate in matrixed teams, share and build the capacity of others, and help integrate their technical areas with others. S/he will work with the senior management team and private and public sector stakeholders in designing and implementing innovative approaches to improved capacities for disaster risk management.
· Provide leadership and strategic vision while overseeing all DRR, NRM and water security activities, ensuring that staff are following work plans, activities are on schedule to the highest standard, that necessary systems and tools are being used to inform and improve the program, and that project deliverables are completed as planned.
· Manage implementation of DRR/NRM and water security activities providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration with team members, monitoring implementation and impact.
· Train staff in skills required for facilitating improved capacity and management of disaster risk and natural resources among government entities, communities and the private sector.
· Contribute to learning and thought leadership efforts including drafting blogs, leading online discussions, and representing Mercy Corps at learning events.
· Keep up to date on relevant strategies being developed or applied by significant governmental, academic, and non-profit groups. Determine how to best work with and/or influence such materials.
· Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
· Climate Information Services (CIS):
o contribute to, and in certain instances co-lead, the design and implementation of data collection and analysis efforts,
o provide access to and facilitate relationships with relevant projects in the Mercy Corps portfolio as appropriate,
o facilitate relationships with relevant CIS external institutions
o support the development and disseminate targeted CIS learning materials.
o Support the management and leadership of a consortium of technical and implementing agencies to improve access to effective climate information services systems.
· Early Warning Systems:
· Work with the program and M&E teams to adopt a holistic program-level M&E to accurately collect, monitor and verify program activities
CAPACITY BUILDING AND MENTORING
· Develop and oversee implementation of the program staff and partner capacity building strategy that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data.
· Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and implement DRR, NRM and water security programming, including regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
· Contribute to the knowledge management repository with best practices and ensure that it is accessible to all staff and partners.
· Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS
· Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
· Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COORDINATION
· 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.
o Program Design
o Program reporting
o Capacity building of team members
o Producing and publishing influential articles and blogs.
o Demonstrating strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise.
o Familiarity using integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
· Experience in resilience programming preferred
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The DRR/NRM Technical Lead is based in the capital city – Addis Ababa.
This position requires 35% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments. Addis Ababa is host to many international organizations including the OAU, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters based in the capital city.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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.