Project Officer (Internal Only)

About Mercy Corps

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.

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Currently in six regional states – Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, and South Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR), and in Dire Dawa Administration and the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa – Mercy Corps Ethiopia is driven by the mission to contribute the emergence of a peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Ethiopia which is inclusive of youth and women. Our strategic directions focus in promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal/informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps in partnership with WFP is implementing a comprehensive Food Systems Transformation intervention in Bokolmayo woreda. This ambitious program is designed to revitalize the local food systems, ensuring that they are robust, sustainable, and capable of supporting the nutritional and economic needs of both refugee and host community populations. By integrating a variety of support mechanisms—ranging from agricultural enhancement to financial inclusion, market connectivity, and livelihood augmentation—the intervention is meticulously crafted to foster resilience and improve nutritional outcomes. The initiative is not a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, it is a carefully orchestrated series of actions, each one building upon the other, to address the unique challenges and leverage the strengths of the households it serves. For instance, agricultural beneficiaries will not only receive support but will also be encouraged to form cooperatives, engage in savings and loan associations, and tap into microfinance opportunities, thereby weaving a strong fabric of communal support and financial empowerment.

The project's vision extends beyond immediate aid, setting its sights on long-term development and self-reliance. Recognizing the untapped potential of agriculture in the region, hindered by water scarcity and inadequate infrastructure, the intervention aims to transform these challenges into opportunities. By providing access to irrigated land and modernizing agricultural practices through the introduction of solar pumps and regenerative techniques, the project aspires to unlock the full potential of local agriculture. This holistic approach includes not only the provision of quality seeds and inputs but also the cultivation of knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable farming practices. Training in climate-smart agriculture and business acumen is a cornerstone of this strategy, equipping households with the tools to thrive independently and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

General Position Summary

The project officers will be based in Dollo Ado & Bokolmayo woredas and works under the direction and guidance of the Project Coordinator and field team. The PO will be responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Enabling Food Systems Transformation and IFTIIN program activities at the community level.

He/she bridges the link between the project field team and the communities and local government representatives and engage in community/institutional capacity building activities.

In collaboration with local level government stakeholders, community members the PO is responsible for the day-to-day planning and implementation of project activities at community level.

Project officer

Req positions: 3 positions.

Location: Dollo Ado

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: 4

Current Team Member: No

Safeguarding Risk Level: Low

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Create conducive environment for smallholder farmers to access predictable market for agricultural inputs and produces.
• Facilitate access to financial services through formation of VSLA and cooperatives and link them to formal financial institutions to benefit both host and refugee communities
• Works with woreda Agriculture and Natural Resources Office in the target area to create mass awareness to induce behavioral change to improve diversification and consumption of nutritious food.  
• Facilitate woreda level stakeholders’ coordination meetings and joint monitoring and follow up events.
• Take part in assessments and data collection when required
• Provide activity, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Represent Mercy Corps in the woreda of his/her assignment.
• Ensure adequate consultation and participation of kebele and village/community level stakeholders ensuring active participation of women.
• With support of the field technical team, provide expertise and advice for community institutions/Organizations on gender mainstreaming and gender equality.
• Facilitate community meetings, discussions, dialogues among others on the management of the programme at the community level.
• Support and Facilitate Community/institutional Capacity Building Activities
• Act as an active member of the project team by identifying and exploring opportunities to improve project implementation and guarantee its sustainability.

STRATEGY & VISION

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

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Coordinates, participate and facilitate assessments, activities planning, coordination’s meetings and workshops with stakeholders.
• Provide systematic technical support to woreda Agriculture and Natural Resources Office to ensure quality and impactful implementation of all integrated smallholders resilience and livelihood support.
• Work with woreda Agriculture and Natural Resources Office to improve agriculture extension service to increase agricultural production and productivity.
• Facilitate market linkages between aggregators, agriculture - input suppliers, and smallholder’s farmers.
• Facilitate woreda and kebele level activities such as, beneficiaries’ selection and profiling, extension service provision, capacity building trainings and meetings events, market linkage events, financial inclusion activities,
• Provide work plan, and corresponding activity report about the activities.
• Regularly visits field activities to assess progress and provide formal and informal feedback.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the community facilitators and enumerators, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist community facilitators with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps Infront of partners, communities and stakeholders and in coordination meetings.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence of gender minimum standards
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

Supervisory Responsibility

• Line manage the Field facilitators

Accountability

Reports Directly To: The Agriculture Coordinator

Technical Line Report To: The Agriculture Coordinator

Works Directly With: The GEDSI, MEL and program team

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.

Knowledge and Experience

·       BSc in NRM, Agriculture, Forestry, rural development, Development studies, Cooperative Management, Agriculture Economics or related field

·       Knowledge of cooperatives management, Smallholder support, Soil and water conservation, landscape management, Financial Inclusion and livelihood development.

·       Three Years work experience in Cooperatives Development, Agriculture, NRM and livelihood development in similar organizations Prior experience working with pastoralist communities, in Ethiopia especially in the Somali region.

·       Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills.

·       Ability to work comfortably, effectively and creatively in areas of variable security.

·       Multi-tasking, organization, and prioritization skills

Success Factors

He/ She must be a tolerant and flexible individual who is able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures with high commitment to learn and change. He/she must be able to speak at least one of the local languages of the community in target and knows the culture of the community.

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.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.