OFF-FARM/EMPLOYMENT MARKET SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, ECONOMIC RECOVERY-CONFLICTED AFFECTED POPULATION (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

ER-CAP is a 5-year project (December 2023-Nov. 2028 G.C) by Mercy Corps, DRC, and First Consult Development. It aims to improve the economic adaptation, protection, and recovery of conflict-affected populations in three regions: Afar (Abaala), Tigray (Mekelle), and Amhara (Woldiya). The program will benefit 43,540 individuals, focusing on IDPs, returnee women, youth and marginalized groups. It uses a conflict-sensitive, systems-strengthening, climate-smart and inclusive approach to enhance systems that support economic recovery. The expected outcomes include resilient livelihoods, improved access to financial products and services, and enhanced capacity to mitigate protection risks.
ER-CAP aims to improve the economic condition of conflict-affected communities by strengthening MSMEs, improving crop and livestock value chains, and providing income-generating opportunities. It includes providing affordable financial products and technology through partnerships with financial service providers, conducting GESI dialogues, and identifying business ideas for economic activities in displacement settings.

General Position Summary

The Off-Farm/Employment Market Systems Development (MSD) Specialist will lead the design, implementation and monitoring of off-farm income generating and employment creation market-based interventions that foster economic recovery, resilience, sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, and social cohesion in a post-conflict environment. This role requires a nuanced understanding of conflict dynamics, market fragility, and the specific challenges faced by vulnerable populations. In addition, the role requires a deep understanding of market systems, private sector engagement, and a proven ability to facilitate systemic change. The Off-farm MSD specialist will develop interventions that enhance the productivity of target participants in different off-farm income generating sectors and work with relevant institutions and sectors to increase target participants’ income through self and wage employment. S/he will work with educational institutions to align training with industry skill requirements. S/he provides technical guidance for partners, capacity-building support to program target participants and businesses, including technical advice, mentorship, and coaching; and facilitates linkages to support services for improved coverage and outreach. The off-farm/employment MSD Specialist will work closely with diverse stakeholders, including conflict-affected communities, local businesses, producer groups, financial institutions, educational institutions, community structures, government entities, and humanitarian/development actors, implementing partners (DRC and FC) to rebuild and strengthen market systems.

Position Description

Location: Mekele, Tigray Region
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
Salary Level: (Refer to Country Salary Guidelines)
Current Team Member: None
Safeguarding Risk Level: Low

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. Context Analysis & Market Assessment:

• Conduct in-depth conflict-sensitive market assessments to understand the impact of conflict on off-farm and labour market systems, identifying key constraints, opportunities, and risks.
• Analyze the specific needs and vulnerabilities of conflict-affected populations, including displaced persons, returnees, and marginalized groups.
• Map key market actors, value chains, and support services, considering the disruption caused by conflict in the off-farm activities and labour market system.
• Assess the resilience of existing off-farm activity and labour market systems and identify potential entry points for intervention.
• Organizes market assessment validation and activities planning workshop, which will involve all key stakeholders.
• Continuously analyze the market system and develop strategies to create jobs, support the growth of high-potential small and medium-sized businesses, and access to finance, specifically for conflict-affected populations in thin markets.

2.Intervention Design & Implementation (Conflict-Sensitive):

• Develop and implement innovative market-based interventions, focusing, off-farm activities, labor market/employment opportunities and technical and vocational skill development, that address the root causes of market failure and promote inclusive economic growth/market system strengthening.
• Design interventions, concept notes, including viable business models that consider specific conflict dynamics.
• Design interventions that build social cohesion and foster trust among conflict-affected communities.
• Identify, assess and on board relevant key market players (implementing partners).
• Facilitate access to finance, business development services, promoting improved technologies and practices, and market linkages for vulnerable populations, including women and youth.
• Supports the expansion of the high potential markets for off-farm activities in target areas that could enhance the livelihood of host communities, returnees and IDPs.
• Identify and support establish/strengthen new/existing Business Development Services providers.
• Collaborate with TVETs and other potential training centers to introduce market driven, appropriate and contextualized training programs.
• Capacity building of the key institutions in labor market assessment, work preparation and placement

• Responsible for district and kebele level field activities to assess progress and provide formal and informal feedback.
• Work with the community structures across IDPs, returnees and host communities to plan and implement effectively the deliverables of the intervention/program in line with work plans and targets in close collaboration with implementation partners.
• Support the rehabilitation of critical labour market infrastructure and services.
• Promote the diversification of off-farm livelihoods and the development of new market opportunities.
• Integrates community approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and creates an environment where project teams work together, exchange information, coordinate activities, and develop team spirit in project management.
• Works closely with project management and other team members to contribute to vision and strategy development and in applying market systems development approaches to IDPs, returnees and host community contexts
•  Facilitate implementation of the activities across ER-CAP implementation areas.

3. Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including conflict-affected communities, including private sector actors, producer organizations, government agencies, humanitarian actors, and other development partners.
• Facilitate inclusive and participatory processes to ensure community ownership and buy-in of MSD interventions.
• Coordinate with other humanitarian and development actors to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts.
• Proactively build and nurture partnerships with implementation partners, other organizations and key stakeholders including government offices and authorities as well as NGOs and private sector market players.
• Manage relationship with partners in conducting capacity assessment, track performance, ensure activities are in line to address systemic problem, identify potential intervention areas for expansion and scale up.
• Organize lesson learning workshops and other events and proper documentation for future programmatic actions.
• Representing the ER-CAP program, displaying courtesy and tact in all interactions with community members, sub-city and woreda level authorities and other stakeholders.
• In collaboration with program coordinator and stakeholders, advocate for policies and practices that promote market system recovery and resilience.
• Builds and maintains close relationships with key government partners across the implementation areas and other cities and towns at all levels

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL):

• In collaboration with MEL team, develop and implement a conflict-sensitive MEL framework to track the progress and impact of MSD interventions.
• Develops key monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones, and plans in close collaboration with supervisor and M&E team.
• Collect, analyze data and report on market system performance, including indicators related to economic recovery, social cohesion, and resilience.
• Use MEL findings to adapt strategies, improve program effectiveness, and share lessons learned.
• Document and disseminate best practices in MSD in post-conflict contexts.
• In coordination with MEL team, facilitate learning sessions with project team and external stakeholders to reflect on evidence and drive planning and implementation of program inputs and activities.
• Organize and facilitate pause and reflect sessions to monitor performance of project activities and document to inform and adapt work plans taking into consideration the dynamic and complex contexts of economic recovery activity.
• Contribute to the identification of lessons learnt and propose recommendations for programmatic adaptations.
• Find opportunities to share transferrable insights and learnings with broader Mercy Corps Ethiopia team.
• Carry out any other duties as required for the good functioning of the project.
• Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in MSD and contribute to the broader knowledge base through publications, presentations, and participation in professional networks

5. Reporting & Communication:

• Prepare periodic work plan regular progress reports on program progress, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders about program activities and results.

6. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing:

• Provide technical assistance and training to local partners and stakeholders on MSD principles, conflict sensitivity, and best practices.
• Develop and deliver training materials on relevant topics, such as business development, financial literacy, and market analysis.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning among stakeholders through workshops, seminars, and other events.

7. Collaboration with consortium partners (DRC and FC)

• Closely work with consortium partners (DRC&FC) organization to integrate innovation and access to financial service and products.
• Closely work with DRC to integrate priority protection issues across institutions, private and public sector partners
• Organize joint events and workshops whenever necessary.
• Works closely with the ER-CAP team and partners ensuring we adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps’ gender policies, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

8. General Support:

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Line manager.

Supervisory Responsibility: None
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Coordinator (Line Manager)
Technical Line Report To: MSD Technical Advisor
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: ER-CAP program manager, MEL/MRM manager, MSD program coordinator, DRC and FC Program Manager/s and/or Coordinators MEL-CARM officer, GESI Advisor, Operations, Finance and P&C(HR) team.

Accountability to Beneficiaries
● 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 programs.
Security
● Adhere and comply with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

Knowledge and Experience

● Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in the areas: Economics, Business administration Agriculture (i.e. Plant/Animal Science), Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Agribusiness, Marketing and other related subjects;
● Minimum of 4 years of experience working in private sector or other I/NGO in market systems development, private sector engagement, MSMEs development manufacturing, access to finance, entrepreneurship, livelihood, labour market preferably in post-conflict or fragile contexts.
● Experience on increasing off-farm productivity including collaborating with private sector national and international actors to achieve sustainable and scalable solutions for ER-CAP target participants
● Excellent knowledge of Markets Systems Development (aka Making Markets Work for the poor-M4P) approach and facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, open and willing to work on new initiatives.
● Experience in designing and implementing conflict-sensitive MSD interventions.
● Experience working with vulnerable populations and marginalized groups.
● Experience in stakeholder engagement and coordination.
● Knowledge of the relevant market systems including key actors, information service providers, employers of different scale, micro-finance institutions (MFIs), banks, Insurance’s providers, inputs suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions and experiences in supporting livestock/crop production.
● Excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to multi-task and support and/or fill multiple positions at one time.
● Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.

Technical Skills:
● Strong understanding of MSD principles and frameworks.
● Proficiency in market analysis, intervention design, and implementation.
● Strong understanding of value chain development, access to finance, and business development services.
● Proficiency in MEL methodologies.
● Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
● Strong communication and presentation skills (written and verbal).
Other Skills:
● Ability to work effectively in challenging and insecure environments.
● Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
● Fluent in English, Amharic/Afar/Tigrigna (capable in all required basic skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing);
● Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders.
● Strong negotiation and mediation skills.

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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. All applications, including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers, must be sent electronically. 

Only candidates that are short-listed will be acknowledged and called for interviews.

“Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity, and diversity. Qualified female and young candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to empowering women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:  10 March 2025/ 4:00 PM