GENDER, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI) ADVISOR: ECONOMIC RECOVERY-CONFLICTED AFFECTED POPULATION (Internal Only)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations.

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 GESI Advisor will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise to integrate gender equality, social inclusion and women's empowerment across all aspects of the ER-CAP’s program and operations. This role involves developing and implementing gender strategies, conducting gender analyses, providing technical assistance, and building the capacity of staff and partners to mainstream gender. The GESI advisor will play a critical role in ensuring that programs are gender-transformative and contribute to positive social change.

Position Description

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
Salary Level: As per organizational scale
Current Team Member: No
Safeguarding Risk Level: Low

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Technical Expertise:

• Provide strategic leadership and technical guidance on gender equality, social inclusion and women's empowerment.
• Develop and implement GESI strategies, policies, and guidelines aligned with organizational goals and international best practices.
• Conduct gender analyses and assessments to identify gender gaps and opportunities for intervention.
• Provide technical assistance to program teams on gender-sensitive program design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Stay abreast of current trends and best practices in gender equality and women's empowerment.

2. Program Integration and Implementation:

• Ensure that GESI considerations are integrated into all stages of the project cycle, from design to evaluation.
• Develop and implement gender-sensitive indicators and monitoring frameworks.
• Provide technical support for the development and implementation of gender-sensitive budgets.
• Collaborate with program teams to develop and implement gender-transformative interventions.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming efforts.

3. Capacity Building and Training:

• Develop and deliver training programs on gender equality, social inclusion and women's empowerment for staff and partners.
• Provide ongoing technical support and mentorship to staff and partners on gender mainstreaming.
• Develop and disseminate gender-related resources and tools.
• Build the capacity of local organizations to implement gender-transformative programs.

4. Advocacy and Networking:

• Represent ER-CAP in gender-related forums and networks.
• Advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment on different events.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and donors.
• Contribute to the development of advocacy materials and campaigns.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL):

• Collaborate with MEAL team to develop and implement gender-sensitive MEAL frameworks and tools.
• Collaborate with MEAL team to collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data.
• Conduct gender-focused evaluations and impact assessments.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices in gender mainstreaming.

Supervisory Responsibility: dotted functional relationships with field level gender focal persons.
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: MSD Project Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: ER-CAP program manager, MEL/MRM manager, Regional Project coordinators, DRC and FC Program Manager/s and/or Coordinators, MEL-CARM officer, On-farm and Off-farm/employment MSD specialists, 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

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in gender studies, social sciences, international development, or a related field. (MA is preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in gender mainstreaming, gender analysis, and women's empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing gender strategies and policies.
• Proven experience in conducting gender analyses and assessments.
• Experience in designing and delivering gender training programs.
• Experience in advocacy and networking.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and donors.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment principles and frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent training and facilitation skills.
• Strong advocacy and networking skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting.
• Fluent in English, Amharic (capable in all required basic skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing);

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in MSD based programs.
• Experience working in Amhara/Tigray/Afar regions
• Knowledge of international gender equality frameworks and conventions.
• Experience in conducting gender-focused evaluations.

Success Factors

A successful GESI Advisor possesses deep expertise in gender equality and social inclusion, translating theory into practical strategies. They excel at mainstreaming GESI across programs, conducting impactful analyses, and fostering inclusive partnerships. Strong communication and facilitation skills are vital for training, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. They remain adaptable, culturally sensitive, and committed to challenging discriminatory norms, driving meaningful and sustainable change.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and requires up to 80% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.

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:  15 March 2025/ 4:00 PM