Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In times of disaster and hardship, and in more than 40 countries worldwide, we partner to implement bold solutions, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, both now and for the future. Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004, working closely with the government, private sector, and civil society actors to drive transformative ideas and build a more resilient country. Our programs are designed to be responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development, ensuring improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water.

About Job

We currently operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors, including USAID, European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations, JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crises, build better lives, and transform their communities for good.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps Ethiopia currently secured USAID/BHA funded multisectoral response program entitled ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected Populations (HACAP)” in Oromia, Afar and Somali regions. The goal of the proposed program is to increase access to Life-saving Services for Conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees, and Vulnerable Populations through provision of integrated Multi-Sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Health, Nutrition, Agriculture, Protection, and Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) support in seven Woredas of the three regions.

General Position Summary

The Adolescent Girls Program (AGP) Officer is responsible in providing targeted interventions for adolescent girls in HACAP program, which is under operation in Adadle, Berano, and Abakorow Woredas of the Somali Region, and in Gumi Eldalo and Liben Woredas of the Oromia Region. The position holder will ensure the technical quality and integration of these activities across humanitarian programs and address related concerns through direct service and referral. The Adolescent Girls Program Officer will provide curriculum-based life skills sessions for adolescent girls, capacity-building training, lead organizational and staff transformation on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and represent Mercy Corps in relevant coordination forums and platforms.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Collaborate closely with all Mercy Corps team members to ensure effective integration of gender, protection, social inclusion, and GBV concerns across all humanitarian programs.
• Work with relevant government and non-governmental actors to effectively address gender, protection, GBV, and social norm issues, informing project designs and activities.

 Program Management

• Engage in assessments and contribute to intervention strategies based on feedback from adolescent girls in the program.
• Strictly adhere to GBV guiding principles when interacting with adolescent girls and their parents or caregivers.
• Provide formal and informal supervision and training to mentors to ensure the delivery of high-quality life skills sessions.
• Collaborate with implementing partners and community leaders to develop selection criteria for engaging adolescent girls in life skills curriculum sessions.
• Adapt the Adolescent Girls Curriculum to the local community context.
• Conduct capacity-building trainings related to Adolescent Girls Programming for mentors, community leaders, implementing partners, and parents or caregivers.
• Directly engage with adolescent girls and parents as needed and work with mentors to ensure program quality.
• Coordinate with Women Social Affairs to provide case management services for adolescent girls when necessary.
• Develop monthly and weekly activity plans for mentors.
• Monitor supply and logistical needs of the Adolescent Girls’ safe space and life skills sessions.
• Enhance relationships with relevant GBV program stakeholders, community leaders, and parents or caregivers to promote communication and collaboration.
• Strengthen coordination by working closely with local actors, including schools, WSA, health, and legal entities.
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation activities, including assessments and surveys.

 Team Management

• Provide technical guidance for adolescent girl program mentors, including on-the-job training.
• Support and liaise with all project teams and provide capacity building, including training and coaching on gender mainstreaming, protection, GBV, and social inclusion.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback both formally and informally.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

 Influence & Representation

• Coordinate with government, development, and humanitarian actors to promote gender equality, protection, social inclusion, and prevention of GBV.
• Represent Mercy Corps in various platforms, networks, and coordination forums focused on gender, GBV, and protection.
• Uphold the image and values of Mercy Corps.

 Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion (GESI)

• Support the recruitment of diverse teams and promote an inclusive and safe work environment.
• Lead by example to promote a gender-equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interactions with team members, partners, and program participants.

 Program and Proposal Development

• Provide humanitarian teams with technical support, coaching, and capacity building to ensure high-quality gender integration in programs.
• Conduct assessments to determine community needs.
• Document community meeting minutes and data for use in new initiatives.

 Supervisory Responsibility

• Provide technical support to all project teams, especially social workers, and community volunteers, to effectively deliver GBV services such as psychosocial support, gender, protection, child protection, and social inclusion.
• Provide capacity-building training.

 Security

• 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.

Requirements

Knowledge and Experience

• BA degree in Gender and Social Development, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or other similar social science fields.
• Minimum of four years’ work experience in gender, protection, and GBV-related roles in both development and humanitarian settings.
• Previous experience/exposures to the location/region he/she is applying for.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English, and speaking the local language is a plus.

 Success Factors: The Protection and GESI Advisor will demonstrate experience managing programs in the field, further enhancing their ability to adjust technical theories to meet real-world complexities. The individual should have the proven ability to influence donors, partners, and peer organizations. The role requires strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and a level of emotional intelligence proficiency that quickly builds and maintains productive relationships across teams. Being aware and sensitive to international development issues and diverse cultures