Mercy Corps is a global non-governmental, humanitarian aid organization operating in transitional contexts that have undergone, or have been undergoing, various forms of economic, environmental, social and political instabilities

The Position

Senior Technical Advisors will provide HRA staff and partners with technical leadership and expertise in one or more of the following areas: market systems development, climate-resilient crop & livestock value chain development, income & livelihoods diversification, inclusive financial services , and resilience strengthening. The specific scope and technical nature of the role(s) will be determined upon release of the Activity solicitation. Senior Technical Advisors will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and management of the program’s technical strategy and specific activities in close collaboration with local, national, and international partners and stakeholders. Senior Technical Advisors may also manage technical teams and supervise staff.

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM QUALITY – ACCESS TO FINANCE, CLIMATE-RESILIENT AGRICULTURE, MARKETS, AND RESILIENCE

• Provide technical leadership and direction to program staff, participants, and diverse partners, including government, civil society organizations, communities, and households.
• Ensure high-quality program design for relevant technical areas, develop client-centered and market-driven approaches to deliver measurable impact, and ensure technical and operational excellence in the execution of program activities and services.
• Take leadership in identifying, addressing, and adapting to program quality needs and gaps as they arise. Collaborate with the Chief of Party and other senior technical staff to problem solve.
• Supervise and/or review the work of technical consultants.

PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Oversee activities that are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan. Provide training and support for HRA staff and partners.
• Integrate locally-driven approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice for market development and resilience programming.
• Support effective integration of gender, youth, and social inclusion issues in all program initiatives; design and implement activities that actively address gender gaps and discriminatory practices.

LEARNING AND IMPACT

• Work with the HRA Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation aligns with program objectives, captures technical learning, and incorporates learning into program adjustments.
• Lead assessments and development of learning products, such as case studies and short articles. Contribute to dissemination of learning products among program stakeholders.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• As needed, represent Mercy Corps at program, government, donor, NGO, or other relevant events, in close coordination with HRA leadership.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Supervisory Responsibility

May be required to supervise teams of technical staff. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HRA Chief of Party

Works Directly With: The HRA Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, implementing partners

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/BS or equivalent in relevant field; MA/MS preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, including proven technical expertise in one or more of the following programming areas: market systems development, climate-resilient crop & livestock value chain development, income & livelihoods diversification, inclusive financial services , and resilience strengthening.
• Proven experience in program design, execution, operations, team leadership, and performance measurement and management.
• Experience in Ethiopia preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including national and subnational government, donors, donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and civil society organizations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements preferred.

Success Factors

Successful Senior Technical Advisors will combine deep technical skills and experience collaborating with and supporting a variety of partners from the public and private sectors. Must be flexible, creative, and enthusiastic about inclusive economic growth and resilience strengthening. Candidates must be self-starters who are able to manage competing priorities, learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. They will also have proven experience working with cross-cultural teams and partner capacity building. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is an accompanied position and housing is available in family accommodation with good freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are several international schools in the city and staff have access to basic services (electricity, water, sporadic internet, etc). Medical facilities are basic with international clinics able to provide emergency services. This position requires up to 40% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.

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.