MSD (Market System Development) Advisor

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, the 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; improving natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is one of three partners in a five-year program, entitled Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth in Addis Ababa (LI-WAY), led by SNV Netherlands Development Organization and funded by the Swedish International Development Organization (Sida). LI-WAY utilizes a Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and social stability for 200,000 women and youth in Addis Ababa. The consortium additionally comprises Techno serve and Save the Children. The program aims to improve market functions, improve support service effectiveness and improve the business environment. MC will lead the Labor Market Sector and all activities related to this sector and will manage the Innovation Fund.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Contribute to the overall implementation of all activities in the labor system but not limited to the development of design intervention, partnership management, and implementation of the program.
• Develop, implement, and monitor the progress of work plans within the priority and potential supporting functions that can be adaptively managed.
• Develops monitoring and measuring indicators, milestones, and plans; monitors and reports all output, outcome, and impact indicators for priority supporting functions in the labor market.
• Oversee the work of project teams during the preparatory works, assessments, technical requirements, selection of external entities in support of the grants/projects and ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps agreements and with statutory and technical legislation issued by appropriate government authorities.
• Use appropriate project management tools to plan, review and track progress on project implementation as well as on the utilization of project resources.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its operations in the target location.
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Coordinate and closely collaborate with all consortium team members to conduct assessments across selected sectors/market systems with a special focus in the labor market, including understanding constraints related to unemployment, technology to enhance employment and related functions.
• Work with the Market Systems Advisors, Market System Development Specialists, other team members of Mercy Corps, and consortium partners to identify areas in which the different sectors and/or intervention areas are integrated and have the most potential for growth.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure adherence to systems for ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to the programming.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps programs when needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence to gender minimum standards
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program design and implementation.
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender-inclusive team-building process.
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Coordinate with GEDSI Technical Team Improve gender-responsiveness of the program /Project MEAL system.
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervisory responsibility for:

Work with market system specialists in the intervention area selected.

Accountability

Reports Directly to Team Leader

Works Directly With:

LIWAY team and consortium members

MC Global and regional TSU

Technical expert support

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 3-5 years of experience in related areas including private sector experience.
• BA / BS degree is required, MA is preferred.
• Deep understanding and mastery of Market Systems Development (aka M4P) and good facilitation skills including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding, and innovating.
• Familiarity in aspects of the relevant market systems including key actors, Current and future potential employers of growth sector firms, Mirco, Small and Medium enterprises, technology providers, micro-financial institutions (MFls), banks, Insurances, systems service providers, inputs suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions.
• Must have excellent English writing and communication skills.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in highly intense and fluid work with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and 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 a 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 the 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 adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team