Project Coordinator

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 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. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision 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. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 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 six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. 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, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. 

Position Title: Project Coordinator

Duty Station: Bahirdar, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to the target Woredas

Open Position:  1

Program / Department Summary

The Research for Innovative and Sustainable Water in Ethiopia (RISE) is a fifteen-month program that aims to explore the feasibility and suitability of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector in Amhara region, Ethiopia. The program will conduct scoping assessments to identify the opportunities and challenges of privatizing water services, such as the capacity, information, and financial status of potential local actors, the governance and legal frameworks, and the performance and impacts of existing PPPs in the water sector. The program will also provide actionable recommendations to attract private-sector engagement and disseminate the research findings to various stakeholders at the local and national levels. The program hopes to create a model that can be replicated in other regions of the country. The program will be implemented in North Mecha, Dera, and Farta Woredas of the Amhara region.

General Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Water Security Team Lead, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall implementation of the RISE program in the Amhara region. S/he will provide strategic leadership to project officers, research and learning specialist, and market system development specialist in the day-to-day implementation of the evaluation pilot in Amhara. He/she will be expected to coordinate with other Mercy Corps project teams to improve coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting processes. Establishing and strengthening well-organized reporting systems among partners working with Mercy Corps. S/he will also be responsible for managing Mercy Corps relationships with key regional government partners and also responsible for monitoring the progress of all emergency activities in the woredas and Zone according to the project implementation plan. S/he will also provide technical assistance to officers in planning, capacity building for government staff, and coordinating with other Mercy Corps support staff like finance, logistics, and the HR team at the Bahidar Field office.

Essential Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead program staff based at regional, Zonal, and Woreda levels in collaboration with the program managers & Zonal coordinators.
• Establish and maintain systems for work planning, implementation of activities, reporting, and capacity strengthening for the government system.
• Provide logistical support for the scoping assessments, such as arranging transportation, accommodation, equipment, materials, etc.
• Support communication and reporting to local stakeholders, such as local service providers, local governments, financial institutions, water users’ associations, community members, etc.
• Promote positive working relationships with partners, communities, and local government partners, using participatory and inclusive approaches, such as community mobilization, sensitization, feedback mechanisms, etc.
• Facilitate close coordination with local partner organizations and institutions in the water sector, such as NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, research institutes, universities, etc.
• Work closely with the Project Officers, MSD specialist, and Team Lead on field planning, monitoring, and reporting, using appropriate tools and formats, such as work plans, activity reports, progress reports, etc.

• Coordinate and liaise with Mercy Corps finance, logistic, and administrative teams to support the smooth and timely execution of contractual, procurement, administrative, and financial aspects of the emergency programs.

• Participate in meetings and consultations with Governments and other agencies at the regional level on topics related to WASH in the Amhara region
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures, as well as donor rules and regulations.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles, and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & and reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient, and lead team members, as necessary.

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion

• Understand and be aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute to the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute to the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

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 projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Influence and Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Knowledge and Experience

• Educational background – bachelor’s degree in social or natural sciences.
• Technical knowledge – Familiarity with the issues of water and sanitation systems in municipal water and sanitation facilities.
• Understanding and experience in a cultural context – Demonstrated working experience in the Amhara region, preferably in leading WASH program implementation or research activities.
• Language skills – Fluent English and Amharic are required. Another local language proficiency is highly desirable.
• Facilitation skills – Demonstrate expertise in government and community engagement activities, preferably with WASH programs. Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security, and social environment of Ethiopia. He/she will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/she will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. He/she will have a good understanding of the roles that different data technologies play in high-quality MEL and how different datasets should be leveraged to provide information specifically needed for decision-making in different Ethiopian contexts. The successful candidate will be focused on team building and capacity-building of national staff, be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs, and maintain a sense of humor.

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. 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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.

Living conditions / environmental conditions

The position is based in the Bahirdar, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to the target Woredas Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer, regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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  in Addition Applicants can submit their CVs to Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development office at Bahirdar which is located at Tana Sub-city, Kebele 13, immediately back to the ANRS Bureau of Education, adjacent to the ICAP project Office.

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 empower women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: 20 October 2023/ 4:00 PM