Team Lead

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: Team Lead

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

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

The Team Lead is responsible for leading and overseeing the pilot evaluation. S/he provides strategic direction, project management, and stakeholder engagement to ensure the successful execution of the evaluation. With strong leadership and decision-making abilities, the Team Lead sets clear objectives, manages the overall management of the pilot evaluation, and monitors the progress to address challenges and keep the assessments on track. The Team Lead maintains strong relationships with donors, collaborates with Mercy Corps teams, and engages stakeholders to gather input and ensure their active involvement throughout the process. The Team Leader’s responsibilities include reporting project progress, disseminating findings, and providing operational support. They prepare comprehensive reports, implement communication strategies, and work with their team to consolidate technical assessments into concise recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders. Through their expertise and guidance, the Team Lead drives the evaluation towards informed decision-making and potential PPP implementation, contributing to the advancement of water supply services in rural Ethiopia.

Essential Responsibilities

Project Implementation

Strategy and Planning

• Set the strategic direction for the program by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve program objectives.
• Manage the program adaptively, with the flexibility to adapt the strategy depending on technical assessments and feedback from stakeholders.

Program Management

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams in Addis and Amhara regions.
• Review and analyze existing and evolving institutional, policy, legal, and regulatory framework for water services as it relates to the government of Ethiopia’s plan for water supply and sanitation investments and align Mercy Corps water security program activities accordingly.
• Support the institutionalization of water service delivery models in line with cluster standards and prevailing government regulations in Ethiopia.
• Lead implementation of all technical components of water infrastructure projects in full coordination with other staff members.
• Lead and oversee the pilot evaluation of PPPs in the water sector in Amhara region, Ethiopia.
• Provide strategic direction, project management, and stakeholder engagement for the pilot evaluation.
• Set clear objectives, manage the overall management of the pilot evaluation, and monitor the progress to address challenges and keep the assessments on track.
• Maintain strong relationships with donors, collaborate with Mercy Corps teams, and engage stakeholders to gather input and ensure their active involvement throughout the process.
• Report project progress, disseminate findings, and provide operational support for the pilot evaluation.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, implement communication strategies, and work with their team to consolidate technical assessments into concise recommendations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive the evaluation towards informed decision-making and potential PPP implementation, contributing to the advancement of water supply services in rural Ethiopia.
• 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 field.
• Working closely with the Mercy Corps Ethics Team to support them in conducting spot checks to ensure infrastructure projects are as per technical documents and donor guidelines are followed.
• Lead QA/QC process ensuring all technical reviews are conducted according to best practices.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target, and within budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• 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 & 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.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Create and maintain systems 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 emergency programming.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A  

Accountability

1. Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Technical reporting: N/A

Works Directly with Global Water Security director, Consultants, PaQ director, Data Analytics Manager, Country CARM advisor, GEDSI advisor, other support functions (Operations and Finance),

Knowledge and Experience

• Educational background – At least five years of senior program management experience in water-related sectors is required, including experience in implementing medium/large water infrastructure projects.
• A master’s degree in water/civil engineering, finance, urban planning, water utility, public health, business management, or another relevant field.
• Technical knowledge – At least eight years of experience working in the water and sanitation sector programs at an international or national level.
• Experience in private sector development in water services or other sectors is preferred.
• A clear understanding of the key performance indicators of a utility is preferred.
• Experience working on urban water supply systems, small towns water supply systems, community-based water supply, and sanitation program implementation and operation is essential.
• A good understanding of the operational challenges of water service providers in Ethiopia,
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in strengthening policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services.
• Understanding and experience in a cultural context – Demonstrated working experience in the Amhara region is highly desirable, preferably in leading WASH program implementation or research activities. Strong familiarity with the Ethiopian context, rural water supply challenges, and the water sector landscape is highly desirable. 
• Language skills – Fluent in English is required. Fluency in Amharic is required. Knowledge of other local languages is advantageous.
• Facilitation skills – Creating and maintaining a conducive and participatory environment for the group process, using appropriate methods and tools to engage the participants, encourage dialogue, and foster collaboration.

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.

 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.

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 Addis Ababawith 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