Back Country Director - Ethiopia

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program

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 years 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. Strategy focuses in the four outcome areas of: 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 empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

The Position

The Mercy Corps Ethiopia Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully developing and managing all operations and programs resulting in lasting improvement in the lives of Ethiopians. Looking to grow our interventions that have directly resulted in lasting improvement in the lives of Ethiopians, s/he will continue to develop sustainable, multi-sector programming that is accountable to the Ethiopian Government, participants and donors. A bold and visionary leader who values innovative solutions to development issues and creative partnerships, s/he identifies and pursues funding opportunities that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio, guided by a long-term strategy. The Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team. The Country Director must be comfortable leading “from the middle” a team of high performers; be able to confidently represent at high-level forums to influence and secure ongoing investment; nurture a culture of shared excellence based on learning and trust; and take considered risks in innovating and negotiating within a society that is in rapid change. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of Ethiopians.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY, VISION & CULTURE

• Formulate, plan and communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Lead the annual country planning process and provide strategic updates.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
• Foster a culture of learning and adaptation where programme and support actions evolve to become increasingly fit for purpose.
• Explore, evaluate and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities; support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.

  INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

  • Build strong and productive relationships with Government of Ethiopia, private sector partners, local government, foundations, etc. and leverage these relationships to build win-win partnerships to drive development objectives in the country.
  • Anticipate needs, understand donor strategies and contribute to shaping donor and partner’s views on development.
  • Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities that support the objectives for the country as a whole.
  • Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in
  • community activities as appropriate.
  • Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
  • Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

    TEAM MANAGEMENT

    • Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
    • Recruit, manage, motivate, and onboard an informed, skilled and efficient team with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, incorporating staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team building process.
    • Establish leadership and personal credibility with the Mercy Corps team, and implement by example an organizational culture of accountability, responsibility, and quality of services.
    • Ensure excellent human resource plans are available and consistent with Mercy Corps policies, including position descriptions, personnel orientation and professional development plans, personnel evaluation system, field, personnel policy manual, and personnel grievance procedure system.
    • Demonstrate commitment to promoting gender, diversity, and inclusion outcomes within the team, and create a safe and empowering work environment where all voices are respected and empowered.
    • 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.

      PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

      • Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
      • Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations, policies and procedures, and the implementation of appropriate risk mitigation measures to reduce Mercy Corps exposure to potential risk.
      • Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guidance.
      • Build and maintain an environment of collaboration among program, finance, operations and human resource team members resulting in optimal support for program activities.
      • 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.

        FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

        • Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
        • Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
        • Coordinate overall country budget; manage budget within approved spending levels and establish an annual cash flow plan to ensure a steady and adequate supply of funds for program activities.

          INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

          • Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.
          • Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, etc.
          • Anticipate needs, understand donor pool, and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
          • Explore, evaluate, and present innovative funding opportunities that support the objectives for the country as a whole.
          • Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
          • Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
          • Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

            SECURITY

            • Liaise with the Regional Security Advisor, Country Safety and Security Manager, and Deputy Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.
            • Ensure the safety and security of staff members through regular review and adaptation of security protocols and procedures including the regularly updated country security plan.

              Supervisory Responsibility

              Director of Programs, Finance Director, Senior Operations Manager, Human Resources Director, Chief of Party, Program Performance and Quality Director, and Ethics and Compliance Manager

              Accountability

              Reports Directly To: Deputy Regional Director

              Works Directly With: Regional team, Global Programs team, Finance, compliance, resource development, Technical Support Unit, and other Country Directors in the region.

              📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

              ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

              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 Qualifications & Transferable Skills

              • BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
              • 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including
              • demonstrable success in managing large, complex, transitional development programs.
              • 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
              • Demonstrated success managing and bringing together a multi-cultural team with team members
              • in multiple offices.
              • Successful and proven representation, negotiation, communication and organization skills.
              • Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and success in securing funding for country programs.
              • Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government,
              • private sector, INGO, local partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
              • Proven skills in financial and grants management
              • An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to
              • obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
              • Excellent oral and written English skills required.
              • Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
              • Previous work experience in countries where travel to insecure areas is required, and
              • management of programs in insecure locations.
              • Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster situations as appropriate.

                Success Factors

                The successful Ethiopia CD will set a bold, transformative vision for Mercy Corps’ programing in Ethiopia and skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. The role is a hands-on position and success will be determined by the level of direct engagement in program development, oversight of projects, fundraising for new projects and representing the agency to stakeholders. The successful CD should welcome multi-tasking and taking an active role in program design and overarching strategy. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

                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 35% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments. Addis Ababa is host to many international organizations including the Africa Union, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters based in the capital city.

                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 in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

                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 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 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 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.