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 Zimbabwe since 2002, leading innovative programming focusing on evidence-based solutions that have lasting impact and build resilience. Resilience building is an agency priority and involves using a systems-based approach that builds on proven solutions, accesses new ideas and information, and integrates multiple sectors and partnerships to strengthen food and water security, economic opportunities, and climate change adaptation. Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent environmental and economic shocks that affect the wellbeing of its communities and undermine development investments. Mercy Corps puts resilience at the core of its strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans by building communities’ capacities and strengthening systems and institutions. MC Zimbabwe therefore seeks to support communities in Zimbabwe to move towards sustainable development through building resilience and strong inclusive systems in the face of climatic and economic shocks and stresses.
Mercy Corps is anticipating the Urban Resilience, Inclusion, and Socioeconomic Empowerment (U-RISE) project. The overall goal is to enhance the resilience and well-being of poor and vulnerable urban communities. It aims to achieve this by improving vulnerable communities’ business and technical skills, inclusive market and private sector linkages, and financial inclusion approaches (Outcome 1). This is complemented by enabling environmental work at national and city level to create an enabling policy environment (Outcome 2). To spread learning, the project will disseminate best practices, coordinate with other resilience projects, and collaborate with national and global SDC projects.
The Economic Opportunities and Area Manager is responsible for technical management of all Outcome 1 activities. They will work with the Team Lead, Outcome 2 Lead, and Outcome 3/MERL Lead, and with Technical Support from Consortium Partners to design the overall economic engagement strategy, adapt programming, capture lessons learned, and ensure interventions achieve maximum impact while remaining on schedule and budget. The Economic Opportunities and Area Manager will also provide day-to-day supervision of all project activities in the Mutare Area.
Technical Leadership and Project Implementation
Area Management
● Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
● Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
● Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Mutare Area implementation team
Reports Directly To: Team Lead
Works Directly With: Consortium Technical Support, Outcome 2 Lead, Outcome 3/ MEAL Lead
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.
● Bachelors or Masters in Business, Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, or related field.
● 5-7 years of experience in Zimbabwe on system thinking, Market System Development, Livelihood development or Entrepreneurship in development programming or with the private sector.
● Experience working with and successfully engaging Private Sector companies within project activities is required.
● Demonstrated project management skills.
● 5 + years of experience managing diverse teams.
● Experience designing and supporting impactful capacity strengthening on technical approaches.
● Excellent oral and written English skills. Must speak Shona or Ndebele.
A successful Economic Opportunities and Area Manager is a systems thinker and leader who puts people at the center of partnering with market actors to create solutions to development challenges. They will combine excellent management and soft skills, relevant programmatic background, and experience in building and maintaining local stakeholder and partner relationships. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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.
The position is based in Mutare and requires frequent travel within the city and to surrounding areas. The position will also provide technical leadership to staff in Bulawayo. This will require regular travel to Bulawayo to monitor activities and train staff.
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
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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.
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.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).