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About the Job
Contingent upon funding!
Position Title: KEY EXPERT 2: MIGRATION AND FORCED DISPLACEMENT
Duty Station: Addis Ababa
Open Position: 1
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.
The Programme
This opportunity focuses on providing technical assistance to strengthen economic transformation in areas affected by conflict and migration in Ethiopia. The specific objective of the contract is to support and enhance the capacity of the local economy to generate employment opportunities within existing and potential value chains. These efforts will target refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, fostering inclusive economic development and resilience.
The Position(General Position Summary)
The expert will work closely with stakeholders to address the challenges of migration and forced displacement, focusing on developing durable solutions for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. This includes conducting comprehensive analyses of political, social, and environmental factors impacting migration and displacement, designing reintegration pathways for returnees, and fostering socio-economic opportunities. By engaging diaspora communities and promoting collaboration between government and development partners, the expert will support efforts to strengthen resilience, facilitate inclusive development, and operationalise the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus in migration contexts.
Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below – Adapt to Specific Role)
STRATEGY AND PLANNING
- Collaborate with programme leadership to develop and implement strategies addressing migration and forced displacement in line with the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus.
- Support the identification and analysis of key geographical areas and sectors with potential for improving livelihoods of IDPs, refugees, returnees, and host communities.
- Coordinate with government institutions, development partners, and diaspora communities to ensure alignment with national and regional migration policies and frameworks.
- Lead the development and dissemination of comprehensive reports, including baseline assessments, conflict analyses, and performance metrics, to inform evidence-based decision-making.
REGIONAL SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
- Review and support country team adherence to Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures;
- Assist in capturing and disseminating best practices on operations, finance and HR systems across country teams to ensure highest quality and standards.
- Provide dedicated support to country team in the event of an emergency or start up of a complex program that requires additional resources.
- Collaborate with country finance leads in producing bi-annual master budgets.
HUMAN RESOURCES, SAFEGUARDING AND DIVERSITY
- Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development;
- Collaborate with the people team to promote staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development;
RISK MANAGEMENT
- Engage and support the programme team to ensure that adequate risk management systems are in place;
- Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events;
- Engage with country team on the internal audit process to track findings and ensure country team compliance with IA findings and recommendations;
- Engage with country level Ethics and Assurance managers as well as the global Ethics and Assurance department to track and analyze trends and needs across countries;
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Key Expert 1: Team Leader
Works Directly With: Programme team (Key and Non Key Experts), country leadership and heads of Finance, Operations and HR departments.
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.
About You
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
Qualifications and skills
- Master’s Degree in development studies, or social anthropology, or sociology, or political sciences, or migration studies, or a relevant, directly related discipline, or, in its absence, equivalent relevant professional experience of minimum 10
General professional experience
- Minimum 5 years professional experience in assignments with governments or development partners in promoting Durable Solutions for forcibly displaced people and in migration issues;
- Minimum 5 years professional experience in advisory services or project management in Sub- Saharan Africa. Relevant experience in Ethiopia would be an advantage;
- An excellent verbal and written command of English is
Specific professional experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience on producing context, political, conflict and environmental analysis of refugee/host community relations and programming ;
- Minimum 3 years of experience (even in different assignments) on mixed migration (refugees, IDPs, internal and external migration flows including root causes of migration) related issues
- Minimum 3 years of experience (even in different assignments) in designing re-integration pathways for returnees with a focus on socio-economic opportunities and/or learning pathways;
- Minimum 2 years of experience (even in different assignments) on programmes/interventions engaging diaspora communities/ associations in various forms of support to their original communities;
- Minimum 1 assignment on the implementation or/and operationalisation of the HDP Nexus in the field of mixed migration flows and/or Durable Solutions;
- Must have conducted at least 3 assignments relating to training of officials in the field of sector reforms on reintegration of returnees, legal migration pathways for potential migrants, socio- economic integration of displaced population and their host communities and other relevant topics.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, and community groups. They will exhibit strong leadership and coordination abilities, fostering collaboration across teams in complex political and social contexts. Adaptable and resourceful, they can manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure. With a strategic mindset and commitment to gender equity and inclusion, they will integrate these principles into programme design and implementation. Proficiency in facilitation, capacity building, and problem-solving will support continuous improvement and effective stakeholder engagement. Fluency in English is essential for clear communication and report writing.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it may require up to 40% travel to support country programme, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
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. 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.
Required Skills
- Communication
How To Apply
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.
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: December 26 2024 / 4:00 PM