Organization: Mercy Corps
Location: Hawassa
Grade: Mid level – Mid level
Occupational Groups:
Environment
Logistics
Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
Cash-Based Interventions
Human Settlements (Shelter, Housing, Land, Property)
Closing Date: 2025-01-08

About Mercy Corps

The idea that a better world is possible is what drives Mercy Corps. In order to accomplish this, we know that diverse teams that feel like they belong perform at their best. To be stronger and make a lasting impression, we embrace people with all origins, viewpoints, and abilities.

Since 2004, Mercy Corps has been working in Ethiopia to promote innovative and revolutionary ideas. It collaborates closely with the government, private sector, and civil society actors to create a more resilient nation while making sure that programs are informed and responsive to stakeholders and participants. Our goal is to improve livelihoods and food access by developing market systems in communities affected by climate change and conflict.as well as clean, drinkable water to survive emergencies. The four outcome areas that are the emphasis of our strategy are: 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to safe, nutritious food that is produced sustainably; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are established in communities affected by crises; 4) People have equitable, long-term access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use; and 5) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified their livelihoods, income, and assets. We currently work with a wide range of donors, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), and the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, and Addis Ababa city administration.

Overview of the Program or Department

The PSNP HHs’ livelihood assets and development gains are safeguarded by the High Land Resilience Activity (HRA) Crisis Modifier project for the Centra Ethiopia Region, which responds to flood and hailstorm hazards. By providing direct cash transfers and agricultural production inputs, the crisis modification project seeks to improve food security for the most vulnerable populations in the Soro and Shashego woredas in the Central Ethiopia Region-Hadiya Zone. PSNP HHs who participate in public work and are more vulnerable to shocks and stressors will be the project’s target populations. Direct cash transfers or commodities vouchers for in-kind help will be used to manage the program’s two main components, which will aid in the rapid recovery of livelihoods. Every element

General Position Summary

The HRA Crisis Modifier The crisis modifier project will be managed by a cash and voucher specialist, who will also work with the field-based team leader and zonal coordinator stationed in Hosaena (immediate supervisor) to oversee the cash transfer and voucher-based commodity distribution on a daily basis. The primary duty is to offer general technical guidance on the efficient use of cash and vouchers, enabling PSNP HHs to participate in petty commerce and agricultural production. Leading the overall administration of cash and voucher aid is one of the main duties.

establish a cash transfer modality and agreement with financial service providers; establish an agreement with input suppliers and actors; guarantee timely cash transfers and distributions of agricultural inputs; and facilitate market actors’ timely provision of suggested agricultural inputs to targeted PSNP HHs. He or she will work with the MEL team to assist the post-distribution monitoring. The cash and voucher expert answers to the HRA Hadiya Zonal program coordinator and is in charge of the project’s overall cash and voucher administration.

Responsibilities

Program planning and Implementation

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of cash transfer and Agricultural inputs delivery through voucher and off farm activities in the project.
• Ensuring that cash assistance is delivered to targeted beneficiaries as per predetermined targeting criteria.
• Lead beneficiary identification, selection and independent or joint verification processes as per jointly set criteria to ensure impartiality, in coordination with project team members, local authorities and communities.
• Facilitate and monitor the proper distribution and documentation of cash payments and agricultural inputs to beneficiaries.
• Ensure programs are implemented according to established timelines and standards.
• Actively participate in Rapid Assessments, market assessments, capacity assessment of Cooperative, unions, Agro-dealer, pullet growers, Financial Service Providers and other digital cash transfer.
• Ensure that the program resources are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner and handed over or completed in a way that promotes local capacities and sustainable operations.
• Keep record of all required documents related to cash and voucher program, beneficiary selection, distribution and post distribution monitoring.
• Ensure mainstreaming of MC Ethiopia’s cross-cutting issues of gender equity, Child Safeguarding.

• Work closely with the Zonal coordinator, Team Leader, and other Local Implementing partner staffs based in Soro/Shashego to implement the market-based livelihood recovery through the cash and voucher system and strategy.
• Ensure all the Crisis modifier team members and partners to have a clear understanding on the cash and voucher implementation approach and strategy.
• Participate in woreda and zone coordination meetings and ensure documentation and delivery of action points.

• Perform other functions as requested by the immediate supervisor.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

• Adhere to program learning systems and strengthen the effort to document the impact of the livelihood recovery activities.
• Prepare quarterly and monthly plans, aligned with the project plan under cash and voucher programming targets.
• Facilitate regular context monitoring to support updating and adapting activities for the greatest impact.
• Regularly provide communication on cash and voucher status to zonal and regional coordinators and team leaders; provide regular updates on context, project progress, effectiveness of project approaches, and partnerships.
• Contribute to and guide learning visits and assessments to understand the cash and voucher implementation approaches and modalities, results, in line with the quick recovery of the PSNP HHs.

• Closely work with the Team Leader and MEL team to continuously monitor, ensure implementation quality, and support the learning development process.

• Ensure the cash and voucher program targets and approach are being met, by implementing activities in accordance with the agreed work plans and timelines, and report discrepancies and changes to the zonal coordinator.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of weekly, monthly and quarterly project reports internally to Zonal coordinator and MEL team.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Work closely with Mercy Corps team members, financial service providers (FSPs), key stakeholders, and community representatives to ensure effective program implementation.
• Participate in relevant Zone and Woreda level coordination meetings and represent Mercy Corps as required.

• Closely work with Kebeles structures and support the local committees organized to facilitate the targeting and ensure the right HHs received the targeted commodity and cash.
• Ensures Kebele administration, Development Agents, and beneficiary communities are actively engaged in program monitoring that HHs used the cash for the intended purpose and applied the right extension for improved agricultural production.

• Foster strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and other partners.

 GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence of gender minimum standards
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture
• Coordinate with GEDSI Technical Team Improve gender-responsiveness of program /Project MEAL system
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HRA Zonal Program Coordinator, Hadiya Zone

Technical Line Report To: Crisis Modifier, Team Leader

Works Directly With: Team Leader, HRA Zonal Program Coordinator-Hadiya Zone, Regional Program Coordinator (Sidama, Central and Soth Ethiopia Region), Governance Technical Lead-Addis Abeba.

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.

Requirements:

Knowledge and Experience

• BSc degree or equivalent in afield related to Business management, Economics, Rural development, Agricultural economics, Agri business, Cooperative business management or any other relevant field
• At least four years of experience in humanitarian organization(s) in cash and voucher assistance (CVA) and livelihood programming, preferably in relief and recovery programs targeting vulnerable community groups.
• At least 2 years’ experience in an international NGO preferably in an emergency or recovery programs
• Strong understanding of cash transfer modalities, livelihood strategies, and Humanitarian principles and standards.
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, implementation, and reporting.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including local authorities, community representatives, FSPs, and NGOs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, and design packages).
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of gender, equity, diversity, inclusion and PSHEA (safeguarding) through programming experience TOT or any training in Cash and Vouchers Programming is a plus.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages is an asset.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will possess excellent leadership skills, with the ability to maintain abroad perspective in humanitarian and recovery, particularly the cash and voucher system application. He/she will undertake innovative and creative approaches, be agile in the conceptualization of new program ideas, and will be well versed in strategic thinking and planning including openness to test new ways to work with private sector actors. The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex situation in the rural part of Hadiya zone. He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. The successful candidate will be focused on the technical application of the cash and voucher programing in collaboration with the private actors and , have a knowledge in monitoring and evaluation of recovery programs.

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.

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.

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 empowering women and youth.”

DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS:  08 January 2025/ 4:00 PM

How to apply

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