The Market Systems for Employment Team Lead will provide technical leadership and expertise to the off-farm non-agricultural sectors and the wage and employment sectors for the Activity. The Team lead is an innovative and bold leader who will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and management of the program’s technical strategy and specific activities in relation to off-farm non-agricultural enterprises, wage and employment interventions in close collaboration with local, national, and international partners and stakeholders. The performance of this role will be determined by the opportunities created to expand, link, and innovate for off-farm enterprises by increasing their productivity and the wage and employment opportunities for PSNP households. The Technical lead will also play a critical role in Subsequently all interventions should lead to increased and sustained incomes, diversified livelihoods and all year all dietary requirements for PSNP households are met.  The Team lead will also manage technical teams and supervise staff.

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM QUALITY – Off-farm Non-agricultural, wage and employment

• Provide technical leadership and direction to program staff, participants, and diverse partners, including government, civil society organizations, communities, and households.

• Ensure high-quality program design for technical areas, develop client-centered and market-driven approaches to deliver measurable impact, and ensure technical and operational excellence in the execution of program activities and services.

• Take leadership in identifying, addressing, and adapting to program quality needs and gaps as they arise. Collaborate with other senior technical staff to problem solve.

• Supervise and/or review the work of technical consultants.

PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Oversee activities that are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.

• Explore ways to increase women’s, girls, and boys’ participation in all aspects of Off-farm non-agricultural and wage and employment sectors

• Proactively pursue partnerships with private sector and civil society actors to increase opportunities in Off farm non-agricultural sectors and the wage and employment sectors ensuring emergence of new entrants and catalyzing significant opportunities in the wage and employment sector especially in rural markets that benefit PSNP participants. Support increased private sector investment in target areas.

• Work in close collaboration with the Livelihood Specialist to expand rural livelihoods opportunities through market expansion and introduction of new private-sector driven income opportunities in the off-farm non-agricultural sectors and the wage and employment opportunities.

• Provide training and support for HRA staff and partners on market systems for employment

• Integrate locally driven approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.

• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice for market development and resilience programming.

• Engage with relevant government agencies to improve rules, regulations, and infrastructure to support improved rural market systems.

LEARNING AND IMPACT

• Work with the HRA Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure that monitoring and evaluation aligns with program objectives, captures technical learning, and incorporates learning into program adjustments.

• Lead market and labor/wage market assessments and other assessments and surveys that may be deemed fit and develop learning products, such as case studies and short articles. Contribute to dissemination of learning products among program stakeholders.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• As needed, represent Mercy Corps at program, government, donor, NGO, or other relevant events, in close coordination with HRA leadership.

• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

• Work in close collaboration with the global employment team to spread learning across programs and countries.

Supervisory Responsibility

Required to supervise teams of technical staff at Addis and the regional level.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: HRA Technical and Implementation Director

Works Directly With: The HRA Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, implementing partners

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and 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 Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Degree in Business Management, Marketing, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Economics or related field (master’s degree preferred)

• 5+ years of experience of increasingly proficient management and/or technical support in MSD programming, with at least one job experience in a globally well-reputed MSD project.

• Proven experience assessing markets and working with private sector partners

• Employment programming experience preferred

• Strong ability to understand and manage multiple stakeholders and complex relationships at multiple levels of the organization.

• Willingness and ability to travel / knowledge of context (as needed)

• A proven proactive approach to work and self-driven leadership.

• Fluency in English is required, with strong written and oral communication skills.

• Fluency in local languages preferred demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including national and subnational government, donors, donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and civil society organization familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements preferred

Success Factors

The successful Market Systems for Employment Team Lead will combine deep technical skills and experience collaborating with and supporting a variety of partners from the public and private sectors. Must be flexible, creative, innovative and enthusiastic about inclusive economic growth and resilience strengthening. Candidates must be self-starters who are able to manage competing priorities, learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results. They will also have proven experience working with cross-cultural teams and partner capacity building. 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.

 Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and requires up to 40% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.