Deputy Chief of Party / Livestock Production & Marketing Advisor

Primary Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full time

Current Employee: N/A

This position is based on an award of funding.

Program / Department Summary:

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) will play a key leadership role in the implementation of a proposed five-year $48 million program to support increased resiliency and incomes for pastoralist communities in Ethiopia.

General Position Summary:

The DCOP will assist the COP in projects oversight, technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management of the project. In absence of the COP; the D/COP will undertake some of the responsibilities.

The D/COP with the assistance of other personnel will provide technical assistance in IR 1: improving productivity and competitiveness of the livestock and livestock products; working closely with the AGP-LGP especially in the ‘PUSH’ and “PULL’ linkages.

Working closely with M&E advisor the DCOP will oversee M&E functions all components for quality reporting, to report on results, document best practices and lessons to share with development partners and influence policy and practice.

Essential Job Functions:

Program Implementation: Provide leadership and strategic vision to the pastoral livestock and marketing components of the PRIME program including workplan develop, market analysis, partnership selection and management, and overall sector strategy.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting: Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems. Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner. Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building: In close partnership with the COP, create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels. Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback. Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Direct supervision of: Pastoral production and marketing program team, M&E Advisor

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: NRM/Climate Change Advisor, Knowledge and Learning Officer, Alternative Livelihoods Advisor, Operations and Finance team.

Knowledge And Experience:

• MA/S in international development, livestock, agriculture, economics, or related field of study
• 5-10 years of overseas experience in Pastoral/livestock development programs, in particular pastoralists livestock marketing, production, natural resource management and animal health services, including five years in a senior management position
• Strong understanding of U.S. government compliance issues
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues
• Experience in value chain development, facilitation and agribusiness is added advantage
• 5+ years’ experience in Ethiopia or the Horn of Africa required

Success Factors:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, M&E skills and experiences. Good inter-personal relationships and networking; and established relationship with and/or substantive knowledge of key players in Ethiopia Pastoralists and livestock sector,

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:

This position will be based in Addis Ababa and is accompanied for spouse and children.

Addis Ababa is the political and commercial heart of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1877, it is now a sprawling, hospitable city of 4 million people located at an elevation of 2,200 meters in the foothills of Mount Entoto.

Modern buildings and wide-open boulevards stand side by side with historic churches, palaces and monuments as well as simple country-style huts. Addis Ababa has basic health services and adequate international schools, K-12.

There are ample opportunities for in-country vacations. The weather is temperate year-round with a heavy rainy season in the summer months. Addis Ababa hosts many international organizations including the OAU, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters there.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.

Apply online through our job board: http://www.mercycorps.org/jobs.