Market System Development Team Lead

The Position

The Team Lead is responsible for overall management and implementation of LIWAY’s priority sectors, including any upcoming additional funds and staff in line with the program approach and priorities. The Team Lead ensures harmonization between this work and that of other partners within the overall approach and direction of the LI-WAY program, and the strategy of Mercy Corps Ethiopia. He/she is responsible for the roll‑out of technical strategies, provides guidance on program planning and implementation using Market Systems Development Approach, ensures effective implementation of all activities, proactively addresses challenges, monitors and analyzes the program environment and progress, applies monitoring and evaluation and risk management tools, and advises on timely adjustments using adaptive management strategies and corrective measures as necessary. The Team Lead reports to the Deputy Program Manager.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy and Planning (10%)

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
• Lead regular sector and program strategy review process in collaboration with senior management and consortium partners as well as with internal/external technical consultants.

Program Management (30%)

• Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools, and methodologies to be used to ensure effective program implementation.
• Oversee partnership formation and co‑creation processes for each pipeline intervention including MOUs & contracts and ongoing program management and administration of the team.
• Ensure gender integration and mainstreaming are incorporated into mission level strategic and annual planning efforts.
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.
• Ensure full compliance with Mercy Corps rules and regulations and policies on financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow‑up on audit recommendations.
• Ensure timely donor and government reporting and any other additional reporting.
• Responsible for financial management of the program and financial reporting.
• Actively support knowledge building, sharing, and applying in the program.
• Engage a wide range of public and private actors (businesses, financial service providers, labor associations, training institutions, city offices) in establishing partnership and managing relationships on a regular basis.
• Plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
• Maintain strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective partnerships and working relations.

Technical Leadership (20%)

• Develop and oversee implementation of the Technical Unit and partner capacity building strategy that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data.
• Work closely with the internal and partner MRM team to guide the Intervention Leads on measuring results and system level.
• Support capacity‑building and gender integration into the programs.
• Provide technical leadership for intervention design, implementation and sharing of learnings for intervention leads.

Team Management (40%)

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Lead a multicultural team in difficult circumstances.
• Identify program issues, challenges and risks, recommend appropriate actions and implement them.
• Mentor and coach team members as they perform their duties.

Supervisory Responsibility

Manage the LIWAY Intervention Leads.

Minimum Qualifications

• MSC/MBA/BA degree in Business, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Development, Agricultural Economics, Business Management or related social science fields.
• At least 5 years of work experience, preferably in MSD programs, especially enterprise development skill market, output and input services, urban/rural labor market, business development services, technical skills training, agricultural/non‑agricultural value chains, inclusive financial services, product & strategy development.
• Managerial and supervisory experience and demonstrated partnership management skills are preferred.
• Previous work experience in the private sector, including financial sector, and international development organization is an advantage.
• Understanding of Market Systems Development Approach (MSD) is needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations, including traveling to insecure environments.

Success Factors

Excellent intercultural, interpersonal, negotiation skills; strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; excellent communication, facilitation, partnerships, and networking skills; business‑minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, and results‑motivated.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and requires close work with the SNV‑based LIWAY team members, including the need to physically locate at the SNV office as required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek 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, 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—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. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and 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.