Market System Development Team Lead | Addis Ababa

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.

Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Position Status

Full-time or Part-time, Exempt or Non-exempt, Regular or Temporary

Salary Level

Refer to the relevant salary scale

Risk Level

Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability.Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.Level 1: Likely to have no contact with participants or sensitive data.

About Livelihoods Improvement For Women And Youth (LIWAY)

LIWAY is an eleven-year program (July 2017 to December 2028) funded by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It aims to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and social stability in Addis Ababa by increasing incomes through improved wage and self‑employment opportunities, primarily for poor women and youth. The objective is to increase incomes of 400,000 poor people (phase one: July 2017‑June 2026; phase two: March 2025‑December 2028), with at least 200,000 (50 %) women and 75 % youth. LIWAY applies a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach that involves identifying the root causes of market failure that disadvantage or exclude poor women and youth and identifying private companies and public institutions capable of delivering change. The program works in four interrelated market systems—Labour, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE), Medium and Large Enterprises (MLE), and Skills—selected based on their relevance to the target group, potential impact, and feasibility. These systems are interconnected and together contribute to structural transformation.

LIWAY II will run until December 2028, aiming to broaden and scale its impact, including addressing climate change and the needs of internally displaced persons in growing urban areas. The program is implemented by a consortium of partners, comprising Mercy Corps and SNV Netherlands Development Organization.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Team Lead is responsible for overall management and implementation of LIWAY’s priority sectors, including any upcoming additional funds and corresponding staff. The Team Lead will ensure harmonization between this work and that of other partners, roll out technical strategies, guide program planning and implementation using the MSD approach, and proactively address challenges. They will monitor and analyse the program environment and progress, apply monitoring and evaluation tools, manage risks, and advise on timely adjustments using adaptive management strategies. 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 of consortium partners and technical consultants.

Program Management (30%)

• Establish work plans, activities, targets, budgets, measurement standards, and determine processes, tools, and methodologies to ensure effective 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, identify risks, and take timely action for early resolution.
• Ensure full compliance with Mercy Corps rules and regulations, financial policies, accounting systems, and audit recommendations.
• Ensure timely donor and government reporting and other required reporting.
• Responsible for financial management and reporting of the program.
• Actively support knowledge building, sharing, and application in the program.
• Engage a wide range of public and private actors—businesses, financial service providers, labor associations, training institutions, city mayor offices—to establish partnerships and manage relationships regularly.
• Plan own work, manage conflicting priorities, and work under pressure of tight and conflicting deadlines.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationships.

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 Intervention Leads on measuring results and system level performance.
• 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.
• Provide information, tools, and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Exhibit strong leadership to guide a multicultural team in difficult circumstances.
• Lead the identification of 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.

Accountability

Reports directly to the Deputy Program Manager/ Deputy Chief of Party. Works directly with LIWAY Program Manager, core technical team, MC Regional Finance coordinator, MC HQ program officer/s, and Mercy Corps senior leadership team members. Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to program participants, community partners, and stakeholders, following international standards guiding relief and development work.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• MSC/MBA/BA degree in Business, Business Administration, Economics, Finance and Development, Agricultural Economics, Business Management or related social science fields.
• At least 5 years of work experience, preferably in MSD programs, including 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 the financial sector, and an international development organization are an advantage.
• Understanding of the Market Systems Development Approach (MSD) is required.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project sites and field locations, including insecure environments, is required.

Success Factors

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

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and requires close work with SNV‑based LIWAY team members, including occasional presence at the SNV office.

Organizational Learning

Team members commit 5 % of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and themselves.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

We build our team and collaborate by bringing together individuals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, fostering a culture of trust and respect. We value every team member’s contributions, empower them to reach their full potential, and motivate them to excel.

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, striving for sustained global impact. We commit to a respectful, psychologically safe environment with opportunities available to all, regardless of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, 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 ensures all individuals we engage—team members, community members, program participants—are treated with respect and dignity. We uphold the principles of preventing sexual exploitation and abuse as outlined by the UN Secretary‑General and IASC, and we are signatories to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Team members must conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct, completing mandatory e‑Learning courses upon hire and annually. If any form of sexual misconduct occurs during recruitment, please report it to the Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ( ).

Application Process

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. Applications—including a CV, three references, and all applicable official papers—must be submitted electronically.

Only short‑listed candidates 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: July 5, 2026