PROJECT OFFICER

Overview

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Position Details

Position Title : Project Officer

Duty Station : Addis Ababa

Open Position : 1

Mercy Corps has been operating in Ethiopia since 2004. In partnership with civil society organizations, academic institutions, private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Ethiopia has reached more than five million Ethiopians with interventions to save lives and build secure livelihoods. Our programs emphasize market-driven solutions, reinforce social bonds, and help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. Our strategic directions focus on promoting inclusive and dynamic markets; promoting peace and social cohesion through strengthening formal / informal governance structures and citizen engagement; improved natural resource governance; and integrated humanitarian response. The two-year program “Empowering Families, Enriching Lives : Scaling LIWAY’s Childcare Models for Two-Generational ECD” runs September 2024 – August 2026 in Addis Ababa, funded by the Conrad Hilton Foundation. It proposes scalable, evidence-based childcare solutions and market-driven models supporting vulnerable families, particularly internally displaced people, refugees, and host communities.

The project focuses on expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare by establishing new centers and upgrading existing ones. It aims to reduce childcare burdens on women to enable education, skills training, and employment, and it integrates childcare support into labor market interventions to improve job opportunities, training, and entrepreneurship for women and youth.

Through policy advocacy and partnerships with government agencies, private sector actors, and development organizations, the project seeks to drive systemic reforms and sustainable childcare solutions. It utilizes a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to catalyze market-based solutions that create jobs and raise incomes for women, youth, and displaced communities.

General Position Summary

The Project Officer is the driver of childcare and livelihood activities, responsible for hands-on implementation and engagement with refugees, host and IDP communities. This role works with partners and government offices to deliver inclusive, high-impact services that improve early childhood development (ECD) and economic opportunities for vulnerable women.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Intervention Design & Implementation

• Support development and implementation of innovative market-based interventions, focusing on childcare services, labor market / employment opportunities, and technical and vocational skill development that address root causes of market failure and promote inclusive economic growth.
• Support design of interventions and concept notes, including viable business models that consider vulnerable women (Host, Refugees and IDPs).
• Support design of interventions that build social cohesion and foster trust among Host, Refuge and IDP communities.
• Support identification, assessment, and onboarding of relevant key market players (implementing partners).
• Support mapping of key market actors, value chains, and support services, considering vulnerable women (Host, Refuge and IDP) communities.

Project Implementation

Knowledge And Experience

Success Factors

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability to program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, and to uphold international standards guiding relief and development work. Communities are actively engaged as equal partners in design, monitoring, and evaluation of field projects.

Ongoing Learning

We empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that advance their personal and / or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team and culture, recognizing that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and outcomes.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination. We seek diverse backgrounds and skills to achieve sustained impact. We provide a respectful and safe work environment and prohibit discrimination on any basis in locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to safeguarding and ethical conduct, including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. We uphold the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and require completion of Code of Conduct elearning upon hire and annually.

All qualified individuals are invited to apply for the advertised position. Applications, including a CV and three references, must be sent electronically. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer encouraging gender, equity, and diversity. Deadline for all applications : 27 October 2025 / 4 : 00 PM.

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