Mercy Corps is Looking for Resilient Livelihoods and Markets Team Lead – Nairobi, Kenya

Job Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department Summary

With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps’ Nawiri Program is leading a consortium of Kenyan and international partners on a five year journey to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya. Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society. Mercy Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions. Together we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu counties.

The Position

The  Resilient Livelihoods Team Lead will be responsible for guiding, supporting and overseeing all Nawiri Program team and activities related to strengthening resilient livelihoods from a “push” perspective, ensuring marginalized, underserved, ultra-poor households are able to practice market-oriented, sustainable, and resilient livelihoods that support nutrition in the last mile.  The position will be responsible for technical and program quality in implementation across all resilient livelihoods components, including livestock and agricultural production, financial services, and off and non-farm oriented activities in particular graduation models (REAP4 Nutrition). S/he will be responsible for driving strategies that identify and strengthen the capacity of private sector actors across all levels of the program.  S/he will provide direct technical expertise in market-oriented livelihood activities and lead local private sector engagement and partnerships in the last mile, while ensuring appropriate technical quality and aligning support as needed across all resilient livelihoods components. S/he will have a strong understanding of integrated approaches, and how to complement, layer and integrate resilient activities into other program activities, including peer-to-peer support groups focused on nutrition, care, and reproductive health.  S/he will guide the resilient livelihoods team in technical excellence and program quality, and ensure all program targets are met in line with BHA requirements and standards.  S/he will be responsible for meeting all BHA and Nawiri program requirements related to work planning, reporting, and results measurement. S/he will oversee partnerships related to resilient livelihoods and private sector engagement across the program, including linked to water and health.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

• The ideal candidate, should hold an advanced degree in Business Management, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or Economics with major focus on rural livelihoods, resilience and/or livestock
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in agribusiness, livestock production or marketing, or agri-enterprise development especially in a rural or pastoral community.  Direct experience working in the private sector in development program is 
• Demonstrable experience in developing business financial models and evaluating common business analysis tools required.
• Working knowledge of Kenya’s economy and business environment, particularly in the context of rural development, Turkana and Samburu
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a wide range of partners; private sector, banks, government and civil society;
• Demonstrable quantitative skills, including familiarity with database management and analysis
• Proven skills in networking, assessing information needs and developing appropriate tools
• Proven skills in team work, holding community consultations and organizational development
• Excellent English language skills (written and verbal) for reporting, communication and representation
• Fluency or working knowledge in Turkana is an advantage

Success Factors

The successful candidate will combine exceptional technical and management skills and strong experience in program delivery and partnership building in market systems. The candidate will have a strong understanding of strengthening inclusive market opportunities in remote, underserved areas. The candidate will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs. The role will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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.

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 (including HIV/AIDS status), 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, whether 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. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to 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.

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