Deputy Program Manager (Deputy Chief of Party), Durban

Position Title:

Deputy Program Manager/Deputy Chief of Party Duty Station:

Addis Ababa Open Position:

1

About 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.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector, and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas: 1) economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) people have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states– Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes USAID, EU, GAC, Hilton Foundation, UN, JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives, and transform their communities for good.

About Livelihoods Improvement For Women And Youth (LIWAY)

The Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY) is a nine-year programme (July 2017 to June 2026) funded by the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The program 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. LIWAY has the objective of increasing incomes of 257,000 poor people in Addis Ababa, of which at least 128,500 (50%) are women (young and adult) and 192,750 (75%) are youth (female and male). LIWAY uses a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach that identifies root causes of market failure that disadvantage or exclude poor women and youth from wage and self-employment opportunities and engages private companies and public institutions to deliver change. The program works in four interrelated market systems (Labour, Micro and Small Enterprises-MSE, Medium and Large Enterprises-MLE, and Skills) that were selected based on relevance, impact, and feasibility. The four systems are interconnected and together contribute to structural transformation. The programme runs through June 30, 2026 under Netherlands Embassy funding, with additional Sweden funding for a second phase (LIWAY II) anticipated to be secured in early 2025 for an extension period of four years ending December 2028, broadening and scaling impact in Addis Ababa and nearby secondary cities, including addressing climate change impacts and supporting internally displaced persons.

General Position Summary The Deputy Program Manager (DPM) is a key member of the Program Management Team within LIWAY, providing strategic leadership and guidance on overall implementation management. Working closely with the Program Manager, the DPM ensures the technical quality of program delivery using the MSD approach and develops and maintains effective strategic partnerships with new and existing LIWAY partners for successful delivery. In addition to overall LIWAY leadership, the DPM is responsible for internal Mercy Corps accountability.

Essential Job Responsibilities STRATEGY&VISION (20%)

Collaborate with the PM to provide overall leadership and technical guidance to the LIWAY Program.

Co‑lead the market diagnosis and design of the LIWAY II intervention areas to ensure alignment with the program goal and objectives.

Develop and sustain strategic partnership with key stakeholders including relevant government agencies, implementing partners, and program participants for effective and smooth delivery.

Design and implement MSD capacity strengthening and facilitation strategy, supporting teams to consistently and effectively apply MSD approaches and principles in program delivery. Provide ongoing mentorship to teams on the same.

Work with the PM and Monitoring and Results Measurement Advisor to provide effective leadership of the LIWAY program that aligns with donor budget, program approach, and anticipated results (target reach, system level change).

Advise Mercy Corps senior management and senior national government officials on direction, strategies and technical issues of the program and lead discussion on innovative solutions.

COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION (30%) External

Build strategic partnership with stakeholders and partners to advocate, promote and advance organizational issues, priorities, interests and competencies for a successful program.

Coordinate and collaborate with clients, partners, and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and promote common interests and achievement of results.

Internal

Provide direction and guidance to LIWAY program team(s)/responsible parties on market systems development approach, innovative labor market and related solutions, targeting women and youth job seekers.

Advise the Country Offices on new proposal development which have components: Labor Market, Skills Development Market, Micro, Small, Medium and Large Enterprise systems.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (30%)

Collaborate closely with the Program Manager to divide responsibilities and provide support on various programmatic decisions and initiatives.

Provide specific technical inputs and capacity building across interventions and program management life cycle.

Lead the development and implementation of concept notes ensuring intentional cross‑component integration and alignment with project goals and objectives.

Coordinate the design and routine update of detailed annual work plans and ensure these are used by the team to monitor progress toward completion and achievement of program objectives.

Provide technical expertise in market systems development and ensure designed interventions adhere to industry best practices and standards and that technical support is provided to implementation teams.

Provide strategic oversight of the complementarity of the various intervention areas to ensure synergy and greater impact.

Follow up on the timely completion of designed interventions within approved budgets.

Work with the Monitoring and Results Measurement Advisor to guide the team in regularly monitoring, measuring and reporting results; adapt interventions based on monitoring results, as required.

Ensure KPIs for program operations are met and work closely with other functions to achieve project milestones.

Manage events and relationships that include facilitating government, donor, and other high‑level official visits to project partners.

Manage the timely and quality delivery of donor and Government of Ethiopia reports.

Work with the PM to organize periodic Project Steering Committee meetings.

TEAM MANAGEMENT (10%)

Develop the capacity of the team particularly focusing on the MSD approach, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one‑on‑ones and performance reviews.

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

FINANCE&COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT (10%)

Ensure compliance with donors and Mercy Corps regulations related to the LIWAY Program.

Lead budget planning, monitoring, and reporting to ensure that project activities are executed within approved budgets as required by the PM.

Ensure proper project management by ensuring that all planned expenditures are on track in strict compliance with the agreed budget lines and donor financial regulations.

Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

INFLUENCE&REPRESENTATION

Act as the focal point for Mercy Corps Ethiopia in matters related to the implementation of the LIWAY Program.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

Adhere to gender minimum standards.

Ensure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management.

Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building processes.

Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Manage the Mercy Corps Team Lead for the LIWAY Program.

Accountability

Reports Directly To:

Market Systems Development Director

Works …