Alternative Livelihoods Advisor Job in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Position Title: Alternative Livelihoods Advisor

Primary Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Position Status: Full time

Current Employee:N/A

This position is based on award of funding.

Program/Department Summary:

The Alternative Livelihoods Advisor will play a key leadership role in the implementation of a proposed five-year $32 million + program to support increased resiliency and incomes for pastoralist communities in Ethiopia.

General Position Summary: 

The Alternative Livelihoods Advisor will lead components of the program focusing on diversifying vulnerable and chronically populations’ household assets and/or integrated into value chain activities.

The individual will work closely with the Deputy Chief of Party/ Pastoral Livestock Production and Marketing Advisor, counterparts with other donor funded programs, and other private sector actors in designing and implementing innovative livelihood diversification approaches.

Organizational Learning 

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Direct supervision of: Alternative Livelihoods program team

Reports Directly To: Deputy Chief of Party

Works Directly With: NRM/Climate Change Advisor, Knowledge and Learning Officer, Operations and Finance team.

Knowledge and Experience: 
  • MA/S in Business, finance, livestock, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or related field
  • 5+ years’ work experience with for profit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO) or profit agribusiness working with vulnerable, marginalized and pastoralists/agro-pastoralist groups.
  • 5+ years’ proven experience in innovative value chain development or business models using best practices.
  • Experience in dry lands and/or value chain development is desirable
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing.
  • Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
  • Previous experience in Ethiopia or the Horn of Africa is strongly preferred.
Success Factors:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, M&E skills and experience. 

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:

This position will be based in Addis Ababa and is accompanied for spouse and children.

Addis Ababa is the political and commercial heart of Ethiopia. Founded by Emperor Menelik in 1877, it is now a sprawling, hospitable city of 4 million people located at an elevation of 2,200 meters in the foothills of Mount Entoto. 

Modern buildings and wide-open boulevards stand side by side with historic churches, palaces and monuments as well as simple country-style huts. Addis Ababa has basic health services and adequate international schools, K-12. 

There are ample opportunities for in-country vacations. The weather is temperate year-round with a heavy rainy season in the summer months. Addis Ababa hosts many international organizations including the OAU, the Economic Commission for Africa and other multi-national bodies, many of which have their headquarters there.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

apply online through our job board:http://www.mercycorps.org/jobs.