MSD Intern | Dire Dawa/Babile/Chiro

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 in 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 United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (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. 

Position Title: MSD Intern

Duty Station: Dire Dawa/Babile/Chiro

Open Position:  2

Duration of Internship: 6 months

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 

Mercy Corps is implementing a five-year, Feed the Future USAID-funded Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA North) aimed to improve the resilience capacities of households, markets, and governance institutions across the Somali, Afar, and Oromia regions, collectively contributing to enhanced food security and inclusive economic growth for the targeted community.  RIPA, implemented by Mercy Corps, CARE, local partners, and government has four development-focused intervention areas aimed at building resilience.

RIPA includes a Crisis Modifier component that allows us to pivot our approach and respond to humanitarian needs in ways that support, not undermine long-term development and resilience objectives. In relation to this, Mercy Corps is planning to implement a $10 million Crisis Modifier in response to the drought and Global Food Crisis impacting Ethiopia.

RIPA program seeks enthusiastic, intelligent, and ambitious graduates who are passionate about Market System Development.  This position will provide the intern an opportunity to develop their professional skills and expand their knowledge of market-based and community-driven development while supporting the RIPA program.  This internship will also support the RIA program and the country office’s efforts.

The intern will be provided with technical guidance in RIPA Component 2 and coaching. At the beginning of the internship period, the intern will receive orientation on Mercy Corps’ mission, vision, strategy, and programming.  S/he will work with the MSD officer mentor on professional skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals; s/he will also work with the MSD Specialist on technical skills development goals, and activities and responsibilities related to achieving these goals. 

At the end of the internship period, the combined professional and technical skills development plan will be the milestones against which the internship will be evaluated and will be the basis of a strong recommendation letter for future employment.  The intern will also be interviewed to assess the degree to which the internship period helped her to achieve her professional goals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

By the end of the internship, the intern will have developed the following knowledge and experience:

• Developing oral and written communication skills.
• Developing self-reliance and self-confidence skills
• Develop work culture and how to interact with team and work with in team
• Improving skills for understanding and working with people with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Improving skills on working effectively within diverse environments.
• Enhancing knowledge and understanding on MSD focused activities implementation.
• MSD approach and engaging private sector in to project implementation
• The intern will have a chance to build their capacity through on job training, professional development, join Market system development community opportunity and networking in their work place.
• Professional development sessions, with clear performance review, coaching and mentoring components throughout the internship program.
• Data gathering and presentation in to different formats.

DELIVERABLES:

• The Intern will be equipped to monitor, follow up on, and provide technical support to field agents and VSLAs in the operational woreda with the help of their immediate supervisor.
• The intern will be able to understand and distribute periodic report forms, as well as collect and submit reports on time to the supervisor and follow up activities.

• Conduct project/Component mini assessment with the support of MSD Coordinator, MSD Officer and Financial Inclusion Specialist.
• The Intern will be able to gather needs for solar energy products to facilitate market linkage with the help of the MC DD field office and agents.
• Frequently travel to field by following the assigned activities by MSD Coordinator (TVET, BDS, Cottage industry, BRUH, Last mile, and VSLA)
• IPTS Data entry in to  commcare and dream save programs and  digitalize data.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS:

1. BA/MA in Economics, Business, Argo-Economics, management and other related field of study.
2. One letter of recommendation from a university / higher institution on the candidate’s personal integrity and sense of responsibility.
3. Graduated from University in the past three years
4. Zero years of work experience required.
5. Good interpersonal communication skills
6. Organizational skills and attention to detail
7. Ability to work in a team environment.
8. Excellent knowledge of spoken & written Local Language/Oromifa/ and English

LIVING CONDITIONS: The internship should be based in the intern’s home location.

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside work hours and are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Understand and aware GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)
• Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with a team member, partners and program participants.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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 toward 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.

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

NOTE: All interns must be active at a university or recently graduated (within about 1 year).

Only candidates that are shortlisted 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: 27 November 2023/ 4:00 PM