Market System Development Team Lead

Youth Impact Labs East Africa; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 961 000 - 1 283 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global organization is seeking a Market System Development (MSD) Team Lead to oversee the implementation of programs aimed at improving livelihoods in Ethiopia. This role focuses on managing a multicultural team, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, and collaborating with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Business and at least 5 years of experience in market systems development. Strong communication, leadership, and analytical skills are essential for success in this critical position.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of work experience in MSD programs.
• Managerial and supervisory experience is preferred.
• Willingness to travel to project sites, including insecure environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage overall implementation of LIWAY’s priority sectors.
• Develop capacity of the team and clarify roles.
• Ensure compliance with policies and timely reporting.

Skills

Intercultural communication

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Education

BA degree in Business or related fields

Job description

Overview

Position Title: Market System Development (MSD) Team Lead

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. 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. The strategy focuses on 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. Mercy Corps operates in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Mercy Corps Ethiopia partners with donors including USAID, EU, GAC, Hilton Foundation, UN, JOA, Sweden, EKN, and others to empower people to recover from crisis and transform their communities for good.

About LIWAY LIWAY (Livelihoods Improvement for Women And Youth) 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 and 192,750 (75%) are youth. LIWAY applies a Market Systems Development approach involving four market systems (Labour, Micro and Small Enterprises - MSE, Medium and Large Enterprises - MLE, and Skills) that are interconnected and aim to drive structural transformation. The programme is implemented by a consortium of Mercy Corps and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. LIWAY II plans to create additional employment opportunities and income for 143,000 women and youth in regional cities and Addis Ababa, extending to 400,000 people when including the extension period.

General Position Summary The Team Lead is responsible for overall management and implementation of LIWAY’s priority sectors, ensuring harmonization with the broader LIWAY program and Mercy Corps Ethiopia strategy. The Team Lead will guide technical strategies, program planning and implementation using the Market Systems Development approach, monitor progress, address challenges, and advise on adaptive management and risk mitigation. The Team Lead reports to the Deputy Program Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision (10%)

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
• Lead regular sector and program strategy review processes in collaboration with senior management of the consortium partners and with internal/external technical consultants.

Program Management (30%)

• Establish the work plan, activities, targets, budget, standards for measuring progress and results and determine the processes, tools, and methodologies to be used to ensure effective and efficient program implementation and operations.
• Oversee partnership formation and co-creation processes for each pipeline intervention including MOUs & contracts and ongoing program management and administration of the team.
• Ensure gender integration and mainstreaming are incorporated into mission-level strategic and annual planning efforts.
• Monitor progress and identify risks for timely action and early resolution.
• Ensure full compliance with Mercy Corps rules and regulations and policies on financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations.
• Ensure timely donor and government reporting and any other additional reporting.
• Responsible for financial management of the program and financial reporting.
• Actively support knowledge building, sharing, and applying in the program.
• Engage with a wide range of public and private actors (businesses, financial service providers, labor associations, training institutions, city offices) to establish partnerships and manage relationships.
• Plan own work, manage conflicting priorities and work under pressure of tight deadlines.
• Maintain very good interpersonal skills to establish and sustain partnerships and working relations.

Technical Leadership (20%)

• Develop and oversee implementation of the Technical Unit and partner capacity-building strategy that promotes learning from program data.
• Work with the MRM team to guide Intervention Leads on measuring results and system level indicators.
• Support capacity-building and gender integration with team members and partners.

Team management (40%)

• Develop the capacity of the team, clarify roles and support career development.
• Provide information, tools and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives.
• Lead a multicultural team in challenging environments with strong leadership.
• Identify program issues, risks, and recommend and implement corrective actions.
• Mentor and coach team members in their duties.

Organizational Learning

• Commit 5% of time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and the individual.

Supervisory Responsibility: Manage the LIWAY Intervention Leads.

Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Program Manager (Line Manager)

Works Directly With: LIWAY Program Manager, LIWAY core technical team, MC Regional Finance coordinator, MC HQ program officer/s, Mercy Corps senior leadership team members.

Minimum Qualification And Transferable Skills

• BA degree in Business, Business Administration, Economics, finance and development, agricultural economics, Business Management or related social science fields.
• At least 5 years of work experience, preferably in MSD programs, especially output and input services, urban/rural labor markets, business development services, technical skills training, value chains, inclusive financial services, product & strategy development.
• Managerial and supervisory experience and demonstrated partnership management skills are preferred.
• Previous work experience in the private sector, including financial sector, and international development organization is an advantage.
• Understanding of Market Systems Development Approach (MSD) is needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project sites and field locations, including insecure environments, is required.

Success Factors

Excellent intercultural, interpersonal and negotiation skills, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication, facilitation, partnerships, and networking skills with a wide range of actors. Business-minded, adaptive, curious, and results-oriented.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and requires close collaboration with SNV-based LIWAY team members, including periodic on-site presence at the SNV office as required.

Ongoing Learning

All team members dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that advance personal and professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Mercy Corps is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive team. We strive for a culture of trust and respect where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves.

We recognize diversity and inclusion as ongoing commitments and will continue to learn, listen and evolve to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination. We actively seek diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to have a sustained global impact. We provide a respectful environment and equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, gender identity, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to preventing exploitation and abuse. We do not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, or harassment. Team members must conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct. Completion of mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses is required on hire and annually.

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. Only short-listed candidates will be acknowledged and called for interviews. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. We encourage qualified female and young candidates to apply. Deadline for all applications: June 22, 2025, 4:00 PM.