Nigeria: Economic & Market Development Advisor (218131-927)

This position is contingent upon funding and donor approval.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps works almost exclusively in fragile and conflict-affected environments. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. We currently implement over 30 integrated peacebuilding and economic development programs in some of the world’s toughest places, including Ethiopia, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

Contingent upon award, Mercy Corps anticipates starting a new integrated peacebuilding and economic development program in the Middle Belt states of Nigeria. Starting in August, this three-year program will incorporate strong economic development and natural resource management elements in order to address underlying drivers of conflict, build cooperation between conflicting communities, and build links between communities, private sector, and governmental processes.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Economic and Market Development (EMD) Advisor is responsible for leading and supervising the economic development components of the program, including ensuring that economic aspects of conflict are adequately assessed, designing and supervising implementation of community-led economic and natural resource projects, and supporting business-led efforts to raise awareness of the economic costs of conflict and advocates for stability-enhancing policy change. S/he provides technical leadership in the design and implementation of economic development activities using a market-led approach integrated with peacebuilding.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Implementation

Support communities through the design, planning, and implementation of economic and natural resource initiatives, including identifying relevant local technical expertise, helping to organize substantive clinics on economic issues for local leaders, and providing technical input into the development of community conflict prevention plans.With the Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning Advisor, facilitate business-led research and advocacy related to the economic costs of conflict and the promotion of a business enabling environment, including conducting a review of the literature on conflict and economic development in Nigeria; identifying, building, and managing relationships with relevant local business leaders and associations engaged in programmatic research and advocacy; providing technical input into the identification and analysis of studies exploring the economic cost of conflict; and facilitate business-led policy forums and advocacy activities.

Strategic Vision and Leadership:

Critical to this role is adherence to the principles of a pro-poor market development framework and Mercy Corps Vision for Change and Strategic Framework. In particular the EMD Advisor will:

Provide technical leadership, guidance and development of good practice to interventions related to integrated economic development. Participate in development of relevant theories of change in the cross sector of economic development and peacebuilding in Nigeria.Identify, document, and communicate the ideas, trends, and emerging capacities in Nigeria that fall in the intersection of integrated economic development and peacebuilding and the interests of partners in this space.

Representation & Partnership Development:

Collaboratively identify and nurture strategic partnerships with appropriate private sector actors, as agreed upon. Participate in relevant fora in Nigeria related to the economic development/ peacebuilding space.Identify and nurture strategic partnerships with peer agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, foundations and the private sector; track strategies and programs of relevant economic development programs in Nigeria, particularly those with an integrated focus on peacebuilding.

Training/ Mentoring:

Provide technical assistance and mentoring of field-based program teams on best practice principles, disciplines, and methodologies related to economic and market development.Assist with development of training materials and deliver training to teams during field visits.

Organizational Learning

As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

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: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager – Integrated Peacebuilding and Economic Development

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Mercy Corps Nigeria operations, finance, DM&E and program departments in Abuja; relevant Mercy Corps headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps’ Conflict Management Group and Economic and Market Development team, and various administrative/financial units.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, business, or international development.Formal training and/or experience in a Markets for the Poor or market–led development is preferred3-5 years’ experience managing development economic programs in a development setting is required.Experience in highly volatile security situations and a commitment to team safety.Commitment to the principles of participatory team management and participatory, community-oriented development.Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational skills.Fluency in written and spoken English required.Experience in economic development and/or enterprise development requiredExperience interacting with the private sectorFamiliarity with the Nigerian context is a plusExperience working in integrated economic development and peacebuiding interventions highly preferred.Experience working with pastoralists and on youth programs is valuedDemonstrated ability to work respectfully and constructively with local partners.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Economic and Market Development Advisor will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:This position will likely be based in Abuja with up to 50% travel, primarily to locations within the Middle Belt states, where security is at times high-risk. Security in Abuja is generally good, although there are times when security is an issue. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport.

Abuja is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner and/or dependents.

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 Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE