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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)
Mercy Corps has been present in Zimbabwe since 2002, leading innovative programming focusing on evidence-based solutions that have lasting impact and build resilience. Resilience building is an agency priority and involves using a systems-based approach that builds on proven solutions, accesses new ideas and information, and integrates multiple sectors and partnerships to strengthen food and water security, economic opportunities, and climate change adaptation. Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent environmental and economic shocks that affect the wellbeing of its communities and undermine development investments. Mercy Corps puts resilience at the core of its strategy to contribute to the wellbeing of Zimbabweans by building communitiesโ capacities and strengthening systems and institutions. MC Zimbabwe therefore seeks to support communities in Zimbabwe to move towards sustainable development through building resilience and strong inclusive systems in the face of climatic and economic shocks and stresses.
The Position (General Position Summary)
Mercy Corps is anticipating the Urban Resilience, Inclusion, and Socioeconomic Empowerment (U-RISE) project. The overall goal is to enhance the resilience and well-being of poor and vulnerable urban communities. It aims to achieve this by improving vulnerable communitiesโ business and technical skills, inclusive market and private sector linkages, and financial inclusion approaches (Outcome 1). This is complemented by enabling environmental work at national and city level to create an enabling policy environment (Outcome 2). To spread learning, the project will disseminate best practices, coordinate with other resilience projects, and collaborate with national and global SDC projects.
The Economic Opportunities and Area Manager is responsible for technical management of all Outcome 1 activities. They will work with the Team Lead, Outcome 2 Lead, and Outcome 3/MERL Lead, and with Technical Support from Consortium Partners to design the overall economic engagement strategy, adapt programming, capture lessons learned, and ensure interventions achieve maximum impact while remaining on schedule and budget. The Economic Opportunities and Area Manager will also provide day-to-day supervision of all project activities in the Mutare Area.
Essential Responsibilities
Technical Leadership and Project Implementation
- Work with the Team Lead to set and drive a strategic plan for strengthening economic opportunities using market-led approaches in the projectโs target sectors and value chains.
- Provide technical leadership to advance the integration of resilience-thinking and action into the program at the area level
- Contribute to developing and continually updating the theory of change/results chains; facilitate development of sector-specific technical approaches and cross-cutting themes into Outcome 1 design; and help inform monitoring frameworks.
- Provide leadership and strategic vision to staff in Manicaland and Bulawayo Metropolitan provinces while overseeing all Outcome 1/ economic activities ensuring that staff are following work plans, activities are on schedule to the highest standard, and that project deliverables are completed as planned.
- Lead the development of detailed implementation plans and manage implementation of economic development activities providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration with national staff.
- Play a leadership role for private sector engagement, working collaboratively with the PMU tp establish clear partnership frameworks with private sector partners.
- Monitor implementation, including with private sector partners.
- Ensure staff are trained in system thinking, Market systems development, entrepreneurship, and business skills, enabling them to coach/advice program participants and partners.
- Advise on technical aspects of private sector engagement and market system development.
- Provide or coordinate technical support to project team on entrepreneurship, skills training, access to financial services, and improved business enabling environment.
- Work closely with Outcome 2 and Outcome 3/ MERL Leads to coordinate activities.
- Work closely with partners on coordinating activities and harmonizing technical strategies and tactics.
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
- Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
- Provide managerial and programmatic technical oversight to partners and sub-grantee(s).
Area Management
- Work with project team to translate the overall technical strategy and workplan for Outcome 1 to meet the context of the Mutare Area.
- Oversee project start-up and ongoing project management of all team members based in Mutare.
- Provide day-to-day oversight of all project team members based in Mutare Area, ensuring day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated fashion according to schedule, budget and quality.
- Conduct frequent visits to all project sites to monitor quality implementation and identify opportunities for innovation.
- Develop the capacity of the team, lead team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Oversee program partnerships to ensure sound coordination in the context of an overall program strategic and resilience-building framework.
- Manage and help with the recruitment, orientation, professional development and ongoing training of staff to ensure they are of the quality and technical capacity necessary to ensure the successful implementation of activities.
- Ensure appropriate attention s given to program learning and integration of lessons learned at the area level.
Influence & Representation
- Lead the socialization of the program with Manicaland Area stakeholders and existing resilience initiatives, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required.
- Represent U RISE at relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director and Team Lead.
- Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
- Establish and maintain relationships with local government and communities
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
โ Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
โ Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
โ Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Supervisory Responsibility
Mutare Area implementation team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Team Lead
Works Directly With: Consortium Technical Support, Outcome 2 Lead, Outcome 3/ MEAL Lead
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
โ Bachelors or Masters in Business, Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, or related field.
โ 5-7 years of experience in Zimbabwe on system thinking, Market System Development, Livelihood development or Entrepreneurship in development programming or with the private sector.
โ Experience working with and successfully engaging Private Sector companies within project activities is required.
โ Demonstrated project management skills.
โ 5 + years of experience managing diverse teams.
โ Experience designing and supporting impactful capacity strengthening on technical approaches.
โ Excellent oral and written English skills. Must speak Shona or Ndebele.
Success Factors
A successful Economic Opportunities and Area Manager is a systems thinker and leader who puts people at the center of partnering with market actors to create solutions to development challenges. They will combine excellent management and soft skills, relevant programmatic background, and experience in building and maintaining local stakeholder and partner relationships. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Mutare and requires frequent travel within the city and to surrounding areas. The position will also provide technical leadership to staff in Bulawayo. This will require regular travel to Bulawayo to monitor activities and train staff.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Team Efficiency and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).
- Lead the socialization of the program with Manicaland Area stakeholders and existing resilience initiatives, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required.
- Oversee program partnerships to ensure sound coordination in the context of an overall program strategic and resilience-building framework.
- Conduct frequent visits to all project sites to monitor quality implementation and identify opportunities for innovation.
- Provide day-to-day oversight of all project team members based in Mutare Area, ensuring day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated fashion according to schedule, budget and quality.