Project Coordinator, Energizing Humanitarian Futures Technical Assistance Programme, Ethiopia

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.

In conflict-affected, displaced, and disaster-stricken areas, access to reliable and affordable energy is often a critical challenge. The Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (hosted by UNOPS) and Mercy Corps are implementing the Energising Humanitarian Futures project to address this gap by focusing on clean energy as a key enabler to improve the lives of vulnerable populations, leading to enhanced food security/livelihoods, protection, WASH, shelter/settlements and coordination outcomes.

Expected outcomes include the development of coordinated, localised energy plans and project pipeline development, mobilising financial and technical resources, learning from new delivery models and increased knowledge exchange around successful clean energy models in these contexts.

Reporting to the Energizing Humanitarian Futures (EHF) Project Lead, in close collaboration with the EHF Project Coordinator and Uganda Lead, and in coordination with the Global Platform for Action (GPA) Secretariat team management, the EHF Ethiopia Coordinator will lead the Ethiopia-specific in-country activities for the EHF programme, including:

• Engage with key stakeholders across the humanitarian and energy spaces, highlighting entry points and bridging opportunities. Represent EHF at events, working groups, conferences and stakeholder meetings, providing direct support and advisory to key government ministries.
• Identify project opportunities and design and deliver energy programmes in collaboration with the wider stakeholder ecosystem (UN, INGOs, donors, financers, local and refugee led organisations, private sector companies and financial institutions, etc).
• Coordinate working groups or stakeholder networks at national and sub-national level (on a needs basis).
• Contribute to the design and lead the delivery of tailored public-private partnership development workshops to co-create sustainable, market-driven energy solutions, primarily focused on refugee hosting districts.
• Conduct technical assessments and scoping missions for development of new market-based energy access projects and programmes.
• Provide technical support on the design and implementation of these projects, including refining business models, risk mitigation, financing strategies, collaboration with stakeholders and alignment with donors, government, and investor requirements.
• Lead the delivery of donor-facing briefing notes based on the identified and supported projects, and advocate for their implementation.
• Generate and disseminate knowledge based on EHF programme outputs as well as wider MC and GPA evidence generation.

The primary goal is to collaboratively identify and develop opportunities for market-based energy programmes and projects in refugee hosting districts, promoting engagement of private sector actors.

Supporting the EHF Project Lead and Project Coordinator, the EHF Ethiopia Coordinator will coordinate closely with the GPA Secretariat hosted at UNOPS, which is recognized as the humanitarian energy convening body to advance SDG 7 – access to sustainable energy for all – in forced displacement contexts, along with GPA Steering Group members to provide ecosystem support and identify project opportunities. Under this close collaboration, the EHF Ethiopia Coordinator will ensure that all data-driven research and consequent advocacy are aligned to strengthen and maximize impact.

• Organizes workshops, scoping missions, and stakeholder consultations.
• Supports PPP incubation and project pipeline development in Ethiopia.
• Leads data collection and inputs.
• Manages relationships with government, private sector, INGOs and local NGOs, and leads in-country coordination, including sectoral networks.
• Ensures inclusion of refugee-led organizations and local actors.
• Leads on communications and MEL activities.

None or TBD

Reports Directly To: Megan Taeuber, EHF Project Lead

Works Directly With: Enter Energy Ethiopia PM, EHF team, Humanitarian Energy Plc team, MC Ethiopia team, TEQ Climate Solutions team, Global Platform for Action (GPA) Secretariat (hosted at UNOPS), GPA Steering Group members, THEA partners, Government of Ethiopia partners

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

• Proven expertise in advocacy vis-à-vis Government of Ethiopia, UN and INGOs is required.
• Previous experience working with UN and/or INGOs in energy or humanitarian teams is highly recommended.
• Previous experience of working in Ethiopia’s refugee and/or IDP response.
• 6+ years required providing technical support in sustainable energy access and/or climate resilience that includes:
• Grant writing, research, and proposal development.
• Technical advisory and advocacy.
• Stakeholder engagement, including working with local communities.
• Business development.
• Writing and publishing articles and blogs.
• Combining strong theoretical and applied knowledge of the field of expertise.
• Familiarity with integrated approaches and applying systems thinking.
• MEL, evidence generation and knowledge dissemination.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. M.A. or equivalent in a field related to humanitarian response, energy access, sustainable development, climate resilience, market systems development and/or energy or environmental engineering is advantageous.
• Familiarity with major donors such as USAID, FCDO, ECHO, and relevant foundations and corporations.
• Fluency in English is required; fluency in another language preferred.

At Mercy Corps, we value team members who embrace curiosity, act with integrity, and foster an environment of inclusion and collaboration. Our successful team members work effectively in evolving and dynamic environments, prioritize clear communication, and build collaborative relationships across departments. They interact with all global team members with an inclusive approach and excel at multitasking, meeting deadlines, and processing information to support our changing program activities.

The position is based in Ethiopia and it requires up to 20% travel to support program activities, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

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

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.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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]).