Project Coordinator - Energizing Humanitarian Futures

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established to respond to disasters and hardships, Mercy Corps operates in more than 40 countries worldwide, partnering with local communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. The organization focuses on humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and energy access, particularly in conflict-affected and disaster-stricken areas.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator for the Energizing Humanitarian Futures (EHF) program will be responsible for leading Ethiopia-specific in-country activities. This role involves engaging with key stakeholders across the humanitarian and energy sectors, representing the EHF at various events, and identifying project opportunities to design and deliver energy programs. The coordinator will work closely with government ministries, UN agencies, and local organizations to develop sustainable energy solutions that enhance the lives of vulnerable populations. The position requires a collaborative approach to identify market-based energy programs and projects, ensuring alignment with the goals of the Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The EHF Ethiopia Coordinator will organize workshops, scoping missions, and stakeholder consultations to support public-private partnership incubation and project pipeline development in Ethiopia. They will manage relationships with government entities, private sector actors, INGOs, and local NGOs, ensuring the inclusion of refugee-led organizations. The coordinator will lead data collection efforts, oversee communications and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities, and advocate for the implementation of identified projects. They will also conduct technical assessments for new energy access projects and provide technical support on project design and implementation, including business model refinement and risk mitigation strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate proven expertise in advocacy, particularly with the Government of Ethiopia, UN agencies, and INGOs. Previous experience in energy or humanitarian teams is highly recommended, along with a background in Ethiopia’s refugee and IDP response. A minimum of 6 years of experience in sustainable energy access and climate resilience is required, including skills in grant writing, research, technical advisory, stakeholder engagement, and business development. Strong theoretical and applied knowledge in the field is essential, along with familiarity with major donors such as USAID and ECHO.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is preferred, with a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as humanitarian response, energy access, sustainable development, or environmental engineering being advantageous. Candidates should have a solid understanding of energy access issues and climate resilience, as well as experience in market systems development.

Experience:
The position requires at least 6 years of relevant experience, particularly in providing technical support for sustainable energy access and climate resilience initiatives. Candidates should have a track record of working with local communities and engaging with various stakeholders, including government and private sector entities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in another language is preferred. This is particularly important for engaging with diverse stakeholders and communities in Ethiopia.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Ethiopia and may require up to 20% travel to support program activities, including travel to areas with limited amenities and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security challenges. Mercy Corps emphasizes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, adhering to equal employment opportunity principles, and maintaining high standards of safeguarding and ethics.