Regional Technical Advisor for Economic Opportunities

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Position Title: Regional Technical Advisor for Economic Opportunities
Location: Bogota
Country: Colombia
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global non-profit organization founded with the mission to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, employing more than 5,000 staff members. The organization focuses on various sectors, including economic development, health, education, and disaster response, with a commitment to fostering sustainable growth and resilience in communities. In the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, Mercy Corps addresses critical issues such as climate change, human displacement, and the inclusion of marginalized groups, including LGBTQI+ individuals, through collaborative efforts with local leaders and stakeholders.

Job Overview:
The Regional Technical Advisor for Economic Opportunities will play a crucial role in enhancing Mercy Corps LAC's capacity to design, implement, and evaluate impactful economic recovery and market systems development programs. This position involves a multifaceted approach, including program design, partnership development, representation at key sector events, and ensuring program quality. The advisor will leverage their expertise in economic programming while fostering collaboration across various technical areas. They will be responsible for staying updated on industry innovations and best practices, writing competitive proposals, delivering training, and disseminating information to both internal and external partners. The role requires a strong focus on integrating economic opportunities with broader agency goals, ensuring that programs are relevant and effective in addressing the needs of the communities served.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Regional Technical Advisor include:

• Program and Proposal Development: - Write and review proposals and concept notes for funding from various donors. - Collaborate with country program teams to conduct market assessments and analyze data to identify program needs. - Work with regional leadership to pursue multi-country and regional programs that align with the Economic Opportunities outcomes. - Stay informed about relevant strategies from governmental and non-profit organizations.
• Program Quality: - Provide technical support to a portfolio of programs across different contexts. - Support interventions in economic recovery, financial inclusion, and youth employment. - Maintain program delivery standards that comply with agency priorities and regulations. - Develop training materials and best practices for program staff.
• Learning and Impact: - Collaborate with MEL staff to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of economic opportunity-driven activities. - Contribute to the LAC region’s Evidence and Learning Agenda. - Conduct assessments and develop dissemination plans for learning products.
• Influence and Representation: - Represent Mercy Corps at various events and contribute to thought leadership. - Build strategic partnerships with local organizations focused on economic recovery. - Maintain a network of technical experts for program support.
• Safeguarding Responsibilities: - Integrate safeguarding practices into all aspects of work and encourage open communication within the team.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Regional Technical Advisor position include: - A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field is preferred. - A minimum of 4 years of experience in international development or relevant private sector work, with at least 3 years in a program management or technical advisor role. - At least 2-3 years of experience in technical areas related to Economic Opportunities, such as Financial Inclusion and Youth Employment. - Proven experience in program design, partnership building, and technical advising. - Strong writing and presentation skills are essential. - Experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean is required, with a preference for those with experience in fragile contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum requirement, while a Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field is preferred. The educational background should ideally align with international development, economics, social sciences, or related disciplines that equip the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in international development work or relevant private sector experience. Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in a program management or technical advisor role, with a focus on proposal design and implementation. Additionally, 2-3 years of experience in technical work related to Economic Opportunities is essential, including experience with program design, private sector partnership building, and technical advising in the context of economic recovery and development.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written Spanish and English is required for this position. Proficiency in French is considered a plus, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in the LAC region, with an expectation of up to 40% travel within the region. Mercy Corps promotes ongoing learning, allowing team members to dedicate 5% of their time to personal and professional development activities. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively seeking to build a team that reflects diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and adheres to strict safeguarding and ethical standards to ensure a respectful and safe work environment.