EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada (MEDA) invites applications for the senior post of Field Project Manager (FPM) for a large scale, long term women’s economic development project in (“the Project”) in Ethiopia. This project is approved for funding but the position will only be available once MEDA signs the contract with the donor. To learn more about MEDA and our work, please visit www.meda.org.
Field Project Manager, Ethiopia (2 year contract, renewable up to 6 years)
Leading a team of field staff and HQ specialists, the FPM ensures effective implementation of project strategies, adjusting course as needed based on interim performance, to achieve life-of-project performance targets. Responsibilities include: project implementation partnerships; field staff recruitment, management; performance contracting of service providers; project financial management and general administration; project performance tracking M&E/MIS systems; security; acting as MEDA’s representative in Ethiopia; relationship management with the Government of Ethiopia, donor agencies, the business community and other stakeholders;. The FPM also assists MEDA to cultivate new business development opportunities in-country and regionally. The duty station for this position is likely to be in, or in the vicinity of Addis and involves frequent travel to project locations in Amhara region. The FPM will report to and work closely with MEDA’s North America-based Senior Project Manager tasked to supervise this Project.
Qualifications
- A minimum of ten years’ experience leading and managing complex, large scale economic development initiatives.
- University degree (ideally Master’s) in business, international development, economic development or related field.
- Strong understanding of and proven experience in women’s economic empowerment programming in a development context.
- Strong understanding of competitive market environments; inclusive subsector development and value chain development facilitation methods.
- Strong understanding of marketing, business planning, business growth advisory service or related areas.
- Demonstrated ability to mobilize stakeholders into partnerships and alliances, lead and facilitate collaborative processes.
- Agriculture sector experience is desirable.
- Fluency in English is required.
- Prior work experience in Ethiopia and/or East Africa region is desirable.
- Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values, mission and purpose.
Please send your resume by no later than November 16, 2015 to: jobs@meda.org
Project Quick Facts
- Budget $18.6 million over 5 years
- Sectors: horticulture, rice, gemstones with a focus on women’s economic empowerment
- Geographic Scope: Amhara region
The project will build on MEDA’s experience in market systems development in Ethiopia to support 16,000 women and men entrepreneurs and 245 micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Amhara region to generate sustainable incomes and employment. Focusing on rice, vegetables and gemstones, the project will employ various strategies to maximize the growth and profit potential of producers and MSMEs in these sectors with the goal of supporting women in Amhara region to contribute to Ethiopia’s economic growth. Common activities across sectors will include:
- strengthening knowledge and skills of producers and business owners, particularly women, to understand business and market opportunities and overcome gender-related barriers;
- facilitating access to innovative technologies including new techniques, inputs and equipment to help producers and business owners increase productivity, develop new products and reach new markets;
- working with financial institutions to support producers, input suppliers and technology manufacturers to access finance to support increased productivity and business growth; and
- contributing to a supportive gender-sensitive business and policy environment to facilitate growth.