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 collaborate to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Program / Department Summary

The Human Resource Advisor – HRA Program Startup is a member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT) within the Human Resource Unit, and they will work with the Mercy Corps Ethiopia team for the start-up of the USAID/Ethiopia Highlands Resilience Activity (HRA), a five-year, $60 million Complex Program starting in October 2023. The HR team supports and enables the delivery of high-quality human resource management processes and practices by establishing and maintaining effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Ethiopia, regional and global teams based in Ethiopia. This includes but is not limited to lead the support on: talent acquisition & development; employee engagement coordination; country wide training & learning management; compensation & benefits administration; country wide performance management oversight; disciplinary & grievance handling; staff data management; staff disengagement management and third-party service provision management.

The Human Resource Advisor – Complex Program Startup will also work closely with the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) within the Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) Unit. The PaQ team supports and enables the delivery of high-quality programs by establishing and maintaining standards, championing an evidence-based practice to improve program performance, supporting strategic program change management, and facilitating the complex program process. The SLT provides strategic leadership when our countries need it most: from internal crises to global humanitarian emergencies. Mercy Corps defines Complex Programs as programs that meet a high-value threshold and that are high-risk and high-potential. These programs are prioritized for increased support and oversight, with a special focus on bringing the right investments to start-up to set program teams up for implementation success.

General Position Summary

The HR Advisor is responsible for ensuring comprehensive Human Resources support for the HR team and complex program start up. The HR Advisor ensures compliance with donor regulations, legal requirements and Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures. The HR Advisor provides support and advises the Country Director on HR issues. The HR Advisor works closely with all team members including Senior Management Team (SMT) and Program Managers to bring efficiency in HR procedures.

Essential Responsibilities

• Collaborate with program managers to understand the staffing requirements and develop recruitment strategies tailored to each program’s unique needs.
• Develop and implement recruitment plans, including job postings, sourcing strategies, and candidate outreach.
• Conduct thorough candidate screenings, assessments, and interviews to identify the most qualified candidates for the program.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews with program managers, hiring teams, and candidates, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
• Manage candidate relationships, providing timely updates, feedback, and maintaining a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process.
• Utilize various recruitment platforms, job boards, and social media channels to attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates.
• Collaborate with the human resources team to ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and legal requirements throughout the recruitment process.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of recruitment metrics, reports, and analytics to measure the effectiveness of recruitment strategies and identify areas for improvement.
• Support the onboarding process for selected candidates, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition.
• Collaborate with the Country HR Team to ensure about the HR best practices, and emerging technologies in recruitment to continuously enhance recruitment strategies and processes.
• In partnership with the Global people team, ensure that orientation is conducted for each newly hired national and expatriate team members consistent with global guidance including MC Essentials, Code of Conduct and Security.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country HR Director

Works Directly With: The position will also work closely with the Complex Program Start-Up Lead, or Complex Program Chief of Party, Senior Operations Manager, Finance Director, Safety and Security Manager, Country Director, Program Managers, and HQ People Team colleagues

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

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in relevant field, masters preferred.
• 5 – 6 years of professional HR experience, including at least 5 years in the Humanitarian NGO sector.
• Experience managing or advising a multi-national HR function.
• Understanding and experience navigating multiple regulatory sources (labor laws, donor requirements, etc.) and developing HR policies and procedures that ensure compliance with each.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns and appropriate responses with experience in insecure environments.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
• Knowledge of donor regulations including USAID, GAC, DFID regulations is considered an advantage.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills.
• Effective verbal and written English communication skills, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications; proficiency in other languages is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors

Critical problem-solving skills and the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. Maintaining strong cooperating relationships with other departments is crucial. A successful candidate will have the ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity and demonstrate the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites. The successful candidate will have a desire to grow and learn. S/he will face challenges with a smile and lightheartedness. The successful candidate will be comfortable in asking colleagues for help as well as stepping out of her/his role to assist others. The Mercy Corps team is one that emphasizes the value of joy and curiosity. The team enjoys a great sense of humor and appreciates sharing meals amongst colleagues.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position is unaccompanied. There is good freedom of movement beyond the house/office, and mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is also widely available including in all Mercy Corps’ offices. This position may require travel by road and air to field sites (often in insecure environments) where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. Medical facilities are basic with international clinics able to provide emergency services.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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.