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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
The Program / Department / Team
PRO-WASH & SCALE is a capacity strengthening and learning award funded by the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and managed by the United States Department of State. It is implemented by Save the Children and Mercy Corps, with Mercy Corpsโ subaward ending December 2026. The purpose of PRO-WASH & SCALE (PWS) is to strengthen the design, implementation, and overall effectiveness of WASH, agriculture, livelihoods, markets, and natural and water resource management activities within food security and nutrition programs, with a focus on emergency contexts. Mercy Corps leads activities related to agriculture, livelihoods, natural resource management and markets through the Agriculture Systems team of the Technical Support, Evidence and Program Quality (TEQ) Unit.
The Position
The Market-Based Programming Advisor will lead PWSโ markets-related work, supporting partners to apply market-based programming (MBP) approaches across technical intervention areas with a focus on fragile and emergency contexts. The Advisor will work across multiple agencies and countries, in line with DoS priorities. Key responsibilities include organizing and leading remote and in-person training and learning events; documenting and sharing MBP best practices; developing and adapting tools and guidance in response to partner needs; contributing to communities of practice; and liaising with relevant technical networks, private sector actors, and government entities, as applicable. As PWS enters its final year, the Advisor will also support culmination learning events, ensuring that the resources and lessons generated throughout the award are effectively disseminated and contribute to the programโs sustainability strategy.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
โ Update and adapt PWSโ MBP capacity strengthening and engagement strategy to ensure alignment with implementersโ evolving needs and U.S. Department of State (DoS) priorities.
โ Provide technical support and guidance to partners on applying MBP approaches within agriculture (including seed systems), WASH, and livelihoods interventions, particularly within emergency contexts.
โ Lead and facilitate remote and in-person training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events to strengthen partner capacity in MBP design and implementation.
โ Identify, document, and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, and innovations related to MBP and private sector engagement within USG-funded emergency programs.
โ Revise and tailor tools and guidance materials based on partner feedback, ensuring they are practical, context-appropriate, and applicable in emergency environments.
โ Engage actively in markets-focused learning groups and communities of practiceโsuch as the Markets in Crises (MiC) Community of Practice, the Global WASH Cluster, the Global Clusterโs Cash and Markets Working Group, ISSD Africaโto curate and share tools and evidence, and foster learning (such as co-hosting webinar, contributing to joint learning agendas, etc.).
โ Advise partners on conducting rapid market assessments, piloting tools, analyzing market market data, and applying findings to strengthen emergency program design and delivery.
โ Identify and highlight promising private sector innovations, services and technologies that can enhance USG-funded humanitarian response.
โ Support culmination learning events, ensuring that the resources and lessons generated throughout the award are effectively disseminated.
MONITORING, EVALUATION & IMPACT MEASUREMENT
โ Support the maintenance and improvement of M&E systems to ensure data from PWSโ markets-related activities is accurately captured, organized, and accessible.
โ Implement activities to assess and document the impact of PWSโ capacity strengthening, knowledge-sharing, and learning interventions.
โ Contribute to regular reflection and learning discussions to analyze data findings, draw insights, and identify implications for program strategies and approaches.
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
โ Contribute to the maintenance of systems that ensure effective, transparent use of financial resources and enable timely, accurate reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies.
โ Ensure compliance with all DoS and Mercy Corps financial and operational regulations.
โ Draft and review SoWs to engage technical consultants for markets-related activities, as needed.
โ Drafts relevant sections of quarterly and annual reports to DoS
REPRESENTATION, THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
โ Represent PWS and Mercy Corps with key stakeholders (including DoS) across practitioner networks, learning forums, conferences, and online platforms through presentations, papers, and other knowledge products.
โ Foster strong internal relationships to leverage Mercy Corpsโ and PWSโ MBP expertise, resources, and collaboration opportunities.
Supervisory Responsibility
Relevant technical consultants (tbd, as the need arises)
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Technical Director, PRO-WASH & SCALE and ISSD Africa
Works Directly With: All PRO-WASH & SCALE team members; other Mercy Corps TEQ staff, particularly ISSD Africa, Food Security & Nutrition and Economic Growth teams; relevant country teams
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
โ 5+ years experience in applying market-based programming approaches in fragile and emergency contexts
โ Strong familiarity with emergency food security programs and networks (e.g. the Cluster system)
โ Experience in designing and implementing market-based programs in emergency contexts, including in hard to reach rural areas, with demonstrated experience designing/conducting/overseeing market systems assessments, marketing activities, and private sector development activities
โ Familiarity with agricultural markets required; knowledge of emergency WASH and nutrition a plus
โ Exceptional facilitation and training skills, with experience designing curricula, tools and other learning/training materials for adult audiences in multiple country contexts
โ Ability to work and collaborate effectively across multiple programs, partners and countries
โ Familiarity with WASH business models, product design, microfinance and/or financial product development strongly preferred
โ Previous experience with USG- funded food security programs preferred
โ Fluency in spoken and written English (required) and French (preferred)
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is open to any country in which Mercy Corps is operating, with a preference for African countries. It requires up to 20% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.
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
Team Engagement and Effectiveness
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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.
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.
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]).