Project Manager – Jobtech for Refugees and Youth – Mercy Corps Ethiopia

The position will lead the recruitment and enrollment of refugee and displaced talent onto jobtech platforms, coordinate relationships among refugee job seekers, partner organizations and digital work platforms, and manage procurement, contracting and administrative processes. The role will also contribute to program learning, research and knowledge products.

The Project Manager will work closely with government and refugee-authority stakeholders, private-sector partners, implementing organizations, refugee-led organizations and Jobtech Alliance teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for program delivery in Ethiopia and achieve agreed targets.
• Identify, vet and develop partnerships with refugee-led organizations, CBOs and other potential partners.
• Lead recruitment and enrollment of refugee and displaced talent onto jobtech platforms.
• Identify, assess and engage jobtech platforms suitable for onboarding refugee and displaced talent.
• Manage day-to-day relationships with jobtech platforms operating in Ethiopia.
• Coordinate collaboration between platforms, partner organizations and refugee job seekers.
• Serve as the primary liaison with relevant government and refugee-authority stakeholders, including RRS, line ministries and local authorities.
• Coordinate procurement, contracting and administrative processes in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies.
• Track activities against workplans, scope, timelines and budgets and flag budget variances.
• Translate platform requirements into effective partner onboarding processes.
• Support hiring, onboarding and capacity-building of team members and implementing partners.
• Plan and facilitate Community of Practice engagements, including convenings, webinars and knowledge exchanges.
• Support CoP membership growth and monitor performance against program targets.
• Conduct field visits to verify data and collect qualitative insights.
• Contribute to research, lessons learned and donor reporting.
• Support alignment of activities with KPIs and maintain data integrity.
• Promote safeguarding, accountability and Mercy Corps values throughout program implementation.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences or another related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, livelihoods, employment or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and implementing programs.
• Experience in strategic planning, work planning, project budget management and donor compliance.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience of the refugee working context is required.
• Experience engaging with the private sector as a placement partner, collaborator or staff member.
• Experience working with refugees is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with start-ups or technology solutions is an advantage.

Required Skills

• Strong project management, planning and coordination skills.
• Strong networking and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Creative and innovative problem-solving approach.
• Strong understanding of refugee livelihoods and technology-enabled economic opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace/GSuite and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong self-management and results-oriented approach.

Working Conditions

• Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Requires up to 30% travel to refugee settlements and stakeholder locations.
• Travel may include insecure locations with limited freedom of movement and amenities.
• The position is classified as Risk Level 3, involving frequent participant contact, access to sensitive data and a high level of accountability.
• Team members are expected to dedicate 5% of their time to learning and professional development.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports To: Platform Inclusion Lead, based in Kenya
• Works With: Director of Programs, Mercy Corps Ethiopia; Jobtech Alliance Venture Partners; Results, Learning & Research Team; Ecosystem Lead; Finance and Operations; Human Resources.

Application Information

• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Vacancy: 1
• Application Deadline: September 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Required Application Documents

• CV
• Three references
• Applicable official papers/documents

How to Apply

All qualified candidates are invited to apply electronically. Applications should include a CV, three references and all applicable official documents.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women and young candidates to apply.

Deadline: September 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM