Mercy Corps is currently recruiting a Market-Based Programming Advisor to support its PRO-WASH & SCALE Award, a major USAID-funded initiative focused on strengthening humanitarian response systems in fragile and emergency settings. This is a unique opportunity for experienced humanitarian professionals to take on a global leadership role that influences market-based approaches across multiple sectors and regions.
Location: Global (open to any Mercy Corps country of operation, with preference for Africa)
Contract Type: Fixed-term (contingent on funding)
Travel Requirement: Up to 20%
Programme Duration: Through December 2026
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organisation working in over 40 countries worldwide. The organisation partners with communities affected by conflict, poverty, climate shocks, and disaster to build long-term resilience and inclusive systems.
Mercy Corps is known for:
- Delivering emergency response, recovery, and long-term development programmes
- Promoting locally led solutions and innovation
- Using evidence, learning, and adaptive management to improve impact
- Addressing the root causes of crisis rather than short-term symptoms
With a strong emphasis on learning and market-driven solutions, Mercy Corps continues to shape best practices across the humanitarian and development sectors.
About PRO-WASH & SCALE
The PRO-WASH & SCALE Award is a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA)-funded capacity strengthening and learning programme implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with Save the Children.
The programme aims to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian and food security interventions, particularly in fragile, conflict-affected, and emergency contexts.
Key thematic and technical focus areas include:
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
- Agriculture and seed systems
- Livelihoods and market systems
- Natural resource management
- Food security and nutrition
The award places a strong emphasis on market-based programming (MBP) as a tool to improve sustainability, efficiency, and local economic recovery.
Role Overview: Market-Based Programming Advisor
The Market-Based Programming Advisor will serve as the technical lead for all market-related work under the PRO-WASH & SCALE Award. This role is central to strengthening partner capacity, advancing learning, and embedding market-based approaches across sectors such as agriculture, WASH, and livelihoods.
The Advisor will work closely with partners, global technical networks, and programme teams to ensure high-quality design and implementation of MBP interventions. A particular focus will be placed on consolidating learning and sharing best practices during the final year of the award.
Key Responsibilities
Programme and Technical Leadership
- Lead the market-based programming capacity-strengthening strategy
- Provide technical support for market assessments and emergency programme design
- Support partners in integrating MBP across agriculture, WASH, and livelihoods programmes
- Design and facilitate high-quality trainings, workshops, and learning events
Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Document best practices, innovations, and lessons learned
- Contribute to global learning agendas and technical guidance
- Engage with global coordination and technical platforms, including:
- Markets in Crisis (MiC)
- WASH Cluster
- Cash and Markets working groups
Required Qualifications
Candidates should meet the following requirements:
- At least 5 years of experience in market-based programming, particularly in fragile or emergency contexts
- Strong background in food security, humanitarian response, and coordination systems
- Demonstrated experience conducting market systems assessments and engaging the private sector
- Proven facilitation and adult learning skills
- Experience working on US Government-funded programmes is strongly preferred
- Fluency in English is required; French is an advantage
Why Apply?
This role offers a rare opportunity to:
- Hold a global leadership position within a respected humanitarian organisation
- Shape and influence market-based approaches across multiple sectors
- Work with international partners and technical networks
- Contribute to scalable, sustainable, and locally driven humanitarian solutions
- Strengthen systems that support long-term recovery and resilience
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly through Mercy Corps’ official recruitment portal.
🔗 Apply here:
https://jobs.jobvite.com/mercycorps/job/oUA2yfwO
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.