Driving Impact Through Markets: Mercy Corps’ Market-Based Programming Advisor Role
Mercy Corps continues to demonstrate its commitment to building resilient communities by recruiting a Market-Based Programming Advisor for the PRO-WASH & SCALE Award. This global role, open to professionals in any country where Mercy Corps operates—with a strong preference for African locations—offers a unique opportunity to influence humanitarian and development outcomes at scale, particularly in fragile and emergency contexts.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization driven by the belief that a better world is possible. Operating in more than 40 countries, the organization partners with communities affected by crisis, conflict, and poverty to implement bold, practical solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger futures from within. Mercy Corps’ work spans disaster response, economic development, food security, water and sanitation, and resilience-building, always grounded in accountability, learning, and respect for the communities it serves.
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About PRO-WASH & SCALE
The PRO-WASH & SCALE (PWS) initiative is a capacity-strengthening and learning award funded by the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and managed by the U.S. Department of State. Implemented by Save the Children and Mercy Corps, the program aims to strengthen the design, implementation, and effectiveness of interventions across WASH, agriculture, livelihoods, markets, and natural and water resource management. With a strong focus on emergency contexts, PWS supports partners to deliver more effective food security and nutrition programs. Mercy Corps leads markets, agriculture systems, livelihoods, and natural resource management activities through its Technical Support, Evidence and Program Quality (TEQ) Unit.
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The Role: Market-Based Programming Advisor
The Market-Based Programming Advisor will lead all markets-related work under PWS, supporting partners to apply market-based programming (MBP) approaches across multiple technical sectors. Working across agencies and countries, the Advisor will align activities with U.S. Department of State priorities while ensuring relevance to fragile and emergency environments.
Key responsibilities include organizing and facilitating remote and in-person trainings, workshops, and learning events; documenting and sharing best practices; and developing practical tools and guidance tailored to partner needs. As the program enters its final year, the Advisor will also play a critical role in supporting culmination learning events and ensuring that lessons learned are effectively disseminated and embedded in sustainability strategies.
Core Responsibilities and Impact
The Advisor will provide hands-on technical support to partners implementing MBP approaches within agriculture (including seed systems), WASH, and livelihoods programs. This includes advising on rapid market assessments, market data analysis, and the application of findings to improve emergency program design. The role also emphasizes active engagement in global learning platforms and communities of practice such as Markets in Crises, the Global WASH Cluster, and ISSD Africa.
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are central to the position. The Advisor will support strong M&E systems, assess the impact of capacity-strengthening efforts, and contribute to reflection and learning processes that inform program strategy. Financial and compliance responsibilities include contributing to transparent resource use, drafting scopes of work for consultants, and supporting donor reporting.
Who Should Apply
This role is ideal for professionals with at least five years of experience applying market-based programming in fragile or emergency contexts. Strong familiarity with emergency food security systems, agricultural markets, and private sector engagement is essential, while experience in WASH, nutrition, and USG-funded programs is an added advantage. Exceptional facilitation skills, the ability to collaborate across countries and teams, and fluency in English are required, with French preferred.
Why Join Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps offers a dynamic, inclusive work environment that values learning, collaboration, and innovation. Team members are encouraged to dedicate time to professional growth and are supported to work safely and ethically in complex environments. With a strong commitment to equity, safeguarding, and accountability, Mercy Corps provides a platform for professionals to make a meaningful global impact.
For those passionate about leveraging markets to improve humanitarian outcomes, this role represents a powerful opportunity to shape learning, influence practice, and contribute to more effective emergency responses worldwide.
