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 — helping people triumph over
adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been working in Liberia
since 2002.
Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Liberian candidates for the following
position(s):
1. Enterprise Development and Innovation Manager – 01 position, based in Monrovia with frequent travel to
the field offices.
2. Please find below the full position description for this position.
“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all
backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity

Employer”.

3. How to apply?
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their detailed CV with a cover letter along with other relevant
certificates to the email address lr-jobs@mercycorps.org Or apply through the system below. You are requested to mention the title of the position on the
subject line of the e-mail while applying.
Hard copies of the CV with cover letter along with all relevant certificates can be dropped at Mercy Corps’ Office located on
Tubman Boulevard, Oldest Congo Town, Sophie, and Opposite SOS Clinic. Monrovia. Label the left corner of the envelope
with the title of the position for which you are applying.
Last date for the submission of CV’s is January 28, 2020 by 04:00 pm. Mercy Corps reserves the right to accept or reject
any or all CV(s) without assigning any reason. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Telephone enquiries will not
be entertained.
QUALIFIED FEMALES CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Vacancy Announcement

ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION MANAGER
Position Description
Location Monrovia, Liberia
Position Status Full-time
Salary Level: Grade 05 – Level C-E
About Mercy Corps
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 — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps started operations in Liberia in 2002 in response to the humanitarian crisis brought on by the two Liberian
civil wars which took place from 1989-1997and 1999-2003. Since then, Mercy Corps’ interventions have evolved based
on the context and needs of Liberian people. Based on the changing needs, Mercy Corps Liberia has implemented
programs in renewable energy, food security, agricultural livelihoods, financial inclusion, nutrition, water and
sanitation, infrastructure, and in youth economic empowerment.
General Position Summary
Reporting to the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Team Leader, the Enterprise Development and Innovation
Manager will play an important technical and strategic leadership role, supporting delivery of the AFD-funded Liberia
Employment and Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) (2019-2023) including planning, organizing, leading, and controlling
program activities. LEEP is a three-year program to bolster employment and entrepreneurship potential of at-risk youth,
engage public and private sector stakeholders in youth opportunities and build micro- and small and medium enterprise
(MSME) capacity to contribute to economic growth and social development in Liberia. Together with the Team Leader,
the Enterprise Development and Innovation Manager will represent LEEP to external private sector stakeholders and
play a key role in building and managing effective partnerships. The post-holder will work closely with the PROSPECTS
Program team and the field team (currently three field offices) for the implementation of the LEEP program.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
 Reviewing and mapping the youth entrepreneurship eco-ecosystem, develop an appropriate incubation model
to support youth Liberian entrepreneurs that have moved beyond the early stages of business establishment.
 Identify and work with incubation and acceleration business providers to develop and implement an
incubation/acceleration program aimed at equipping the cohort businesses in: product-market fit, market
planning and strategy, Go-To-Market Strategies, financial reporting, legal, value proposition, intellectual
property, marketing tactics, revenue models, team/leadership development and growth financing options. This
should include the following:
o Develop and execute strategy for outreach, hunting, attracting and onboarding deserving and qualified
innovative entrepreneurs, and start-ups.

o Provide high-quality coaching and advisory support to entrepreneurs.
o Qualify and evaluate applicants for creativity, innovation, acceleration and investment stage.
o Manage the day- to- day interaction with the Incubates.
o Provide support to entrepreneurs across ideation, acceleration, investment and scale-up stage.
o Ensure tight management of milestones and progress of entrepreneurs and start-up companies.
o Guide & support start-ups for fundraising activity.
o Develop, execute and own an operational and engagement strategy for the entire community
including donors, startups, investors, corporates, mentors, advisors, and domain experts.
o Provide continued strategic guidance to entrepreneurs in areas such as business modeling, sales, and
marketing, financing, fundraising, overall strategy, operations etc.
o Be the switchboard for entrepreneurs to access relevant resources and connections
 Design and implement a scaling-up grant program that provides business expansion grants to the cohort
businesses.
 Mobilize the private sector to establish a Youth Employment Taskforce to identify ways in which private sector
business activities could generate more and better jobs for local youth, both in their operations and along their
supply chains.
 Work with various partners including the Embassy of France, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of
Commerce, and the Liberian’ media to organise annual awards for businesses that provide the most job
opportunities for young people throughout the year.
 Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice relevant to innovative
partnerships and private sector development.
 Identify fora and opportunities for Mercy Corps to show case its work related to innovative partnerships,
solutions and the private sector engagement, including identifying best practices that can be shared nationally
and internationally through LEEP initiatives.
 Perform other tasks, as required by the supervisor.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
 Conduct training and hand on experiences for programme staff on resource mobilization and networking with
the objective of promoting better knowledge related to innovative partnerships and forms of collaboration
including multi-sectoral platforms, public-private sector partnerships and engagement of subnational actors
etc.
 Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular
performance discussions.
 Train and mentor staff incubation and enterprise development and market systems approaches to ensure
successful program implementation.
 Work closely and oversee partners, including private sector actors, government agencies, universities, and
research entities.
 Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach
objectives.
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
 Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and
informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
 Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
 Build and/or maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs.

 Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical
efficacy and contract budget.
PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENTS
 Develop partnerships with the private sector in alignment with the objective of mobilizing Liberia’s private
sector to create meaningful employment opportunities for young women and men and to correct labor market
failures.
 Maintain contacts and relationships with private sector partners / foundations and related stakeholders and
develop working relationships with companies interested in Mercy Corps’ work.
 Perform, as requested, risk assessment of possible new private sector partners.
 Generate interest among partners, donors, ecosystem players and other support agencies in a collaborative
manner, building and leveraging overall youth sector activities and Mercy Corps programming.
 Contribute to the programming and design of private sector activities and support the integration of technical
advice into the LEEP program.
 Work with program partners to structure technical engagements, including tech ecosystem development,
creation of business incubators, startup support services, which build and expand LEEP’s influence and reach
in Liberia.
PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION
 Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and analysis systems are in place,
adhered to and used as a decision-making tool, encouraging consistency across programs.
 Conduct frequent field visits to project sites to assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources
 Advise on and assist with project reviews conducted by the M&E Unit.
 Ensure authentic data is provided by field teams for project progress updates
OTHER
 Conduct him/herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to
not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
 Other duties as assigned.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations
are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve – we expect all team members to commit 5%
of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries
and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary
communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 3 LEEP staff
ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports Directly to the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Team Leader
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Department Heads, Program teams, finance and operational staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
 At least a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Management, Business Administration or other relevant field
(required)
 At least 2 years’ experience in a managerial position.
 At least 5 years’ experience managing entrepreneurship projects, incubators and accelerators, or SME
development required
 Demonstrated ability to cultivate, build and maintain strong working relationships with start-ups,
entrepreneurs, mentors, universities, research institutions, industry experts, associations, chamber of
commerce & industries, state & central government, and angel investors.
 Substantial experience of supporting early stage innovators and entrepreneurs, including a deep understanding
of what it takes to start a new enterprise
 Experience in designing training and exceptional facilitation skills, including the ability to communicate complex
topics lucidly
 Significant experience and proven skills in relationship management and in engaging and influencing a variety
of stakeholders
 Good understanding of social impact measurement
 Proficient skills in event delivery and project management, including the ability to manage time effectively and
balance multiple priorities
 Fluency in written and oral English is required.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
Knowledge of the social enterprise and education landscapes in Liberia, experience in marketing or promotion, strong
understanding of Market systems development and Entrepreneurship programming will ensure success in this role. The
ideal candidate would need to have excellent writing skills in order to succeed.