Partner Evaluation Assistant at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

Youth Impact Labs is a partnership between Mercy Corps and Google.org launched in 2017 to catalyze the creation of new work opportunities for young people by leveraging technology. Impact Labs operates from Amman and Nairobi as strategic regional hubs for the Middle East and East Africa. Impact Labs aims to think big, take risks, and test bold solutions by approaching underemployment and unemployment through a business-oriented innovation lens. We seek to build a strong regional pipeline of innovators ready to create high- impact, scalable employment opportunities across various markets - for today’s youth and generations to come. We are focusing on digital marketplaces and platforms that offer services to micro and small businesses; agricultural supply chain management; and digital work.

General Position Summary

This is a short term position for a duration of 3 months. The Partner Evaluation Assistant will be responsible for conducting initial market landscape assessments and conducting initial partner reviews in order to support the development of a partner investment pipeline. S/he will initiate company and market assessments, generate market sector briefs and prepare internal memos to support the partner selection process.

Job Responsibilities

Market research

• Conduct market research, analyze market trends on youth employment and technology;
• Conduct desk research to map out early stage tech enhanced businesses that are creating new employment opportunities
• Prepare market briefs of priority sectors based on market research conducted

Due diligence

• Conduct initial assessment of pitch decks and company financial statements
• Conduct initial assessment of job creation potential
• Prepare an investment memo of companies reviewed for internal purposes

Engagement Execution support

• Conduct initial review of the due diligence information gathered to determine accuracy and authenticity
• Consolidate and organize due diligence documents

Other

• Conduct himself/herself both 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 toward accountability, specificall 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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Partnerships Manager

Works Directly With: Partnerships Manager, Investment Analyst

Knowledge and Experience

• This is an entry level position but 1- 2 years’ experience working in business, financial and/or technology analysis in the banking, technology, business support or NGO sectors is preferred
• Prior exposure to grant application assessment exercises
• Demonstrated aptitude for analytics and quantitative problem-solving
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Good writing and presentation skills
• Passion for youth employment programming and financial analysis

Success Factors

The ideal candidate should have the willingness to learn, improve and take feedback positively. S/he should be organized and possess good judgement. The ability to work effectively with people at all levels in the project is crucial.