Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) promoting Resilience (PROPEL program) - Dakar, Senegal

Job description

Senegal

Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) promoting Resilience (PROPEL program)

• Dakar, Senegal

Organization

Mercy Corps

Posted

30 Jun 2026

Closing date

20 Jul 2026

Location: Dakar, SenegalPosition Status and duration: Full-time, estimated duration up to 3 years contingent on funding

Salary: Francs CFA 1M540K

• à valoriser en fonction de l'experience professionelle

Travel: up to 70% in countryLanguage: Required language fluency in French and English proficiency

Eligibility: This role is open to nationals of Senegal and residents with independant right to work in Senegal.

Closing date: Please submit your application and CV in English by end of July 20, 2026

Risk Level : Level 2: Some contact with participants; unplanned non-direct contact with children.

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.

The Program

PROPEL is a multi-country youth employment and market systems development program implemented across Uganda, Senegal, Liberia, and Tanzania. The program adopts a market-driven, private sector-led approach to addressing the persistent challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment, with a deliberate emphasis on reaching young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). PROPEL addresses systemic constraints to youth employment and supports the development of scalable and sustainable livelihood pathways. The program is implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with Junior Achievement Africa.

The Position

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) provides overall leadership for in-country implementation of PROPEL, ensuring that program delivery is adaptive, market-driven, and results-oriented. The role is responsible for translating regional strategy into context-specific implementation while embedding Political Economy Analysis (PEA), advancing private sector-led models, and applying targeted youth segmentation approaches with a focus on NEET populations. The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) ensures that interventions are responsive to local incentives and constraints, aligned with labor market demand, and capable of generating sustainable employment outcomes at scale.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) leads the development and execution of country-level strategies by translating regional priorities into context-specific informed interventions. The role ensures that planning is grounded in a deep understanding of local market systems, institutional dynamics, and Labor market realities, enabling adaptive and results-oriented implementation.

Lead the development of annual and quarterly work plans aligned with PROPEL’s regional strategy and country context

Conduct and continuously update Political Economy Analysis (PEA) to understand incentives, power dynamics, and constraints affecting youth employment systems

Integrate PEA insights into program design, partner selection, and adaptive management processes

Align program interventions with labor market demand and private sector needs

Ensure strategic coherence between youth employment pathways, market systems development, and program outcomes

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION & PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) oversees the implementation of program activities with a strong emphasis on private sector leadership as the primary driver of sustainable employment outcomes. The role ensures that interventions are demand-led, market-oriented, and designed to crowd in rather than substitute private sector participation;

Lead day-to-day implementation of all PROPEL activities in-country, ensuring quality, timeliness, and results delivery. Identify, engage, and manage partnerships with lead firms and private sector actors to co-create employment opportunities

Facilitate private sector-led models such as apprenticeships, job placements, and business service provision

Promote co-investment and ownership by private sector partners to ensure sustainability

Ensure a shift from supply-driven training approaches to demand-driven employment pathways

YOUTH SEGMENTATION & INCLUSION (NEET FOCUS)

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) ensures that program delivery is informed by clear youth segmentation frameworks that enable targeted and effective interventions, particularly for NEET populations. The role emphasizes differentiated pathways that respond to varying levels of vulnerability, readiness, and opportunity among young people.

Apply structured youth segmentation frameworks to categorize target groups based on employability and vulnerability

Design and implement tailored pathways for NEET youth, including foundational skills, job readiness, and enterprise development

Prioritize inclusion of women, marginalized groups, and displaced populations where relevant

Establish systems to track youth progression across employment pathways and outcomes

Ensure interventions are responsive to barriers faced by NEET youth, including access, mobility, and skills gaps

PARTNERSHIPS & ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) plays a central role in building and strengthening partnerships and market systems that support sustainable youth employment. The role goes beyond individual partnerships to focus on improving the overall functioning of the ecosystem.

Serve as the primary in-country representative of PROPEL in engagement with stakeholders

Build and manage strategic partnerships with government, private sector, training institutions, and financial actors

Strengthen ecosystem functions such as skills development systems, market information flows, and access to finance

Facilitate coordination with implementing partners and align interventions across stakeholders

Promote collaboration and alignment with national priorities and sector strategies

MEAL (MONITORING, EVALUATION, ACCOUNTABILITY & LEARNING)

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) ensures that robust MEAL systems are in place to track performance, measure system-level change, and inform adaptive management. The role promotes continuous learning and evidence-based decision-making.

Oversee implementation of MEAL systems that capture both program outputs and systemic change

Track changes in private sector behaviour, youth employment outcomes, and effectiveness of intervention models

Integrate learning loops informed by ongoing analysis, including updates from PEA

Ensure timely and high-quality reporting to regional teams and donors

Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement within the country team

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E)is responsible for overseeing all financial and operational aspects of the program at the country level, including budget management, procurement processes, and the administration of grants and sub-awards. The role ensures full compliance with donor requirements and Mercy Corps policies while promoting efficiency, accountability, and value for money in the use of resources.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) proactively identifies and manages risks associated with program implementation, drawing on key stakeholder views/Political Economy Analysis to anticipate market distortion. Appropriate mitigation strategies shall be developed and implemented to safeguard program integrity and ensure that interventions remain inclusive, transparent, and aligned with intended outcomes.

GENERAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT

Provide overall leadership and management of the office, ensuring a well-run working environment that supports staff productivity and wellbeing.

Oversee staff presence, and adherence to office policies, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and engagement across teams.

Direct day-to-day office operations, including ensuring systems and resources are in place for smooth functioning.

Serve as the senior point of accountability for office compliance with organisational policies and local regulations.

Approve payments for Senegal-based projects in line with delegated financial authority and internal control procedures (AAM).

Liaise with senior leadership and country/regional teams to align office operations with broader organisational priorities and represent the office in relevant internal and external forums.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Program Manager Market Systems for Employment (MS4E) actively integrates safeguarding principles into all aspects of program delivery, ensuring that the dignity, sa.