EOI for Digital Blue Collar Jobs at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. Across the more than 40 countries in which we operate, we’re working to address root causes of poverty head on, and helping those caught in crisis not only meet their immediate needs, but build a brighter future.
• In taking on these challenges, Mercy Corps does not act alone nor are we satisfied with business as usual. In our work, we strive to innovate for greater impact - often through increased take-up of technology and investment in market-driven models.
• In our work, we see technology as an enabler to improve scale, access, efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness in our global work.
• Youth Empowered for Success (YES!) is a partnership with The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) and Harambee which seeks to enhance employment for 25,000 young people in six African countries by 2018, and 500,000 by 2022. Mercy Corps is the lead implementer in Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tunisia.

The program has three workstreams:

• Core YES! Model: Localizing the YES! model in 6 countries to improve the employment and entrepreneurship of 11,000 youth.
• Innovation and Digital: YES! drives innovation in youth employment in Africa, reaching 14,000 youth through sustainable business solutions
• Thought leadership: Research and learning on youth economic empowerment in Africa, building an evidence base enabling partnerships to scale to reach 500,000

Under the Innovation & Digital workstream, YES! seeks to support business initiatives which can sustainable scale to impact youth employment. It has two desire outcomes:

• Services that enhance youth employment & entrepreneurship are available through sustainable business models
• Participating youth have improved employment and entrepreneurship.

Eligibility Criteria
Expressions of Interest are sought only from institutions that:

• Are Nigerian-registered institutions, either NGOs or companies, in operation for at least 18 months.
• Have a track record in the connection of youth in blue collar work to employment, and are ready to move from pilot into scale phase
• Have a clear proposal for how technology will help them to achieve scale,
• Can reach at least 500 youth within 9 months
• Have a demonstrated commitment to the social values and impact of the initiative.
• Applicants must be operating in Lagos