MrPeewee, only you know you circumstances, do you need a ME/IR right now or can you cope with just a SPA SE/IR?
Have you previously held a MPA ME/IR?
Now to do you first type rating it use to be the case you needed a valid/current ME/IR for any subsequent type ratings it was only necessary to have held a ME/IR.
I also think the rules on this may have changed again (I need to check, haven't got time right now) that it is also the case for a first MPA type you only need to have held a ME/IR, however no operator will take you without a current/ valid ME/IR so the point is academic.
So the chances you are going to get a multi crew job in the next 12 months are slim. Also unless you have over 700 hours you are not going to be eligible for any single pilot MEP job (a few exceptions for >500).