Community Mobilization Officer at Mercy Corps Nigeria

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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Community Mobilization Officer (MAIDA)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Program/Department Summary

• The MAIDA programme will directly support the recovery of at least 70,000 women, men, girls and boys who are returnees, IDPs and members of host communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in southern and central Borno State.
• The objective of MAIDA is to increase the social cohesion and resilience to economic, social and climate related shocks in Borno State in an environmentally-conscious way.
• Four interrelated and mutually reinforcing intermediate outcomes will contribute to achieving this objective.
• First, MAIDA will restore and improve rural livelihoods in an ecologically sustainable manner by enabling households to take advantage of existing and new agricultural market opportunities.
• In parallel, adolescents and youth will be empowered as economic actors in their communities through access to employment, diversified livelihood opportunities, vocational training and business development initiatives.
• These outcomes will be reinforced by improved access to social protection and community-based services for women, youth, adolescent breadwinners and other at-risk groups.
• Finally, overall social cohesion will be strengthened within and between conflict-affected communities and environmental resource management will be improved in areas of displacement and return.
• Sectors of intervention will include market-led and climate-smart livelihood and employment opportunities, vocational training for youth, social and economic protection and community reintegration and peace building.
• Economic recovery activities will build resilience through Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) market systems-based models, reducing poverty by enhancing the ways that poor and vulnerable households interact with markets.

General Position Summary

• The Community Mobiliser is responsible to mobilize communities to participate in meetings, visits, dialogues and other programme activities and works with the community on a day-to-day basis.
• The community mobilizer is responsible for community engagement within their assigned LGA situated in Borno State.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Map community leaders, groups and individuals and provide input and guidance on the choice of community leaders, groups and individuals to engage with.
• Schedule meetings with the identified relevant stakeholders and guide the project staff to the various meeting points within the LGA as required.
• Support in taking meeting notes and collecting relevant data.
• Frequently update the project team on all outreach and engagement activities with the identified stakeholders from the meetings. This includes all meetings, one-on-one interviews, phone calls, email exchanges and any additional public outreach activities.
• Conduct him/herself professionally as a representative of Mercy Corps to the community.
• Conduct self both professionally and personally in a manner that brings credit to Mercy Corps and does not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Nigeria.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned or required.

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.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

Knowledge and Experience

• Educational qualification in relevant field required (Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Business Administration)
• 2 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian programs required.
• Ability to prepare concise reports.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local stakeholders.
• Excellent oral, written and computer skills.
• Fluency in English, Hausa and Kanuri is required.

Success Factors

• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required.  A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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.

Applications Closing Date
4th August, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected] All applications must include the position title in the subject line, be not more than four pages.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.