Gender & Protection, Senior Program 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 partner 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 has worked since 2012 by focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Gender & Protection, Senior Program Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

General Position Summary

• The Gender and Protection Senior Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Protection sector activities including the mobilization of women’s groups, training on topics such as psychological first aid, and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), and the validation of referral pathways in Northeast Nigeria Maiduguri (will focus on Ngala and Dikwa)
• The Senior Program Officer will also advise other sector teams on gender and protection mainstreaming and best practices.
• The Gender and Protection Senior Program Officer will work closely with the Protection Advisor, Team Leader, Head of Office, and support staff (including finance, operations, and administration) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.
• The position includes the daily management of program staff. The Gender and Protection Senior Program Officer reports directly to the Team Leader on admin and will receive technical guidance and supervision from the Protection Advisor and will work closely with the I-SING Programme Manager.

Essential Job Functions
Strategy and Vision:

• Recognize opportunities to evolve the current humanitarian portfolio into a more effective and impactful portfolio addressing the changing needs of conflict-affected populations.
• Contribute to country-wide strategy development.

Representation and Coordination:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective coordination with relevant working groups, UN, ICRC and colleagues I/NGO agencies.

Program Management:

• Oversee the implementation of protection sector activities and administration of the teams across three field locations;
• Develop activity workplans and manage day-to-day activity implementation;
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to community needs, meets targets, and is carried out in line with best practices;
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria;
• Establish and maintain effective program reporting, and monitoring and evaluation systems (to track, analyze and report on results) for both internal and external use;
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate;
• Ensure program filing system is in place, adheres to internal and donor regulation and filing is regularly maintained;
• Adhere to all MC policies related to security, operations and transport/ logistics information related to programming.

Team Management:

• Supervise, hire and orient team members, as necessary;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building is incorporated into program planning.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with all donor and Mercy Corps regulations;
• Proactively follow-up on reconciliation of cash transfer activities related to livelihoods;
• Oversee the livelihood sector activity budgets and project monthly cash flow.

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.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Gender and Protection Officer

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Team Leader
• Works Directly With: Protection Advisor, Finance, Program, Operations, MEL, and support team

Requirements, Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree and above in relevant field required.
• Minimum 4-5 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; specifically in economic recovery.
• Prior experience implementing livelihoods programs is essential, preferably in conflict settings.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa and Kanuri is required.

Success Factors

• Must be able to work independently and show initiative. Strong leadership, communication, and management skills are essential.
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation is required.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and coach a diverse team.
• Must be able to problem solve and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.

Applications Closing Date
31st December, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org
Or
Drop off application in a sealed envelope with the position boldly written to:
Mercy Corps Nigeria,
No.6 Extension 111 Gambole Road, Opposite Capital School,
Old GRA,
Maiduguri,
Borno State.

Note

• All applications must include the position title in the subject line and not more than 4 pages.
• All applications must include the position title in the subject line. Please note that 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.