Governance Coordinator - Conflict Management and Stabilization 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Governance Coordinator - Conflict Management and Stabilization

Reference Number: MDG/HUMOPS/2019/00079
Location: Maiduguri, Borno State with 25% travels to deep field locations within North East Nigeria.

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs.
• As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.
• The Nigeria country program has grown considerably over the last few years, and is now the fifth largest Mercy Corps country program, with a mixed grant and programming portfolio.
• The Northeast Conflict Management and Stabilization (NE-CMS) Program is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) to improve security and reduce support for violence in Borno State in Northeast Nigeria. Following two previous phases of the program starting in August 2016, the NE-CMS program entered Phase III in August 2019 for an additional two-year implementation period, which is expected to result in:
  • Improved engagement of citizens and willingness of civilian government and security forces to meet community needs around service delivery and protection
  • Improved protection of communities from intentional and unintentional harm caused by armed opposition groups and militias
  • Enhanced trust and social cohesion within and between actors at the community-level
  • Enhanced equity and inclusion of marginalized social groups, especially women and youth, in spaces for decision making and peacebuilding

General Position Summary

• The Governance Coordinator will manage critical relationships with local and state government-level actors, provide technical guidance on the governance and advocacy components of the program, and manage the implementation of activities in close coordination with national partners.
• S/he will directly support NE-CMS advocacy efforts for peacebuilding in Borno as well as those of local communities in an effort to address service delivery and protection needs.

Essential Job Functions
Program Management:

• Provide recommendations on the strategic direction of the governance and advocacy programing to ensure that overall impact and outcome-level results of the program are achieved
• Develop an activity plan and regular monthly work plans for the governance and advocacy programming, in alignment with the overall program work plan
• Review local partner work plans to ensure that activities adhere to strategic objectives
• Provide technical leadership and guidance in the implementation and management of innovative governance and advocacy initiatives aligned to the NE-CMS program
• Provide training and mentorship to the NE-CMS national partners and other implementers on governance and advocacy tools and approaches
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure the quality and integrity of activity implementation, including adherence to technical guidelines, administrative systems, and established deadlines
• Compile and submit evidence-based activity reports and contribute to relevant monitoring systems
• Ensure that lessons learned from activity reporting and monitoring are integrated into further design and implementation of programming
• Ensure integration and coordination with other components of the program for the achievement of holistic program impact

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect in which all team members strive to achieve excellence
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback on a consistent basis within the team
• Provide relevant team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach collective 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.

Finance and Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to the program implementation
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budgets

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with local and state-level government officials, national civil society organizations, INGOs, and other key stakeholders
• Facilitate networks between local community groups and state-level stakeholders for effective advocacy initiatives
• Communicate effectively with all relevant stakeholders to feature NE-CMS programming and results and nurture local ownership and accountability
• Proactively form relationships with relevant implementing partners to complement NE-CMS programming
• Represent NE-CMS on governance and advocacy issues at technical and strategic planning meetings, or as requested by the Program Manager

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.

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.

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.

Accountability:

• Supervisory Responsibility: None
• Reports Directly To: NE-CMS Program Manager
• Works Directly With: Senior Program Officers, MEL Team, Program Assistants

Knowledge and Experience

• Master's degree or equivalent in Political Science, International Studies, Social Sciences, Economics or other relevant field
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive work experience, with at least 2 years focusing on governance and/or advocacy
• Strong experience working in Borno State
• Demonstrated ability to foster strong relationships with local authorities, state-level ministries, and local government officials
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across multiple stakeholders
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving
• Experience working with national and international NGOs
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills
• Excellent oral and written English and Hausa skills required
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members

Success Factors

• The successful Governance Coordinator will combine exceptional leadership, coordination and representation skills.
• S/He will have strong management skills and experience in building and maintaining donor and partner relationships.
• S/he will have an ability to approach complex challenges through a systems-thinking lens and have an ability to think creatively about solutions.
• S/he will possess high level of adaptability and be able to adjust to a constantly changing working environment.
• S/he will have previous experience in implementing programs in insecure and conflict context. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
• 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

• The position is based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria and will require travel within the state about 25% of the time. Security in the field locations require additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the field is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on short-term assignments. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Application Closing Date
14th November, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should to submit their 4 page CV and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected]

Note

• All applications must include the position title and Reference Number in the subject line
• CV and cover letter and should not be more than 4 pages.
• 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.