Program Officer (SUN) 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. Mercy Corps Nigeria was established in 2012 to respond to these challenges. The Nigeria Mercy Corps team. Headquartered in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with offices throughout Nigeria delivering multi-sectoral life-saving humanitarian support, early recovery, and development programs.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Officer (SUN)

Location: Marte, Borno
Position Status: Full-time, Regular
Safeguarding Risk Level: 3
Reports Directly To: SUN Program Manager
Works Directly With: All program Staff, M & E teams, MC beneficiaries, MC Partners (Mon club initiative)

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps Nigeria in its bid to deliver a 10-month assistance and early recovery intervention in line with the Borno State Government Strategic Transformational Initiatives-STIs (2020-2030) and 25-Year Development Framework.
• The SUN intervention not only contributes to Pillar Six (Reconstruct, Rehabilitate & Resettle) of the Borno State Government STIs, it also aligns with Mercy Corps vision of building towards a more inclusive, resilient future for the communities we serve through a framework of helping people and communities to cope, adapt and thrive.
• The SUN objective is to Provide safe, locally and climate sensitive multi sectoral assistance to vulnerable, conflict affected individuals (men, women, boys and girls) through integrated, inclusive, accountable and context responsive programming in Marte, Borno State.. Mercy Corps (MC) and Mon Club International (MCI) will address acute humanitarian needs of crisis-affected populations in the underserved Marte LGA of Borno State.
• A cash and vouchers-based program will deliver integrated multi-sectoral assistance (Food security and livelihood, Shelter and WASH sectors) to vulnerable and/or food insecure HHs who have resettled or returned to Marte.

General Position Summary

• The SUN Program Officer, under the supervision of SUN PM will support the day-to-day implementation of activities in SUN program and work with Mon Club Initiative to support Shelter, WASH and Food security & Livelihood activities in Marte. S/he will work closely with other sectors such as MEL, CARM, Shelter, WASH and Livelihood in ensuring smooth project implementation and delivery of program objectives.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Develop activity work plans and manage day-to-day activity implementation.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria.
• Train targeted beneficiaries on best agronomy practices, climate-smart agriculture through formal training, on-job mentorship, and supportive supervision
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building is incorporated into program planning.
• Coordinate and or supervise community mobilization and sensitization activities on program
• Closely collaborate with other sector teams to ensure an integrated approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other program actors.
• Coordinate with other sectors (Cash, Agric, Shelter, MEL, WASH, NCAT, Protection, CARM) and support units to ensure activities are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
• Provide inputs to the design and implementation of trainings in any areas related to the program activities for staff, communities, and program beneficiaries.
• Regularly monitor and supervise construction activities
• Ensures beneficiary complaints mechanisms and Accountability to the Affected Population is addressed in the appropriate way that does not discredit the image of Mercy Corps.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, and local government in the targeted LGAs.
• Ensure that key learning’s are extracted from Food Security and Livelihood implementation and incorporate them in implementations and staff development processes.
• Maintain filing of all Mercy Corps beneficiaries, and ensure all lists are well captured electronically and manually.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate community meetings, events and training as required.
• Represent Mercy Corps in relevant forums/clusters.
• Work with all program teams, M&E on FSL activities monitoring including baselines, end-lines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises and evaluations and ensure learning informs programming.
• Responsible for monitoring the day-to-day activities in the field and initiating relevant assessments reports with proposals.
• 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.
• Any Other duties as assigned.

Safeguarding Responsibility:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work ·
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members ·
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: SUN Program manager.
• Works Directly With: All program Staffs, M & E teams, MC beneficiaries, MC Partners (Mon club initiative).

Knowledge and Experience

• BA / BSc. in Agriculture or any related discipline.
• 3 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; general gender and protection mainstreaming experience & knowledge required.
• The applicant must be resident/indigene of Marte LGA and willing to work in Marte.
• At least 1 year of experience implementing any of the sectors within the program in the Northeast, Nigeria.
• At least 2 years of experience implementing on and off farm livelihood (Agriculture and briquettes formation).
• Experience using voucher modality and knowledge of Nagis platform is a plus
• Experience working with local partners especially market vendors is required.
• Experience with conducting gender analysis, protection assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts is a plus.
• 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 and Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
• 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 Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and always adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
• As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected])

Application Closing Date
5th July, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Note that Mercy Corps upholds a strict policy against accepting any form of bribe in our recruitment process. We prioritize fairness and transparency in our selection process.