Cook at Mercy Corps

Location: Potiskum, Yobe
Position Status Full-time; Regular

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.

General Position Summary

• The cook must perform all duties related to the preparation of meals for Mercy Corps staff. Maintaining a high level of hygiene in the kitchen and in food preparation is of utmost importance.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Cooking:

• Prepare and updates food menu based on the request by Mercy Corps staff.
• Prepare and serve daily meals as required.
• Control stock of food and replenish the ones needed on time.
• Prepare shopping list and make purchases conscientiously.
• Keep a summary of expenses and retire all balance at the end of every shopping.
• Set table before every meal and clean up the table after each meal.
• Have food ready at the right time daily.
• Follow always all hygienic rules before, during and after cooking.

Cleanliness:

• Wash dishes after each meal.
• Clean cooker, fridge, cupboards and other kitchen items on a regular basis.
• Assure cleanliness of kitchen and dining room.
• Remove glasses and cups from all room ensure that there are always clean ones available.
• Assist in any cleaning and household work, as required.

Reporting:

• Ensure Operations Officer is informed of any problems that might be linked to the house as well as problematic kitchen items (e. g. broken, missing).
• Ensure that no item is taken out of the kitchen without prior authorization.

Other Duties:

• Replace empty dispenser bottle on the water dispenser machine.
• Clean water filters for potable water on a regular basis and change them whenever necessary.
• Ensure together with Operations Officer that all supplies related to cooking in the guest house are available on time i.e. matches, gas, cleaning items, etc.
• Keep an inventory of all kitchen utensils, plates, glasses, cutlery, cookware, etc and report items missing or needing repairs to Admin Officer/Assistant.
• Ensure that there is tea, coffee, milk and sugar available in the kitchen.
• Know how to use a fire extinguisher and fire blanket and where they are located.
• Be available to help the Operations Officer to organize parties and meetings.
• Assist the Operations Officer to organize parties and meetings and guests.
• 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.

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
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Operations Officer
• Works Directly With: All Operations Team Members in Potiskum

Knowledge and Experience

• Responsible and trustworthy, punctual, clean.
• A working knowledge of English is desired.
• Must have initiative and work largely unsupervised.
• Can cook vegetarian and meat-based meals.
• Understands the importance of hygiene in food preparation.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will have an initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, culinary skills and proven experience. 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 MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.