Senior Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Job Description
Program/Department Summary:

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation.
• With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast.
• With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• The senior program officer will assist and advise program management in day to day activities.
• This will include: interacting with partner organizations, gathering and analysis of project data, conducting needs assessments, training and development, planning and program staff management.
• In addition, the senior program officer will be responsible for ensuring a quality-driven, flexible, and expedited work flow in all aspects of the program.
• In collaboration with the Program Coordinator will need to ensure timely reporting and that implementation objectives are met as per developed work plans.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervise program officers and assistants and provide support and training in all their activities. Assist in the development of their professional skills. Conduct staff evaluations as appropriate.
• Ensure correct allocation of responsibilities within the team and that the program runs in an efficient and effective manner.
• Coordinate activities daily with program officers and assistants.
• Coordinate training plans with staff, identify training needs and develop, implement, and maintain training plan.
• Assist management in identifying, planning, and addressing priority needs.
• Ensure reports are prepared and submitted on time and are of an acceptable standard
• Support with written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary;
• Keep management informed at all times.
• Track project impact, standards, and operational compliance.
• Participate in meetings as assigned.
• Stay abreast of project developments and needs
• Manage the programme filing system.
• Work closely with Monitoring and Evaluation team to plan and conduct monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Visit program sites regularly to monitor and supervise program activities.
• Represent Mercy Corps as requested at meetings with local partners, community groups, local administration.
• Participate and facilitate coordination and collaboration with other agencies.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• 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 in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven ability to develop and maintain good relation with the local communities and project beneficiaries.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing and reporting.
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience is highly recommended.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, with dedication towards community work, commitment to work long hours in the field conditions with limited access to resources.
• S/He will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable to work without direct supervision. S/he will be willing to conduct field travels and work in ethnically and culturally diversified and fast growing team.
• S/He will have management and leadership skills and demonstrate capacity to lead a team and make decisions as needed.

go to method of application »

Job Description
Program/Department Summary:

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation.
• With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast.
• With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria.
• The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• The senior program officer will assist and advise program management in day to day activities.
• This will include: interacting with partner organizations, gathering and analysis of project data, conducting needs assessments, training and development, planning and program staff management.
• In addition, the senior program officer will be responsible for ensuring a quality-driven, flexible, and expedited work flow in all aspects of the program.
• In collaboration with the Program Coordinator will need to ensure timely reporting and that implementation objectives are met as per developed work plans.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervise program officers and assistants and provide support and training in all their activities. Assist in the development of their professional skills. Conduct staff evaluations as appropriate.
• Ensure correct allocation of responsibilities within the team and that the program runs in an efficient and effective manner.
• Coordinate activities daily with program officers and assistants.
• Coordinate training plans with staff, identify training needs and develop, implement, and maintain training plan.
• Assist management in identifying, planning, and addressing priority needs.
• Ensure reports are prepared and submitted on time and are of an acceptable standard
• Support with written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary;
• Keep management informed at all times.
• Track project impact, standards, and operational compliance.
• Participate in meetings as assigned.
• Stay abreast of project developments and needs
• Manage the programme filing system.
• Work closely with Monitoring and Evaluation team to plan and conduct monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Visit program sites regularly to monitor and supervise program activities.
• Represent Mercy Corps as requested at meetings with local partners, community groups, local administration.
• Participate and facilitate coordination and collaboration with other agencies.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• 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 in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• Proven ability to develop and maintain good relation with the local communities and project beneficiaries.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing and reporting.
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience is highly recommended.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, with dedication towards community work, commitment to work long hours in the field conditions with limited access to resources.
• S/He will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable to work without direct supervision. S/he will be willing to conduct field travels and work in ethnically and culturally diversified and fast growing team.
• S/He will have management and leadership skills and demonstrate capacity to lead a team and make decisions as needed.