Program Coordinator - ISING at Mercy Corps

Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Program / Department Summary

• I-SING project is a 2 year funded project by the EU - Trust fund.
• The position is based in Maiduguri with travel to Gombe and Biu on a regular basis.
• The main office that houses majority of the staff is based in Biu thus the need to travel.
• The project’s focus is on adolescent girls and boys using the safe spaces model.
• The project works with IDPs, returnees and the host community.
• The overall objective of the program is to improve the safety, livelihoods and personal agency of adolescent girls in North East Nigeria.

General Position Summary

• The Program Coordinator supports the ISING Program Manager and the Deputy in the day-to-day implementation of project activities in the Gombe and Borno states of Northeast Nigeria.
• S/he will work closely with the ISING project MEL officer, Gender & Protection officer and Livelihoods officer to ensure smooth project implementation and delivery of project objectives.
• In the absence of the Program Manager, the Deputy Program Manager with support from the coordinator will act on their behalf, managing the project and work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Maiduguri to ensure the day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.
• The Deputy Project Manager reports directly to the ISING Program Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Program Management:

• Directly support the Program Manager in managing all operations and activities related to the ISING project in Maiduguri according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy.
• Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities and liaise with Program Manager/Deputy as necessary.
• In close collaboration with the Program Manager build the ISING Program Officers capacity ensuring that there are fluent communication channels that the reporting schedule is timely met and that projects objectives are achieved.
• Participate and facilitate coordination and collaboration with other agencies.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of trainings in any areas related to the ISING activities for staff, communities and project beneficiaries.
• Closely coordinate and share information with the various sectors of the ISING project staff including gender and livelihoods and general program support with regular program meetings and activity plans.
• Coordinate closely with the Program Manager and relevant administrative and finance staff to ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the project are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the project.
• Support the ISING Program Manager in forecasting expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the project in a timely fashion.
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, and local government in the target locations.
• Support the Program Manager in overseeing the project filing system for all ISING related activities and ensure that information is organized accordingly to the reporting and auditing needs of the project. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Mobilize communities to participate in the design, implementation and maintenance of projects as well as design viable strategies that are both respectful with the local culture and are gender sensitive and effective in engaging women in the activities of the project.
• Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all national ISING program officers
• Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary;
• 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.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Responsible for expenditure tracking of activities carried out in the field

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with the community, government and other stakeholder’s
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets are met.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

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:

• The coordinator will supervise three-program officers.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: The Program Manager.
• Works Directly With: Deputy Program Manager and with other I-SING officers in the program.

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing and reporting
• 3-4 years of experience in project implementation, or work with local partners or in any role that included training and capacity building of staff or partners.
• Bachelor Degree in relevant field or equivalent Master's Degree is preferred.
• Ability to work under pressure
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Kanuri other local languages is highly recommended.

Success Factors

• Strong Work Ethic, having the ability to learn the most efficient way of learning the most efficient way to complete tasks and finding ways to save time while completing daily assignments.
• Dependability and Responsibility, having the ability to come to work on time, are there when they are supposed to be, and are responsible for their actions and behavior.
• Adaptability, being adaptable and maintaining flexibility in completing tasks in an ever-changing workplace.
• 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.and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.