Governance and Advocacy Advisor at Mercy Corps

Reference Number: MDG/HUMOPS/2018/00012
Location: Maiduguri, Borno

Program / Department Summary
For years, the Northeast of Nigeria has been plagued by insurgency and a dire humanitarian crisis. The intense focus on humanitarian and counter-violence activities, coupled with increasingly complex conflict dynamics in the region, has exposed gaps in the international community’s response to new and emerging sources of violence.

Tensions between IDPs and host communities, resistance of communities to accept former fighters and their victims, fear of IDPs to return home and face tensions with those who stayed behind - these are just several evolving sources of conflict. If these issues are not addressed in a timely manner through locally- owned solutions, they have the potential to intensify and worsen the on-going crisis in the NE.

The North East Conflict Management and Stabilisation Initiative is an expansion from a pilot phase implemented by a consortium from August 2016 to March 2017. The project will result in increased peace within and between communities and increased confidence in government and security institutions to address the root causes of conflict and violent extremism in Borno State.

General Position Summary

• The Governance and Advocacy Advisor will provide technical, management, and strategic vision to the implementation of the governance and advocacy component by working with the project staff, national partners, to ensure that the program meets performance-based targets on-time and within budget, as per DfID requirements.
• S/he will coordinate governance and advocacy programming in the building of community trust in the ability of the Local and State Government to address the root causes of youth participation in violence in Borno.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Program Management:

• Provide technical leadership and guidance in the implementation and management of innovative governance and advocacy initiatives aligned to the NE CMS logical framework and project impact goal.
• Provide sector oversight and guidance in the implementation of governance and advocacy activities aligned with the project log frame and budget.
• Work with the NEC MS partners and other implementers on the governance and advocacy component of the project.
• Build the technical capacity of project staff in governance and advocacy skills that are relevant to the implementation of the project through training and continuous mentoring. Submit a clear capacity building plan for this process.
• Conduct periodic field visits to ensure the quality and integrity of project implementation, including adherence to technical guidelines, administrative systems, and established deadlines.
• Provide technical and sector inputs to/ during planning, organising and coordination of project monitoring processes, assessments, surveys, researches and evaluations.
• Support the project management in ensuring that the overall goal and specific objectives to the governance and advocacy component of the project are achieved.
• Develop a detailed activity plan for the Governance and Advocacy component and submit to the project manager for review and re-alignment with the main work plan within the first month of employment.
• Compile and submit in time for review; evidence based weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual technical reports and activity plans
• Develop and submit weekly and monthly activity plans in time for review and prior to implementation.
• Ensure integration and coordination with other components within the project for the attainment of holistic project impact.

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where you and other team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Assist in the technical supervision, hire and orientation of new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Implement performance planning and management systems, establish performance expectations with team members, and regularly provide constructive feedback on team members’ performance.
• 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 & Compliance Management:

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

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Proactively form relationships implementing partners to complement DFID funding.
• Represent NE CMS on governance and advocacy issue at technical and strategic planning meetings, or as requested by the Project Manager.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that you together with the team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

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.

Requirements, Knowledge and Experience

• Master's Degree or its equivalent in International Relations, International Development, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive work experience including at least 2 years in a senior management or technical advisory role on governance/advocacy or developmental programs.
• Strong understanding of UKAID compliance issues.
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues in highly insecure environment. Experience managing a multi-organizational team (international and national partners) is a plus.
• Experience working in North East Nigeria strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Hausa/ Kanuri required, including report development, writing and editing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Demonstrated experience working with State-level ministries and Local Government Area government officials.

Success Factors

• Commitment to achieve results in a timely manner.
• Trustworthiness and integrity.
• Committed to humanitarian and development values and principles.
• Strong people-management skills.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Gender equity and protection sensitive.
• Creative solutions to problems.
• S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous 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.