Program Support Intern at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing the Addressing Diverse and Acute Primary Threats (ADAPT II) to Human Security and Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability (THRIVE) in Northeastern Nigeria. The goal is to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of displaced, returnee and host households in Borno State which aligns with BHA’s overarching mission statement to “save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters”.

ADAPT II & THRIVE will respond to critical humanitarian needs across Borno state, focusing on Food Security, Nutrition, Shelter, WASH, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Protection, Economic Recovery & Market Systems (ERMS) and Agriculture sectors. The ADAPT II program will cover all of Borno State depending on the humanitarian context while THRIVE will be implemented in Jere LGA. Under ADAPT II, sector by sector focus will be geographically specific where appropriate, with MPCA, Shelter and Settlements, and WASH interventions focused on newly displaced or returnee caseloads across Borno state – with an expected focus on Banki, Monguno, Damasak, Ngala, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa LGAs.

General Position Summary

The Program Support Intern will be based in Abuja from where s/he will be primarily responsible for supporting the Program Director in ensuring the timely implementation of ADAPT II & THRIVE planned program activities. S/he will achieve this by constant facilitation of approval and financial review for all documents sent to Abuja for signing/endorsement by the relevant Senior Management Team members (e.g., Country Director, Director of Programs, Finance Director, etc.).

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Printing of all documents requiring approval and financial review (e.g., Purchase Requests, Activity Budgets, Purchase Orders, Task Orders, Contracts, and MoUs), getting them approved and reviewed on time, and scanning and sending them back to the ADAPT II & THRIVE teams in Maiduguri or the deep field offices.
• Work closely with the Strategic Support Manager and the Operations and Finance teams in Abuja to ensure that program documents’ approval and financial review process is completed as soon as possible.
• Report immediately to the concerned program Director any challenge that is delaying the approval and review of submitted documents.
• Prepare and maintain filing records of all approved and reviewed programs, finance, and operational documents according to MC procedures.
• Coordinate with the Programs and Operations teams in making all arrangements pertaining to ADAPT II & THRIVE meetings and trainings taking place in Abuja.
• Participate regularly in the ADAPT II & THRIVE teams’ biweekly virtual coordination meetings and develop the minutes of meetings.
• Assist the Senior Programs Support Officer in the drafting of monthly reports.
• Shadow some positions, e.g., Administrative Assistant, Procurement Assistant, Finance Assistant, etc., to gain insight into the roles, responsibilities and experiences of some team members and departments.
• 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.

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 programs/projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

  None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Senior Programs Support Officer

Works Directly With: All program teams, Operations, Finance.

Knowledge and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the arts or social sciences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good experience in organizing events, meetings
• Good interpersonal skill (Ability to discuss and engage on issues)
• Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to accurately anticipate program needs.
• Experience working with an NGO would be an added advantage.

SUCCESS FACTORS

• The successful candidate will combine curiosity and a strong willingness to learn in the shortest possible time which will enable the candidate to meet the expectations of this role. The candidate should be equipped with an additional “want-to-do” attitude. S/he will be an effective communicator, self-motivated with dedication towards deliverables and commitment to deliver with limited time and resources. S/he will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable of working with limited direct supervision.
• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, lots of energy, high emotional intelligence, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability 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 at all times and in all in-country venues.

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position will be based in Abuja without plans for travel across the field locations in Borno State.