Latest Job Vacancies at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Program/Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has worked in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls’ empowerment, humanitarian programming, economic development and conflict mitigation.
• The ENGINE project is the flagship education project under the adolescent girls and gender programming in Mercy Corps. In recent time, other gender-focused projects like Always Keeping Girls in School (AKGIS) funded by Procter & Gamble and ECOSAT (direct funding) have been joined to the existing gender programming portfolio.

Rationale

• Fundamental to Mercy Corps programmatic approach to improving adaptive learning process is the practice of conducting frequent research and analysis to better understand the dynamics of these interventions or other contextual environment will shape programming and continuous learning to inform evidence-based decisions.
• The AKGIS project has completed nearly all its planned activities over the project lifecycle and expected to conduct an impact assessment to assess the results attributable to the project and also inform future programming. Relatedly, the ECOSAT program still in its inception phase is planning a baseline assessment (evaluation) prior to launching the intensive phase. These projects will necessitate the frequent commissioning of series of quantitative and qualitative research expected to cover a range of related activities including;
  • Household or individual surveys (baseline, midterm and or endline)
  • Participants registrations and mapping/profiling exercises
  • Ad-hoc assessments of key interventions (e.g pilots)
• To reduce the need for recurrent recruitment process to engage the needed enumerators, the ENGINE II (MEL Team) is seeking to develop a pool of ready-to-go-to personnel for the various research-related activities. These research activities will use numerous techniques including structured survey questionnaires for individuals, businesses and institutions, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and other appropriate project-specific methodologies.

Objective of the Assignment:

• The overarching objective of these enumerators selection is to generate a labor pool which can be drawn upon to provide suitable, on-demand field enumerators primarily responsible for the acquisition and entry of qualitative/quantitative field data using mobile platforms (e.g. TolaData or CommCare).
• The enumerators will have direct contact with respondents and have a great bearing on the quality of data collected and ultimately on the quality of data output.
• Different criteria including but not limited to; experience in research and/or data collection, knowledge in certain technical areas, contextual understanding and familiarity with local language of defined data collection area would be important steps in selection of enumerators for any assignment.

Role
The enumerators will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

• Responsible for collecting high quality data, entering data and any other responsibilities. Data collection process will include interviews, focus group discussions (FDGs) using an electronic data collection tool designed by Mercy Corps.
• Transcribe and code data from qualitative researches
• Identify and report any issues that may arise while attempting to obtain valid data
• Interpret interview questions to assist respondents in understanding them and providing eloquent answers
• Double check information on survey forms or information pads to ensure the accuracy of information
• Engage in data entry in cases where paper base options are used
• Comply with quality and research ethics during and field works (this includes data protection and information confidentiality of respondents or target project participants)
• Participate in a less than or half day debrief sessions to share field experiences about the community and entire data collection process
• Enumerators are expected to be respectful of the community and community leadership and membership at all times.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Enumerator should have a minimum of an NCE/Diploma
• The enumerator should have basic ICT skills
• Enumerator should have basic assessment skills in data collection, preferably in mobile data collection
• Enumerator must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English language and possess ability to communicate in local language in the community (preferably Yoruba and/or Hausa)
• Enumerator must have good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Previous experience and working understanding of selected communities is an added advantage.
• Must be flexible to work and available to respond to comments and questions in a timely and appropriate manner.
• High regard for cultural norms and traditions.
• Demonstrate patience and good leadership skills.
• Willing to learn new things and have a volunteering spirit.

Note: Female candidates will be considered strongly to reflect gender mainstreaming as practiced in Mercy Corps.

Timeframe/schedule:

• The engagement of enumerators will be need-based and dependent on the timeframe required for each assignment as indicated in the RFP.

Accountability:

• Reports directly to: MEL Advisor
• Works directly with: ENGINE Program (MEL Team)

 

Applicants should submit their CV and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org All applications must include the position title and location in the subject line.

Note: Only short-listed candidates with the appropriate subject line will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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Program / Department Summary

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and its influence spreads across the continent. Yet, inequality and insecurity have consistently undermined Nigeria's development. Mercy Corps Nigeria was established in 2012 to respond to these challenges. The Nigeria team is headquartered in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with offices throughout Nigeria. With a strong and growing team of over 200 staff, Mercy Corps is currently serving over 600,000 beneficiaries across the country with programming in Lagos in the South; Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau in the Middle Belt; Kano, Yobe and Borno in the North. Programs include girls’ education and financial inclusion, community peacebuilding, market-based livelihoods and a multi-sector humanitarian response that has a strong emphasis on WASH, Shelter, Cash and Protection. With the vision of a Nigeria in which all people are empowered, engaged, resilient and secure, Mercy Corps Nigeria focuses on the root causes of conflict, governance, humanitarian response, and market systems development.

Working with a diverse funding base that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), UK Department for International Development (DFID), United Nations (UN), European Commission (EC), European Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO), Global Affairs Canada (FKA DFATD), and several foundations, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. In 2019, Mercy Corps intends to pursue the five-year, $30 million USAID-funded Rural Resilience Activity in Nigeria’s northeast. The purpose of the Rural Resilience Activity is to sustainably move people out of chronic vulnerability and poverty. The Rural Resilience activity will enable individuals and communities to engage in strong and sustainable market systems rather than continuing to rely on humanitarian assistance, and faltering with each new shock. To achieve this purpose, the Activity will have four components and four cross cutting elements:

• Component 1: Provide up-to-date evidence for selection of market systems, livelihoods and employment opportunities that contribute to inclusive and resilient growth and improved nutrition.
• Component 2: Stimulate market systems growth and diverse economic opportunities (Pull activities).
• Component 3: Build capacity to take advantage of market systems opportunities (Push activities).
• Component 4: Sequencing, layering, integrating (SLI), and collaborative learning to improve activity effectiveness, sustainability, and scale.

General Position Summary

The Deputy Chief of Party (D/COP) will support the COP in managing and leading the Rural Resilience Activity. The D/COP will assist the COP in program oversight, and directly manage the technical, administrative, operational, and logistical aspects of the program. The D/COP will work closely with different departments and support functions to ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability. The D/COP will also work directly with partner agencies both national and international to achieve objectives of the program.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Provide leadership and strategic vision to the technical components of the program including workplan development, market analysis, partnership selection and management, and overall sector strategy.
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.
• Oversee performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Assist COP with the development of a program-wide resilience-building framework to guide coordination and integrated implementation.

Program Management

• Oversee program start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work- plans, and ensure the delivery of the same.
• Lead the socialization of the program with Government of Nigeria stakeholders, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantee(s).
• Document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting activity adjustments in keeping with new insights.
• Produce written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities.
• Oversee efforts to design effective M&E systems for the program, and linkages with internal M&E systems.
• Create and follow effective stakeholder management plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Nigeria, partner organizations, Mercy Corps headquarters, USAID, Government of Nigeria authorities, and colleague agencies.
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites - spend up to 50% of time in the field.

PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS

• Coordinate with program, finance and administration/logistics staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.
• Propose design of new local policies as needed and in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

• Facilitate the achievement of performance-based targets and outcomes and lead efforts to design effective, proactive, and iterative M&E systems following the program's logical framework and results chain measurement.
• Oversee the scope of work, deliverables and overall quality of work of any internal or external evaluation or research partners.
• Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure program data and analysis is used for learning by holding and leading semi-annual program workshops with all program partners.
• Document achievements/impact of innovative program components of the program.
• Ensure that M&E and all team members together focus on assisting the program to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program analysis and decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level

CAPACITY BUILDING AND MENTORING

• In close partnership with the COP, create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
• Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same in a timely manner.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision making processes

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COORDINATION

• Active contributor and collaborator with regional and global counterparts to promote the use of best practices.
• Strengthen linkages with other internal resources, including Digital Library, Hub, and Workplace, to enhance organizational learning where relevant to M&E. 
• Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other relevant international NGOs, and local NGOs and associations in Nigeria.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members. 
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

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

National and international team members working on the program, as well as partnerships with international and national program partners. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Program, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, and Partner Organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, economics, or business administration;
• Demonstrated expertise and a minimum of five (5) years of Deputy Chief of Party experience in managing large to medium (preferably $10 million and above) livelihood, agricultural development activities with knowledge of resilience programming and the African context preferred;
• At least three (3) years of field-based work in a conflict-prone and/or active insurgency environment;
• Strong technical experience in market system approach to development;
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across activities utilizing strong communication and interpersonal skills, with evidence of the ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, other activities, NGOs); and
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (proficiency in English).

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The D/CoP is based in the Northeast of Nigeria with the final location to be determined according to the program design. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision.  Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.