Job Opportunities at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary 

The Mercy Corps Subaward Unit is responsible for managing the programmatic, financial and operational aspects of sub-awards issued under all programs across Mercy Corps Nigeria. Working with an increasingly wide and diverse set of local and international partners at all levels of public, private and civil society, there is a need to strengthen programmatic and financial support to partners to enable more robust growth and development of sub-grantees. Compliance with the donor regulations and Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures is a critical part of the capacity-building process and essential to enable sub-grantees to develop strong systems that will help in the delivery of programmatic interventions.

General Position Summary

Working directly under the direction of the Senior Subaward & Compliance Officer, the Sub-awards & Compliance Assistant will dedicate full time to supporting the Rural Resilience Activity – Enterprise Innovation Fund in adhering to the compliance procedures relating to finance, sub-awards, etc. The Sub-awards & Compliance Assistant in close coordination with the Program Lead, will be responsible for archiving, monitoring sub-grants and ensuring adequate internal controls are in place to mitigate risks in compliance with laws, regulations, donor requirements and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Sub Grants:

• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donors regulations related to sub-granting, including issuance, management and monitoring of sub-awards.
• Set up physical grant files and ensure all grant documents are properly filed, both financial and program reports.
• Prepare sub-award JE and enter same on navigator for subgrantee liquidations.
• Review subgrantee financial reports for correctness and completeness and ensure that reports are submitted on time
• Coordinate with the Mercy Corps programs team on the technical assessment component of the potential sub-grant and include in the pre-award survey.
• Carry out pre-award assessment of potential subrecipients
• In close coordination with Program Managers and Senior Subaward & compliance officer, develop capacity-building plans based on identified areas of improvement and help partners achieve that plan.
• Support in preparing for sub-grants kickoff meetings and sub-grants closeout meetings with close coordination with Senior Sub-awards and Compliance Officer.
• Ensure sub-grant files are complete and up to date as per the MC sub-grant file checklist and MC Programme Management minimum standards.
• Update Reporting Tracker and follow up with partners for submission and timely report.
• Proactively lead logistic support to the sub-award and program team.
• Ensure subgrant files are complete and up to date as per MC subgrant files sub grant files checklist and MC Program Management Minimum Standard.

Strategy & Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

Team Management 

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members and sub-awardees with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations 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

NA

Accountability
Reports Directly to: Senior Sub-Awards & Compliance Officer based in Abuja.
Works Directly with: Program and operational teams, finance and sub-award teams in Abuja and across RRA intervention States.

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience with USAID awards reporting is preferred.
• A university degree in finance, accounting or equivalent is required.
• Two years of experience in the Subaward & compliance Department of an international NGO is preferred.
• Demonstrated competency with computerized general ledger software.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Experience in archiving and documentation is an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

In particular, the successful candidate will be willing to travel to locations within Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe States and the LGAs outside the state capitals according to the needs of the Mercy Corps program. This will mean sometimes staying and working in stressful environments with very basic living conditions, strictly following security protocols at all times and sometimes working long and irregular hours).

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.

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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.

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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. 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.

In 2021, Mercy Corps intends to pursue water and sanitation programming with an anticipated USAID-funded project. The program involves designing, rehabilitating, extending, and constructing WASH infrastructure. This position is contingent on funding.

General Position Summary

The Water Engineer will organize activities related to the implementation of water infrastructure, from design to implementation, including logistics and monitoring. Responsible for the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all WASH program activities and associated administrative tasks. Supervises all water and sanitation engineering contractors in order to effectively implement planned projects. Manages all administration and security of MC engineering activities in the assigned district. S/he will have to show full adherence to MC security protocols.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop and maintain good relationships and lines of communication with relevant local authorities and communities, explaining MC’s role as an NGO and liaising with them during all phases of the project.
• Guarantee community involvement at all phases of the project (identification, design, implementation, and monitoring) to ensure the development of community ownership for the projects.
• Develop plans for the implementation of the water and sanitation engineering projects in the assigned district. This should include planned delegation of responsibility to appropriate staff, plans and rationale for projects (including technical designs), plans for material and cash needs over the course of the project, and work schedules (timelines) for the various phases of the project.
• Prior to the commencement of project implementation, complete a standard Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with community representatives and local authorities for each community identified for project activities. Ensure that all elements of MoU are adhered to. Report any problems relating to the MoUs.
• Implement projects as planned according to developed technical standards, schedules, and timelines. Ensure correct surface engineering around the well to allow for the correct drainage of excess water using soak-away pits and aprons.
• Keep detailed technical records for every site.
• Report any variations or problems with the implementation of projects (in regards to staffing, costs, schedules, and technical matters). Where necessary, regularly update project implementation plans with associated timelines.
• Ensure full adherence to the MC security plans and protocols conscientiously respecting the declared ‘go and no-go’ zones ensuring that staff respects them.
• Supervise the procurement of any materials needed through a competitive and transparent bidding process following the MC policies designed for this purpose.
• Organize competitive bidding processes to select the most qualified and cost-effective contractors and manage the contracts, certifying the quality of the works performed.
• Coordinate with local authorities to obtain all licenses needed.
• Provide feedback to the Monitoring and Evaluation system in order to assess the effectiveness of the projects and impact and propose recommendations for improvements.
• Provide regular written and verbal reports to the Chief of Party and Project Manager on infrastructure development activity.
• Organize site visits to the project sites and hostess missions/consultants.

SECURITY

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

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.
• 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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager
Works Directly With: Small Town WASH COP, DCOP, Director of Finance and Administration, Country Director, Finance, and Operations teams, M&E Officer, and other Small Town WASH staff. Coordinates with HQ Program Performance team and the Technical Support

Knowledge and Experience

• A BSc or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Water Treatment Technologies or related field.
• 5-10 years of management of development programs including infrastructure rehabilitation and supervision projects.
• Knowledge of the issues and challenges of the water and sanitation sector in Nigeria
• Experience in preparing and reviewing water utility infrastructure tender documents including design specifications, technical drawings, and Bill of Quantities (BOQs)
• Ability to conduct investigations of complex issues involving water utility systems and practices
• Good knowledge of water utility Asset Maintenance Management Systems
• Experience in preparing persuasive technical reports and making verbal presentations, explaining issues in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to innovate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a utility
• Experience working with computer software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, design packages, and other applications relevant to the sector.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful WASH Utility Engineer will combine strong interpersonal, engineering and project management skills with a highly collaborative and program-focused approach and be experienced in maintaining stakeholder relationships. She/he will have an outstanding ability to recognize potential challenges and then develop, promote consensus and manage solutions within the implementation of the program. She/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail whilst maintaining budget and schedule and a strategic vision are essential.