Job Vacancies at Mercy Corps

The Head of Office provides general management and leadership for all program support functions at the field level for the humanitarian portfolio including operations, finance and security. The Head of Office proactively and informatively communicates and coordinates the program support functions with Mercy Corps staff in state office in Maiduguri ( Borno State) and other field locations ( to be confirmed) in Borno state and Abuja country office. S/he will be responsible for all aspects of operations: procurement, logistics, administration, human resources, and security.

• 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 country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
  

• Oversee the smooth flow of routine program support functions (e.g., finance, administration, logistics) of the Mercy Corps state office and potentially field offices and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Oversee management, supervision and training of all aspects of finance and operations ( procurement, administration, HR, security, logistics) in the state and field offices.
• Ensure that procurement is completed, documented, and delivered to end-user in a timely manner, ensuring that items procured meet the specifications of the end-user while adhering to donor and Mercy Corps procurement guidelines.
• Ensure all aspects of asset management including maintenance of asset register and investigation of missing assets.
• Supervise the management and maintenance of vehicle fleet, office facilities, and equipment, including power supply and internet.
• Oversee database and paper file management for finance and operations; ensure files are complete and in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Mercy Corps’ Abuja and HQ offices on travel and logistics support as required.
• Support program start-up through the administration of support teams across various field locations.
• Create and maintain operations systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
  

• 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.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• 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.

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency operations.

• With the supplier and local government on operational issues as required.

• 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.
• Develop and maintain the security management plans for the area of operation.
• Follow up any developments/changes in regards to the security situation.
• Ensure adequate security coordination with other humanitarian actors in the areas.
• Liaise with the Team Leader and Director of Humanitarian Programs on any degradation in security situation.
  

• 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.

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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:  State & field operations staff, field security staff.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Team Leader, Maiduguri

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field Program staff

• A Bsc or Master’s Degree in relevant field.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant project management experience.
• Sound understanding procurement, administration, and logistics management systems. Basic understanding of financial systems.
• Experience in security management in conflict areas;
• Commitment to local capacity building and team coordination.
• Experience working with host governments and INGOs; familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, and other NGOs.
• Good organizational and management skills and the ability to anticipate project needs.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment, and lead a diverse group of national and international staff. 
• Must be able to strategically advise staff on program and office activities and security issues.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
• Fluent English; Hausa a plus.
  

SUCCESS FACTORS:  

The successful The Head of Office will have proven experience working effectively in emergency contexts. S/he will have strong leadership qualities and will have demonstrated previous experience in building team commitment toward the achievements of program objectives. It will be essential to have experience in setting up systems and procedures in difficult environments, as well as good understanding on what makes systems and procedures work. Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are critical as are an ability to work in remote environments, an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international humanitarian work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles. S/he must have an ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations with patience, tenacity, and a good sense of humor.

The position will be initially based in Maiduguri, Borno state and it requires frequent travel (60%) between field locations in northeast Nigeria and Abuja country office. Considering the frequent travel from/to different field locations, this position will require flexibility in terms of accommodation and logistics. Housing in the field will be in the guesthouse where available and hotels.  Security in the field locations requires additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously.

Access to good medical services in north east is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.

The location is eligible for hardship and R&R benefits. Given the nature of the humanitarian response, working hours require flexibility and working through weekends/evenings might be necessary.

 

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. 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 locations.

The Team Leader will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of humanitarian response programming that includes livelihoods, cash, food, non-food items , wash and shelter interventions for families affected by conflict from both host and displaced communities. The position includes field leadership of humanitarian program, management of daily program activities and staffs, ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results as well as engagement with senior management on the strategic direction of the overall emergency and recovery program. The post holder will represent Mercy Corps on state level humanitarian coordination platforms.

• Oversee program start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities, authorities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria
• Develop and oversee program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution processes and capacity building of partners as needed
• Initiate needs assessments, surveys and other data gathering tools to ensure that Mercy Corps has continued access to updated information and is able to address emerging needs in timely manner
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to achieve the desired impact
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources and timely, accurate and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures
• Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

 

• Lead the program team in implementation of the humanitarian program.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect in which team members strive to achieve excellence
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews
• Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives
• 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.

• Identify, build and manage partnerships on state and local levels with different stakeholders such as state and local government, civil society, UN agencies, peer INGOs, businesses and program participants.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Host and ensure logistic support for donor or other stakeholders field visits

• Recognize and bring forward opportunities for innovative action and create an environment of empowerment, inclusion and participation
• In coordination with management set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development

 

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to humanitarian programming and operations.
• With the support of the Operations Manager ensure adequate operational systems are in place to provide for programs
• Manage humanitarian program budget(s)

 

• Maintains ultimate responsibility for the security and safety of Mercy Corps staff and resources in the field.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership

• Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs

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.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Humanitarian program & support team in Finance and Operations (field)

 

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Humanitarian Programs

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Operations, Finance, Program Managers, TSU team members, and others.

 

• MA or equivalent in relevant field
• 7 – 10 years of field experience in international relief and/or development programs, including demonstrable success in managing humanitarian programs in transitional environments
• Previous working experience in Africa required
• At least 5 years of management, capacity building and field management experience.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country governments, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments
• Proven skills in finance and grants management; prior experience with emergency response grant management for both private and institutional donors desired
• Knowledge of SPHERE and other humanitarian programming standards
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills
• Excellent oral and written English skills
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment
• Fluency in Hausa is a plus

The successful candidate will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps humanitarian program team. S/he 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.

 

The position will be initially based in Maiduguri, Borno state and it requires frequent travel (60%) between field locations in northeast Nigeria and Abuja country office. Considering the frequent travel from/to different field locations, this position will require flexibility in terms of accommodation and logistics. Housing in the field will be in the guesthouse where available and hotels.  Security in the field locations requires additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously.

Access to good medical services in north east is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.

The location is eligible for hardship and R&R benefits. Given the nature of the humanitarian response, working hours require flexibility and working through weekends/evenings might be necessary.

 

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. 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 locations.