OVC - Economic Strengthening Team Leader at MercyCorps

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Economic Strengthening Team Leader will play an important role in the implementation of a proposed five-year program supporting the financial inclusion of vulnerable households. The program will increase both demand and supply leveraging mobile channels, cards, raise awareness among its project participants on the benefits and risks, associated with financial services

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Economic Strengthening Team Leader will lead the implementation of a participative labor market assessment during
the first year of the program. Ensure that sensitization campaigns are carried out.
-Lead the financial education component building the capacity of women and girls in five main areas:

1) Building an understanding of basic principles of good money management;
2) Promoting awareness of personal financial issues and choices;
3) Developing knowledge, skills and behaviors to manage day-to-day expenses,
4) Preparing for life cycle events, setting financial goals, and developing strategies to achieve these; and
5) Introducing the concepts of assets, capital formation, and wealth creation.
    -Engage MIB partner to increase the financial literacy of target participants
    -In coordination with the Microfinance Advisor:
a) Support MFIs and MFBs develop product adapted to the needs of youth and women;
b) Support MFBs extend their rural outreach through mobile technology; and
c) Support MFIs and/or communities develop micro-insurance schemes
Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that targeted individuals have employment and financial options. The Economic
Strengthening Team Leader will work closely with Catholic Relief Services, counterparts with other donor funded
programs, and private sector actors in designing and implementing innovative economic strengthening approaches.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Management and Technical Oversight
• Work closely with counterparts in other NGOs, MFI, MFBs and other stakeholder groups to design, plan, and
implement a comprehensive OVC program.
• Provide technical support in one or more of the following areas: market-driven economic development, private sector
engagement, microfinance, youth-focused financial services, financial education, village savings and loan associations
(VSLA), micro-insurance, entrepreneurship development, and value chain linkages. Manage implementation of
program activities, developing work plans in collaboration with counterparts in other organizations, monitoring
implementation, and evaluating impact.

Position Description
• Oversee the smooth flow of routine project operations in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and
procedures.
• Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and
procedures.

Representation and Coordination
• Liaise with private sector actors, local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local
religious leaders and other notables to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local
partners (banks, training institutes, insurance companies, and microfinance institutions), including representing Mercy
Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Security
• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to ensure that program is contributing to and responding to
safety and security plans and procedures.
• Ensure that program is implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.
Organizational Learning
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending
5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

Accountability to Beneficiaries
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:
This position will manage several short-term consultants.

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:
Country Director, Mercy Corps Nigeria

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:
Mercy Corps Nigeria team, Catholic Relief Services team

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• MA/S in Business, finance, economics, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or related field
• At least 8 years work experience with for profit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO) or for-profit agribusiness working with vulnerable, marginalized groups in West Africa, preferably Nigeria
• Proven knowledge of international best practices of household economic strengthening for OVC and OVC caregivers.
• Proven experience in one or more of the following: market-driven economic development, private sector engagement, microfinance, village savings and loan associations (VSLA), micro-insurance, entrepreneurship development, and value chain linkages.
• Fluency in English required, including report development, writing and editing. Strong desire for applicants with fluency in Hausa.