Job Openings at Mercy Corps

Location: Borno (Remote and Maiduguri, with travel to Dikwa, Damboa, Gwoza, Konduga)

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Location: (Gombe, Biu, Damaturu), Nigeria

Position: Status Full-time, Regular

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0042

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. Mercy Corps is starting a five-year, $30 million USAID-funded Rural Resilience Activity in Nigeria’s northeast. The purpose of the Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) 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.

General Position Summary

The Youth Engagement Officer will be responsible for implementing all aspects of youth integration and engagement strategies aimed at ensuring that interventions result in positive outcomes for male and female participants of different target age groups. S/he will have overall responsibility for building team members’ and partners’ capacity on promising practices to youth-centred. S/he will provide field and office-based support to the Youth Engagement Advisor. S/he will work closely with the technical teams in the implementation of strategies to link youth to informal and formal life skills training, access to services and products, and markets. The position will support the training of staff, the provision of technical assistance; and ensuring that youth engagement strategies are mainstreamed across activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of youth engagement interventions across sectors of the Rural Resilience Activity
• Lead and work with the technical team in the implementation of youth engagement strategies focusing on business and life skills training and mentorship, capacity building and increased participation in markets.
• Participate in youth-led market research to inform program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Work with technical teams including financial services and market systems development to identify the private sector actors to promote, advocate and build capacity on the benefits of engaging youth as clients, suppliers and employees, and effective methods of doing this.
• Work closely with markets and financial services teams to identify and promote sectors, services and products that have a high potential for growth and youth engagement.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Build the capacity of the RRA team and partner organizations’ in youth-friendly market systems development approach.
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party and country leadership.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, private sector partners, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Represent Mercy Corps externally at relevant conferences, workshops and other convenings.

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.

Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervises: none

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Youth Engagement Advisor

Works Directly With: (Deputy) Chief of Party, Program technical specialists/Officers, MEL team, partners, finance and operations teams

Knowledge and Experience

• BA required and Master’s Degree preferred in a related field.
• 3+ years working in designing and delivering youth engagement activities in markets systems, agribusiness and enterprise development
• Ability to foster commitment and build capacity among project team and partners around gender and youth development.
• A clear understanding of contemporary development issues particularly those related to economic opportunities for youth
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills
• Spoken and written proficiency in English;
• Ability to facilitate meetings, effective presenter and open collaborator.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will be results orientated, self-motivated and have demonstrated analytical skills. The ideal candidate will be familiar with market-based agricultural programs targeting youth and will demonstrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity, while also demonstrating skills and ability to provide incentives and capacities for market actors working with youth and offer technical assistance on youth engagement across project partners.

 

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

     All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
    Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
    We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this positio

go to method of application »

Position Description

Location Yola, Nigeria

Position Status Full-time, Exempt, Regular

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0046

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. Mercy Corps is starting a 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 (RRA) 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.

General Position Summary

The Resilience Advisor will be responsible for the technical leadership and guidance on integration of resilience approach across the RRA. S/he will partner closely with technical advisors and program leadership to ensure resilience-thinking supports design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes within and across interventions and supports greater impact. In addition to strengthening technical approaches in resilience, working closely with the CLA Advisor, s/he will be responsible for guiding teams and capturing program successes, failures, and lessons learned and facilitating adaptive management and reflective processes to ensure learning improves programming. S/he will be the technical lead to ensure integration of climate-smart activities and conflict sensitivity across sectors and markets that the RRA is targeting. The position will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results. The selected candidate will play a key role in the research activities of the project and keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions. Working closely with the CLA Advisor s/he will be the point person to lead coordination, collaboration and learning platforms and establish a productive working relationship with other implementers in North-East Nigeria.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical leadership

• Work closely with project leadership and technical team to set capacity-building priorities to ensure integration of resilience approaches into program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Facilitate processes with team members that allow for the integration of resilience approaches to improve sector-based and cross-sectoral programming, and get to impact
• Adapt and develop context and program-specific guidance, tools and training to advance the integration of resilience-thinking and action into program systems
• Coordinate and deliver training workshops and sharing/designing tools and resources that facilitate team capacity-building in resilience.
• Provide technical support and mentoring to technical and sector leads and team members in ensuring high-quality, impactful implementation in resilience, documentation of lessons and taking initiatives to scale.
• Ensure technical compliance with USAID rules and regulations, and adherence to grant agreement
• Ensure quality implementation of Resilience intervention strategies using adaptive management approaches to inform and improve the program.

program quality learning and communication

• Work with MEL and implementing teams embrace the use of a resilience monitoring system, to track resilience outcomes and document lessons learned.
• Work with teams to set and oversee the delivery of research and learning priorities in resilience including measuring resilience at the systems level
• Identify opportunities that can demonstrate evidence and deliver compelling messages on what works best for resilience and NRM.
• Oversee support systems and structures that actively cultivate learning and exchange on resilience approaches team members and partner agencies; serve as technical lead on resilience across partner agencies
• Coordinate the development of high-quality learning products, program briefs and thought pieces articulating and sharing evidence and proxy indicators of success for building resilience
• In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned.
• Coordinate with the CLA Advisor to organize program review and reflection processes to capture learning its use in programming

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party and country leadership.  
• Coordinate activities with the consortium and strategic partners, local government and private sector partners and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

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.

  Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Chief of Party, MEL Team, Markets and Livelihoods Specialist, Program Team, Technical Advisors, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, Partner Organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S or equivalent experience in agriculture, environmental management, social science, governance or other relevant field required.
• Minimum five years of relevant technical experience and experience in program management, design, monitoring and evaluation, with proven ability to coordinate and manage diverse, complex initiatives.
• Thorough understanding of resilience thinking and systems approaches to development, natural resource management and conflict sensitivity approaches is required. Good understanding of food security, youth, urbanization, market systems development, and environmental programs is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate processes to use research and M&E to improve program learning and adaptive management.
• Strong representation, networking and facilitation skills. Proven ability to synthesize and communicate complex subjects/topics effectively to multi-stakeholder groups.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a diverse, geographically spread team.

Success Factors

The successful Resilience Advisor will be an intrepid relationship manager skilled at working across teams to achieve results. S/he will be conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment and commitment to integrity. S/he will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required. The successful Advisor will have a sincere interest to see big-picture trends through various systems lenses and roll up his/her sleeves to put theory into practice in fieldwork.  Finally, s/he will have an ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles through innovative capacity building and facilitative techniques.

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

go to method of application »

Position Description

Location Northeastern (Yola, Damaturu, Gombe and Biu) Nigeria

Position Status Full-time, Exempt, Regular

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0045

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 Mercy Corps is starting a $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.

General Position Summary

The Market Systems and Livelihoods Officer will be responsible for implementing all aspects of the market systems development and livelihoods interventions of the Rural Resilience activity. This position holder will be required to apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches to catalyze innovative services, facilitate and manage relevant market linkages between market actors in areas targeted by the project. S/he will provide field and office-based support to the Market Systems Development and Livelihoods Specialist. The position will support the training of staff, the provision of technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities. S/he will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of teamwork plans and the successful implementation of livelihoods and market systems development activities, ensuring timely implementation of work plan activities and identification of target groups within the approved budget, and the achievement of program deliverables for the desired impact.
• Support the provision of technical guidance on livelihoods and market systems development and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Support the MSD & Livelihoods Specialist to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles.
• Collaborate closely with and support the MSD & Livelihoods Specialist, Financial Services Specialist and Investment Fund Manager to manage the Grant Facility aspect of the program to catalyze new investment in viable economic opportunities (market systems, livelihoods, agribusiness, and employment) through grants that stimulate, rather than distort market development and avoid exacerbating conflict dynamics.
• Support the conduct and/or update of market assessments, involving direct stakeholders as well as public and private sector actors working within the target value chains and market systems.
• Support the integration of community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate while ensuring that all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Support the management of relationships and coordination with local implementing partners.
• Actively support planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
• In coordination with the MEL team, support the implementation of monitoring activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact, actively supporting the documentation of approaches, successes and lessons learned.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

Other duties as assigned.

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Market Systems Development and Livelihoods Specialists and program leadership.

Support in the coordination of activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country and program leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its mission.

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

None, exact positions to be determined

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Market Systems Development and Livelihoods Specialist

Works Directly With: Program Leadership, Technical Advisors, Finance and Operations teams, Partner Organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, economics, or business administration; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects focused on market systems and livelihood development, with a solid understanding of context including gender and youth issues
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government, community-based organizations, and the private sector;
• Technical experience in market system development approach to development
• Experience with supporting assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills and report writing
• Excellent oral, written and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors

The successful Market Systems and Livelihood Officer will be familiar with supporting the management of facilitation-based interventions and the particular challenges of market systems development in Nigeria. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for inclusive market development to promote sustainable livelihoods. S/he will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

go to method of application »

Location: Yola, Nigeria

Position: Status Full-time, Regular

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0044

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. Mercy Corps is starting a five-year, $30 million USAID-funded Rural Resilience Activity in Nigeria’s northeast. The purpose of the Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) 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.

General Position Summary

The Youth Engagement Advisor will be responsible for the technical leadership in the implementation of youth integration and engagement strategies aimed at ensuring that interventions result in positive outcomes for male and female participants of different target age groups. S/he will have overall responsibility for building team members’ and partners’ capacity to think through and use USAID’s PYD Framework and promising practices to youth in programming and impacted meaningfully.

The Advisor will ensure youth involvement in implementation and provide technical advice on youth engagement across all elements of the RRA. S/he will work closely with the MEL and research teams of the project to provide technical design and implementation strategies to link youth to informal and formal life skills training, access to services and products, and markets. The Advisor will work closely with project leadership and technical teams to ensure meaningful youth engagement and benefits from the markets and sectors that the RRA is promoting. The advisor will be the lead in building the capacity of the project team and partners through training. S/he will be a key member of the technical leadership team working closely on the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions so that needs of youth are addressed in a meaningful way.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Organize and conduct a youth analysis during the inception phases of RRA and serve as the lead for any RRA related youth assessments; including the analysis and interpretation of sex- and age-disaggregated data.
• Develop youth integration and engagement/empowerment strategies, oversee the implementation of these strategies and adapt and improve them as needed.
• Work closely with the relevant technical teams, partners and stakeholders to develop strategies for youth participation in sectors and investments that RRA is promoting.
• Work closely with the M&E team on youth integration and analysis tools. Explore opportunities for youth to engage in data collection and interpretation to inform activity design and adaptation. Also, work with the M&E team to ensure sex- and age-disaggregated data is collected and analyzed. Make recommendations based on assessment findings and regular monitoring to inform program strategies to better meet the needs of young male and female.

Program Management

• Ensure meaningful youth involvement and provide technical advice on youth engagement across the Rural Resilience Activity
• Work with RRA technical teams to ensure mechanisms and platforms are in place to effectively reach and impact youth though business and life skills training and mentorship, capacity building and increased participation in markets.
• Undertake youth-led market research to inform program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Work with technical teams including financial services and market systems development to identify the private sector actors to promote, advocate and build capacity on the benefits of engaging youth as clients, suppliers and employees, and effective methods of doing this.
• Work closely with markets and financial services teams to identify and promote sectors, services and products that have a high potential for growth and youth engagement.
• Support the RRA research and MEL components to add to the body of knowledge on viable models that support resilient features for youth and secure employment and self-employment.

Team Management

• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives. Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to Youth Officers
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Build the capacity of the RRA team and partner organizations’ in youth-friendly market systems development approach.

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party and country leadership.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, private sector partners, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Represent Mercy Corps externally at relevant conferences, workshops and other convenings

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.

Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supervises: Youth Officers (3)

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Chief of Party, Program technical specialists, MEL Manager, Country Program Development and Quality Director, and Country MEL Manager

Knowledge and Experience

• BA required and Master’s Degree preferred in a related field.
• 5+ years working in designing and delivering youth engagement activities in markets systems, agribusiness and enterprise development
• Ability to foster commitment and build capacity among project team and partners around gender and youth development.
• A clear understanding of contemporary development issues particularly those related to economic opportunities for youth
• Sound knowledge of personal development issues related to youth
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills
• Experience of working in consortium multiple organizational partnerships
• Experience with Monitoring and Evaluation systems and research
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Spoken and written proficiency in English;
• Ability to facilitate meetings, effective presenter and open collaborator.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will be results orientated, self-motivated and have demonstrated analytical skills. The ideal candidate will be familiar with market-based agricultural programs targeting youth and will demonstrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity, while also demonstrating skills and ability to provide incentives and capacities for market actors working with youth and offer technical assistance on youth engagement across project partners. The advisor must take a lead role in building and maintaining external relationships as well as demonstrating the drive and initiative to contribute to internal team efforts.

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

go to method of application »

Location Northeastern (Adamawa, Biu, Yola, Gombe) Nigeria

Position Status Full-time, Exempt, Regular

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0043

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. Mercy Corps is starting a 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.

General Position Summary

The Financial Services Officer will be responsible for the implementation of all activities related to increasing access to financial services under the Rural Resilience activity. S/he will support in defining implementation strategies in coordination with the Financial Services Specialist and other sector-specific leadership teams for context-specific approaches to increase access to formal and informal finance and financial services, particularly for marginalized groups. The position will support the training of staff, the provision of technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities. S/he will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results. The selected candidate will keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of financial services and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management

• Support the implementation of teamwork plans and the successful implementation of financial services activities, ensuring timely implementation of work plan activities and identification of target groups within the approved budget, and the achievement of program deliverables for the desired impact.
• Support in the provision of technical guidance on increasing access to financial services and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Support the Financial Services Specialist to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles.
• Collaborate closely with the Financial Services Specialist and Investment Fund Manager by contributing to decisions around the use of the Grant Facility aspect of the program to catalyze new investment in viable economic opportunities (market systems, livelihoods, agribusiness, and employment) through grants that stimulate, rather than distort market development and avoid exacerbating conflict dynamics.
• Support the conduct and/or update of assessments to map existing financial services, involving direct stakeholders as well as public and private sector actors working within the target areas.
• Support the integration of community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate while ensuring that all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Support the management of relationships and coordination with local implementing partners.
• Actively support planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
• In coordination with the MEL team, support the implementation of monitoring activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact, actively supporting the documentation of approaches, successes and lessons learned.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

Other duties as assigned.

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Financial Services Specialists and program leadership.
• Support in the coordination of activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country and program leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its mission.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None, exact positions to be determined

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Financial Services Specialist

Works Directly With: Program Leadership, Technical Advisors, Finance and Operations teams, Partner Organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in finance, accounting, economics, business administration or related fields
• Minimum of (3) years of demonstrated experience with USG or other similar development projects focused on financial services, including credit, savings, insurance, payment systems, and remittance services, preferably with an understanding of the formal and informal financial services context in Nigeria;
• Spoken and written proficiency in English and Hausa;
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government, donors, cooperatives, community-based organizations, and the private sector; and
• Expertise in promoting financial services for the poor, including savings, credit, insurance, e-payments, and new product development tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Experience with supporting assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral, written and computer skills

Success Factors

The successful Financial Services Officer will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for access to financial services to promote sustainable livelihoods. S/he will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position

go to method of application »

Reference Number: ABV/PRO/2019/0041

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. Mercy Corps is starting a five-year, $30 million USAID-funded Rural Resilience Activity in Nigeria’s northeast. The purpose of the Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) 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.

General Position Summary

The T4D (Technology for Development) Advisor will be responsible for the technical leadership, expert support, and capacity building aspects of the technology of the Rural Resilience Activity and team. S/he will closely work with the (Deputy) Chief of Party and program leadership team to in developing and implementing strategies for the use of technology in project activities, management systems, and monitoring evaluation and learning.  The T4D advisor is an advocate and conduit for the adoption and use of digital technology within the program.

The advisor is responsible for leading the way in digital inclusion and building capacities of teams to have full engagement in pursuing tech-based services to project participants including but not limited to financial services, agricultural advisory services, market linkages etc.  S/he will be an innovative outside the box thinker in championing technology in the project where every team member and project participant is an ‘applied technologist’, comfortable experimenting with and using ICTs in their program work.  Ultimately, the role will drive Rural Resilience Activity’s work to maximize the use of digital technology for greater impact. The advisor ensures the tech proposed mechanism is fit for purpose, runs smoothly, and promotes staff awareness and engagement. S/he will be responsible in the design of project interventions, partnership development, representation of the project and Mercy Corps in key technology forums and events, and staying current on industry innovation and best practices.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Provide technology-related advice and guidance to the RRA Activity team in the development and execution of project activities.
• Develop and maintain an understanding technology requirements and opportunities that can be adapted/contextualized for application across interventions under the RRA, and support (Deputy) CoP and other technical areas within the program in relation to these requirements and opportunities"
• Lead in developing an ICT4D strategy of the RRA.
• Advise project management on current and leading technology and the potential benefits.
• Assist in, or lead the design of, new technology applications and their associated models for sustainability and scalability where possible.

Program Management

• Work closely with thematic area leads including financial services, market systems, youth, resilience, and MEL to ensure the use of the right technologies for greater impact.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Program Management at Mercy Corps (PM@MC) and other relevant principles, values, quality standards and strategy.
• Take leadership in identifying and addressing program quality needs. Collaborate with theme leads and program leadership to solve problems.
• Co-design and co-implement technical solutions with RRA teams
• Working with program leadership and field teams to design and implement advanced and innovative technological solutions to key problems.
• Manage and/or coordinate with local implementing partners.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
• Lead relevant T4D related communications with key program stakeholders and implementing partners, and work to drive strong, open and sustained communication channels throughout the function

Team Management

• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• leading any technology-related procurement processes with service Integrators, service providers, and/or technology partner
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Maintain accurate knowledge of the grant/funding status at the end of each month, making recommendations to adjust as necessary, but overall ensure Mercy Corps accurate budget compliance.

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party and country leadership.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, private sector partners, tech service providers, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Represent Mercy Corps externally at relevant conferences, workshops and other convenings.
• Develop strategic technology partnerships, bring external ICT4D resources and innovations into the project.
• Influencing, negotiating, providing technical information to a non-technical audience

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.

Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Deputy Chief of Party, Program technical specialists, MEL Manager, Country Program Development and Quality Director, Country MEL Manager, IT team, Global T4D team 

Knowledge and Experience

• BA required and Master’s Degree preferred in a related field.
• 5+ years working in development or related field OR 4+ years’ experience were combined with an advanced degree.
• 3+ years’ experience in technology, project management, and related business; increasing levels of responsibilities preferred.
• Experience developing nascent technology concepts and moving them into implementation.
• Knowledge of user experience design methodologies would be advantageous but not essential.
• Experience in program measurement, fluency in GIS systems, analysis and recommendations/arguments.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Spoken and written proficiency in English;
• Ability to facilitate meetings, effective presenter and open collaborator.

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will be able to recognize promising concepts and lead their development into full-fledged technology implementations at scale. The advisor must take a lead role in building and maintaining external relationships as well as demonstrating the drive and initiative to contribute to internal team efforts. S/he will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Method of Application

Applicants should their CVs and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements, reference number and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

All applications must include the position title and reference number in the subject line
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
We are an equal employment opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position