2023-04-09

Assistant Program Officer – Mogadishu, Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia
Posted on April 9, 2023

Mercy Corps

Assistant Program Officer – Mogadishu, Somalia

Vacant Announcement

Position Title: Assistant Program Officer, IRIS-MB-RMP Program

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Position Status: Full time

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Somalia aims to strengthen systems and mechanisms that enable sustainable development, emergency response and peaceful processes through high quality and high impact programming in Somaliland, Puntland, and the South-Central of Somalia. Mercy Corps assists communities in Somalia to transition from crisis to transformative recovery and sustainable development. We currently implement programs that address IDPs’ and returnees’ needs in terms of education, health, conflict mitigation management, livelihoods, and emergency response with an orientation towards early recovery. We aim to expand our programs that strengthen and diversify livelihoods and ensure food security and resilience throughout the country. In our continued response to emergency and disaster, Mercy Corps seeks experienced food security and livelihood Assistant Program Officer for its Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRIS) – (Market Based Resilience for Marginalized Populations -MB-RMP) Activity funded by USAID.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Program Officer is responsible for overall day to day implementation of the planned activity components MC assigned result areas of Livestock, financial services and energy sectors of the IRIS Program (MB-RMP) working under the supervision of the Program Team Lead will be based in Mogadishu to cover and support field activities in Afgoye and Balad districts and will report to Mercy Corps Mogadishu office, The Assistant Program Officer is overall responsible for the day today implementation of the planned activity components in the assigned Program activities. The Assistant Program Officer will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration, and program) in Mogadishu Office and other Mercy Corps field offices to ensure the day-to-day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget, consistency and required quality. The Assistant Program Officer will have to coordinate closely community leaders/community relief committees and local authorities to achieve the program goals and ensure that all activities to be implemented are on demand-driven; and communities mobilized in a participatory way. He/she will have to show full adherence to Mercy Corps procedures, policy and security protocol.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Under the direction and guidance of the PM and in liaison with other program staff, the Assistant Program officer will be responsible to perform the following job functions:

Work collaboratively with other program staff to design criteria for selection of program beneficiaries.
Ensure program activities are implemented in accordance with the approved work plans and with the involvement of partners and concerned stakeholders at all levels.
Ensure that MC and its partners implement program activities in a most efficient, effective and sustainable manner.
Ensure effective and efficient beneficiary mobilization, sensitization and maintain appropriate documentation for the same.
Represent the Mercy Corps in zonal inter-agency/cluster meetings as when delegated.
Establish good working relationship with respective regional/district level MoLFRS offices, respective community relief committees and target communities.
Ensure that field-based monitoring data and information is collected and collated on weekly basis and made available to PM and M&E staff for reporting and monitoring purposes.
Assist the PO’s/technical specialist/PM in the preparation of periodic progress reports on a timely basis for Mercy Corps, donors, government ministries and other stakeholders.
Verify completeness/appropriateness of partners’ reports based on the field visits.
Ensure that good practices and lessons are documented and shared with M&E and finally with the PM for wider circulation.

REPORTING:

Document lessons learned and success stories of the program.
Develop and contribute and submit all required program reports on time.
Coordinate with MEAL team to ensure data quality and timely sharing of data to support reporting cycles.
provide weekly update on Program implementation progress as well as general security context of the area to senior program officer who will report to the senior management including the director of programs.

REPRESENTATION:

Represent Mercy Corps and its values at coordination and partner meetings in area of operation.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall Program targets and donor obligations are met.
Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
Maintain high ethical standards and treated people with respect and dignity.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: IRIS (MB-RMP) Program Team Lead (Program Manager)

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other program staff, finance officers, logistics officers, human resources, and administration Officers.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTICIPANTS:

Support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to program participants as per Sops and guidelines, while actively engaging all communities as equal partners.
Work closely with CARM, Gender, and Human Resources to ensure that accountability issues are incorporated in all work.
Respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all venues.

Skills and Qualifications

MINMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Relevant qualification in the field of livestock of the development for national and international relief and development organization in a similar role, ability to multitask and make decisions, experience in working effectively with minimum supervision.
At least one year of work experience with an NGO in a similar capacity, one operating in the South-Central of Somalia is extremely desirable.
Degree or equivalent in Economics, agricultural economics, livestock, or another relevant field.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in program design and implementation.
Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and keeps to deadlines.
Strong team player and effective communicator.
Willing to interact effectively with international and national personnel and other partners.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

How to apply

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this position and submit their applications (cover letter, updated CV and contacts of 3 professional referees) through https://www.mercycorps.org/careers/national only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“Female candidates are strongly preferred to apply, and the candidate must have a good understanding and experience for the vacant position”

Note: Please be aware that your education certificate and employment background of the last 3 years will be verified by Mercy corps during the recruitment process.

Deadline for Applications: April 15th 2023.

Apply Here

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