Livestock Specialist – Mogadishu, Somalia

Mercy Corps

Livestock Specialist – Mogadishu, Somalia

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position Title: Livestock Specialist
Duty Station: Mogadishu (with support to other country offices- Roaming on need basis)
Position Category:   Full-time

 About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

 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, i.e. all over Somalia. Mercy Corps assists communities in Somalia to transition from crisis to transformative recovery and sustainable development. We currently implement programs that address IDP 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 Livestock Specialist for its Somalia Emergency Assistance and Early Market Recovery Program (SEAM II), funded by the USAID/BHA.

Describe an overview of job mission

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Livestock Specialist is overall responsible for the day to day implementation of the planned activity components under the livestock Sector, particularly the livestock related activities in the SEAM II Program working under the supervision of the Program Manager The Livestock Specialist will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Mogadishu and other Mercy Corps field offices to ensure the day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality. S/he will have to coordinate closely with the different clusters, i.e. Food Security, Protection and Health/Nutrition Clusters. Similarly, the Livestock Specialist will closely coordinate with the Local Administration, the IDP and host community leaders, and other key program stakeholders to achieve the program goals and ensure that all activities to be implemented on demand-driven; and communities mobilized in a participatory way. S/he will have to show full adherence to Mercy Corps procedures, policy and security protocols.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Conduct periodic need assessment and prepare activity papers and documentations
  2. Maintain close working relationship with local authorities, INGOs and Local NGOs
  3. Foster a collaborative team atmosphere which engages the stakeholders.
  4. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission
  5. Adhere to MC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
  6. Assist with the implementation of the SEAM II Program – Livestock Sector and other program portfolios according to plan of action
  7. Prepare and develop status reports as required by management and supervisor in the area of duty station
  8. Ensure proper filing of documents
  9. Representations at cluster meetings at the field level.
  10. Promote and share ideas for improvement of the program unit
  11. Field data information and data collection to inform program design and planning
  12. Support the implementation of the activities under the AFS Sector, particularly the livestock related activities in SEAM Program.
  13. Document good practices and lessons, testimonies and stories for program learning from field visits, surveys and assessments that have been done
  14. Work with all MC staff to compile all program related documentations for SEAM Program coverage areas in the South-Central of Somalia as may be required from time to time.
  15. Perform any other assigned duty by Mercy Corps Somalia.
STRATEGY & VISION
  • Review existing program strategies and approaches based on changing contexts. Work with Program Manager to ensure linkages with other sector strategies (NFI, Food Security, Livelihoods, WASH and Protection)
  • Design viable strategies that are both respectful with the local culture and sensitive towards the population.
IMPLEMENTATION AND PROGRAM COORDINATION
  • Work with MEAL Team (Officers and Manager) to develop needs assessment tools and strategies, and train and supervise staff through field surveys and assessments.
  • Contribute to building the capacity of Mercy Corps staff, as well as project stakeholders.
  • Develop project work plans related to livestock with HQ Technical Support Unit (TSU) as needed; communicate to Program Manager.
  • Ensure the tracking, monitoring and quality reporting of all livestock interventions.
  • Complete budget pipeline planning, monitoring and monthly follow up in coordination with the Program Manager.
  • Supervise and monitor the implementation of livestock activities, together with other program team members, ensuring that all activities are compliant with the grant and Mercy Corps requirements. Prepare subsequent reports.
  • Work with Program Manager and Director of Programs to identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, and other stakeholders.
PROGRAM IMPACT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
  • Prepare procurement plans based on project cycle for livestock and animal health works; ensure all PRs are accurately prepared and submitted on time.
  • Manage grant budget lines related to technical area of specialization (livestock and animal health), including preparation of monthly projections.
  • Work with MEL Unit to measure outcome indicators and outputs to determine the success of interventions.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
  • Provide 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.
  • Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
DESIGN AND PLANNING
  • Lead livestock and animal health aspects of technical assessments in coordination with other thematic areas and/or other external sector agencies.
  • Revise work plans in conjunction with Livestock Specialist under the oversight of the Program Manager.
  • Ensure provision of program quality in all aspects of design, planning, and implementation of livestock interventions
  • Contribute to the identification and design of additional opportunities for short, medium and long-term programming.
  • Contribute to the design of new proposals based on sectoral and general knowledge.
  • Collaborate with finance to develop budgets for livestock related work.
  • Prepare bi-weekly, quarterly and interim donor reports for relevant activities under the guidance of the Reporting & Program Development Officer and Program Manager.
  • Maintain and coordinate reporting and documentation of livestock activities.
  • Fulfil Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
  • Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Program officers and livestock and Animal Health team on technical related works.

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager 

Works Directly with: Other Sector Specialists, Reporting & Program Development Officer, Team lead, Program Manager, Sector Leaders, MEL Unit, HQ AFS TSU, Program Operations, Director of Programs, and Finance

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Veterinary Medicine or related field.
  • 5 years in a relief setting with livestock and animal health management or managerial experience; from starting up programs to working in emergency and transitional contexts.
  • Experience in complex and complicated settings with time sensitive deliverables in unstable environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
  • Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
  • Training in humanitarian response preferred.
  • Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
  • Knowledge of participatory approaches and community sensitization and mobilization.
  • Good knowledge of program implementation, monitoring and evaluation techniques and practices.
  • Good knowledge and experience regarding gender mainstreaming.
  • Good computer applications skills.
  • Knowledge of M&E and the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
  • Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
  • Experience in planning and managing surveys.
  • Experience in developing and refining data collection tools.
  • Experience in managing and providing training to partners and target beneficiaries.
  • Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders including host governments, and national and international NGOs.
  • Excellent oral and written English skills required.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

  1. Commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in program design and implementation.
  2. Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and keeps to deadlines.
  3. Knowledge and understanding of the Somali people’s culture and political set up.
  4. Strong team player and effective communicator.
  5. Willing to interact effectively with international and national personnel and other partners.

Application Procedure:

All interested candidates both internally and externally 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.

Mercy Corps is committed to protecting beneficiaries within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and any kind of misconduct. Mercy Corps has specific policies, including PSEA and Child Protection, which outlines the expected behavior and the responsibility of all staff, beneficiaries, consultants and other stakeholders and has zero tolerance towards misconducts. Any candidate offered a job with A Mercy Corps will be expected to sign organizational Policies and Code of Conduct as Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Deadline for Applications: 12 July, 2021.

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