🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ Mercy Corps Nigeria – 7 Positions

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.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Agriculture and Livestock Program Officer (Gwoza)
2.) Agriculture and Livestock Program Officer (Dikwa)
3.) Agriculture and Livestock Senior Program Officer
4.) Strategic Learning Specialist
5.) Senior Sub-Award & Compliance Officer
6.) Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and Communications Manager
7.) Learning and Communications Assistant

Job Title: Agriculture and Livestock Program Officer

Requisition Number: AGRIC003829
Location: Gwoza, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Programming

Program / Department Summary

• The Agriculture/ Livestock Program Officer will be based in Gwoza to support the planned agriculture activities in the USAID-BHA funded BEGE program (Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts in Borno) in Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza LGA, Borno State. It is a 24-month program implemented by a consortium led by Mercy Corps and will provide context-specific humanitarian assistance. The Program will deliver a multi-sectoral emergency and recovery package targeting Gwoza, Dikwa and Damboa LGAs. Mercy Corps has an established presence in all LGAs and will be delivering food, WASH, protection, nutrition, shelter/non-food item, and agriculture support over the course of 24 months.
• To complement the nutrition treatment services and food assistance, this program has integrated climate and nutrition-sensitive agriculture that includes the promotion of simple subsistence agriculture and livestock production techniques to improve the availability, access, and consumption of diversified nutritious diets through long-term and sustained approaches. These emphasize the production of arable crops, vegetables, fruits, and animal-source foods which are high in protein and micronutrients.
• The support will include equipping households with tools and skill-building activities to foster year-round production in both rainy and dry seasons using mainly the Permagardening method that uses locally available/easy-to-get resources and small ruminants as well as backyard poultry production promoting the Noiler Chicken.

General Position Summary

• The Agriculture/ Livestock Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Arable Crop Production, backyard permagardening and Livestock production activities. He/ She will work closely with the Senior Agriculture/Livestock officer, Agriculture Coordinator, Nutrition and Food Security team, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Food assistance, MPCA and Nutrition services.
• Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.

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Program Management:

• Train targeted beneficiaries on best agronomy practices, climate-smart agriculture and Livestock production through formal training, on-job mentorship and supportive supervision.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building is incorporated into program planning.
• Coordinate and or supervise community mobilization and sensitization activities on agriculture.
• Participate in planned agriculture and food production assessments/ surveys.
• Participate in periodic program monitoring and evaluation activities including baselines, end lines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises and compilation of success stories.
• Closely collaborate with other sector teams to ensure an integrated approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other program actors.
• Actively participate in area-level agriculture, food security and livelihood sector meetings.
• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment and ownership.
• Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Serve as technical focal person for all field-level engagements.

Team Management:

• Identify technical gaps among staff line managed and in liaison with the line manager provide on-the-job training and/ support supervision.
• Participate in developing a detailed project implementation plan and orient the line managed on agreed actions.

Finance & Compliance Management:

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

Influence & Representation:

• Train and support Village Agents and Agriculture Extension Workers and make sure they transmit/convey messages clearly to targeted participants.
• Creates and maintains the relationship with local Agriculture, Nutrition and other authorities to link services with the existing LGA structure smoothly,
• Always upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps.

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:

• Agriculture / Livelihood Assistants and community-level / field volunteers.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to: Senior Agriculture and Livestock Officer
• Works Directly with:The program officer will work closely with the Nutrition, Food Security & CASH team, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations).

Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or other related field, a relevant master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience focused on agriculture extension including community mobilization, participatory planning, and rural/community development.
• Prior experience implementing agriculture or livestock support programs is essential, preferably in conflict settings.
• Familiarity with the intervention areas.
• Knowledge of Agriculture assessments and or surveys is a plus.
• Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Willing and able to be based within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri, English and or Marghi.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
23rd June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Agriculture and Livestock Program Officer

Requisition Number: AGRIC003828
Location: Dikwa, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Programming

Program / Department Summary

• The Agriculture/ Livestock Program Officer will be based in Dikwa to support the planned agriculture activities in the USAID-BHA funded BEGE program (Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts in Borno) in Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza LGA, Borno State. It is a 24-month program implemented by a consortium led by Mercy Corps and will provide context-specific humanitarian assistance.
• The Program will deliver a multi-sectoral emergency and recovery package targeting Gwoza, Dikwa and Damboa LGAs. Mercy Corps has an established presence in all LGAs and will be delivering food, WASH, protection, nutrition, shelter/non-food item, and agriculture support over the course of 24 months.
• To complement the nutrition treatment services and food assistance, this program has integrated climate and nutrition-sensitive agriculture that includes the promotion of simple subsistence agriculture and livestock production techniques to improve the availability, access, and consumption of diversified nutritious diets through long-term and sustained approaches. These emphasize the production of arable crops, vegetables, fruits, and animal-source foods which are high in protein and micronutrients.
• The support will include equipping households with tools and skill-building activities to foster year-round production in both rainy and dry seasons using mainly the Permagardening method that uses locally available/easy-to-get resources and small ruminants as well as backyard poultry production promoting the Noiler Chicken.

General Position Summary

• The Agriculture/ Livestock Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Arable Crop Production, backyard permagardening and Livestock production activities. He/ She will work closely with the Senior Agriculture/Livestock officer, Agriculture Coordinator, Nutrition and Food Security team, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Food assistance, MPCA and Nutrition services.
• Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.

Program Management:

• Train targeted beneficiaries on best agronomy practices, climate-smart agriculture and Livestock production through formal training, on-job mentorship and supportive supervision.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building is incorporated into program planning.
• Coordinate and or supervise community mobilization and sensitization activities on agriculture.
• Participate in planned agriculture and food production assessments/ surveys.
• Participate in periodic program monitoring and evaluation activities including baselines, end lines, midterm reviews, lesson learning exercises and compilation of success stories.
• Closely collaborate with other sector teams to ensure an integrated approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other program actors.
• Actively participate in area-level agriculture, food security and livelihood sector meetings.
• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment and ownership.
• Ensure timely submission of quality weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Serve as technical focal person for all field-level engagements.

Team Management:

• Identify technical gaps among staff line managed and in liaison with the line manager provide on-the-job training and/ support supervision.
• Participate in developing a detailed project implementation plan and orient the line managed on agreed actions.

Finance & Compliance Management:

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

Influence & Representation:

• Train and support Village Agents and Agriculture Extension Workers and make sure they transmit/convey messages clearly to targeted participants.
• Creates and maintains the relationship with local Agriculture, Nutrition and other authorities to link services with the existing LGA structure smoothly,
• Always upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps.

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:

• Agriculture / Livelihood Assistants and community-level / field volunteers.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to: Senior Agriculture and Livestock Officer
• Works Directly with:The program officer will work closely with the Nutrition, Food Security & CASH team, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations).

Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or other related field, a relevant master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience focused on agriculture extension including community mobilization, participatory planning, and rural/community development.
• Prior experience implementing agriculture or livestock support programs is essential, preferably in conflict settings.
• Familiarity with the intervention areas.
• Knowledge of Agriculture assessments and or surveys is a plus.
• Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Excellent analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Willing and able to be based within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri, English and or Marghi.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
23rd June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Agriculture and Livestock Senior Program Officer

Requisition Number: AGRIC003827
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Programming

Program / Department Summary

• The Senior Program Officer – Agriculture & Livestock will be based in Maiduguri to support the planned agriculture activities in the USAID-BHA funded BEGE program (Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts in Borno) in Dikwa, Damboa and Gwoza LGA, Borno State. It is a 24-month program implemented by a consortium led by Mercy Corps and will provide context-specific humanitarian assistance.
• The Program will deliver a multi-sectoral emergency and recovery package targeting Gwoza, Dikwa and Damboa LGAs with the possibility to extend to more. Mercy Corps has an established presence in all LGAs and will be delivering food, WASH, protection, nutrition, shelter/non-food item, and agriculture support over the course of 24 months.
• To complement the nutrition treatment services and food assistance, this program has integrated climate and nutrition-sensitive agriculture that includes the promotion of simple subsistence agriculture and livestock production techniques to improve the availability, access, and consumption of diversified nutritious diets through long-term and sustained approaches. These emphasize the production of arable crops, vegetables, fruits, and animal-source foods which are high in protein and micronutrients.
• The support will include equipping households with tools and skill-building activities to foster year-round production in both rainy and dry seasons using mainly the Permagardening method that uses locally available/easy-to-get resources and small ruminants as well as backyard poultry production promoting the Noiler Chicken.

General Position Summary

• The Senior Program Officer - Agriculture & Livestock provides field-level managerial and technical oversight to the day-to-day implementation, coordination, supervision and provision of technical support including capacity building to the program team,
• He/She will work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, operation, MEL, CARM, Protection and program) in Gwoza, Dikwa, Damboa and Maiduguri to ensure the day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Collaborate with other team members for effective integration between other services like Food assistance, MPCA and Nutrition services.
• Collaborate with Local authorities and other partners to harmonize different efforts for better impact and sustainability.
• Able to learn and update his/ her information or knowledge to adapt to the changing situation and context.

Program Management:

• Manage the Livestock and agriculture activities implemented in assigned LGAs and ensure that staff are effectively engaged in their tasks.
• Train targeted beneficiaries on Permgardening methods & / climate-smart agriculture and Livestock production through formal training, on-job mentorship and supportive supervision to ensure that it is adopted and practised during the dry and wet seasons.
• Supervise day-to-day field-level implementation of planned Livestock / agricultural activities i.e. distribution of Small ruminants, Arable crops, Kitchen gardening and backyard poultry farming.
• Coordinate and or supervise community mobilization and Agriculture and Livestock activities that promote increased consumption of nutritious diets.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Raise procurement requests to initiate procurement process following MC policy and periodically evaluate and update project procurement and supply needs.
• Draft monthly financial forecast and quarterly financial need forecast in line with the detailed project activity plan / Monthly activity plans and send it to Program Manager
• Consolidate and submit quality Livestock and agriculture and related activity reports (including success stories and lessons learned reports).
• Closely collaborate with other sector teams at the field level to ensure an integrated Agriculture approach internally with MC sectors and externally with complementary activities implemented by other nutrition actors.
• Discuss and follow up on any technical problems related to agriculture and livestock programming and brainstorm solutions.
• Ensure sound monitoring and joint supervision of program activities in close collaboration with the LGA Agriculture and Livestock Office.
• Actively participate in area-level Agriculture and Livelihoods and food security sector meetings.
• Serve as technical focal person for all field-level engagements.

Team Management:

• Track project teams’ daily attendance and validate monthly attendance for supervisees.
• Communicate with HR for necessary staff meetings, performance reviews, appraisals.
• Work with the team to develop a detailed project implementation plan and orient the project teams on their roles and responsibilities
• Identify specific technical gaps in project implementation teams and in liaison with the Technical Advisor organize internal training for them.
• Organize LGA-level weekly nutrition team meetings and provide feedback on improvements, gaps and standardization of the service provision and reporting.

Finance & Compliance Management:

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

Influence & Representation:

• Train and support Village Agents and Agriculture Extension Workers and make sure they transmit/convey messages clearly to targeted participants.
• Creates and maintains the relationship with local Agriculture, Nutrition and other authorities to link services with the existing LGA structure smoothly,
• Always upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps.

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:

• Agriculture / Livelihood Officers, Assistants and community-level / field volunteers.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to:Agriculture Coordinator.
• Works Directly with:The senior program officer will work closely with the Program Manager, CASH team, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations).

Knowledge and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or other related fields, a relevant Master's Degree is a plus.
• Minimum (4) years experience in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, Livestock programming and/or food security and livelihood programming, policy or research, with 2 years experience in a resource-challenged setting. Substantial hands-on experience in social and Behaviour change programming is required.
• Familiarity with the intervention areas.
• Knowledge of Agriculture and Livestock assessments and or surveys is a plus.
• Microsoft Office Skills (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills.
• Willing and able to be based within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, including cross-cultural teams.
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri, English and or Marghi

Success Factors

• The successful candidate 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
23rd June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Strategic Learning Specialist

Requisition Number: STRAT003822
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Programming

General Position Summary

• The Strategic Learning Specialist (SLS) will create and maintain a culture of learning across the portfolio in collaboration with the country and program MEL teams and the Technical Support Unit comprising sectoral leads.
• The SLS will engage internal and external stakeholders in gathering and analyzing results and lessons emerging from the intervention areas to further inform the adaptation, sequencing, and effectiveness of Mercy Corp interventions and the broader sectors in which we work.
• The SLS will generate knowledge from the ground to further the country-level learning agenda, strengthen program efficiency and effectiveness, and drive influence with peers, donors, and government.
• Additionally, the role will be the key focal point for mapping, articulating, and developing a centralized resource that tracks MCN research objectives and priorities across the country portfolio and ensures research uptake, and builds the capacity of program staff in learning

Essential Job Responsibilities
Research and Learning:

• Track the programmatic learning agendas, linking them to portfolio-level goals to ensure alignment of resources across the portfolio to drive forward the country strategy, acting as the PAQ focal point for learning.
• Map and consolidate the database of ongoing research initiatives across the country portfolio.
• Track new research and learning opportunities and where relevant, contribute to research/learning- research processes and products.
• Collaborate with program leads, MEL units, and communication team to strengthen the related elements of proposals.
• Support the Program Leads and MEL teams to ensure the quality, timeliness, and utility of all dissemination of research, including identifying key internal and external audiences, country / regional for a, key events, conferences, and speaking events and driving forward engagements.
• Coordinate with Program Leads and MEL teams to ensure integration and alignment of research fieldwork into program MEL activities and timelines.
• Document, and make available in useful form, evidence and analytic results from studies and evaluation reports, meeting notes, decisions made, and follow-ups from learning engagements.
• As needed, act as a liaison between HQ research teams and MCN program teams to coordinate in-country research activities.
• Provide training and capacity building on research and learning to staff and stakeholders.
• Bringing knowledge and best practice from outside around new research and learning.
• Creating and/or strengthening in country communities of practice around key outcomes for Mercy Corps.

Program Quality And Accountability:

• Support programs to conduct Quarterly Review and reflection meetings in close collaboration with program leads, ensure learning from those reflections is shared beyond the program and well articulated for external audiences where relevant.
• Work with the community accountability and reporting mechanisms (CARM) to ensure findings from feedback are being integrated into program strategies.

Team Building And Integration:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Driving a learning culture in the organization.
• Actively contribute and collaborate with programs, sectors, and regional and global counterparts to promote the use of learning best practices.
• 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.

Influence & Representation:

• Represent Mercy Corps at national and state-level coordination forums as required.
• Where relevant, develop agenda and talking points for contribution at national and state-level coordination forums.
• Represent Mercy Corps with local stakeholders and authorities as required.
• Represent Mercy Corps at internal coordination forums as required.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that you 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:

• None

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Knowledge Management Lead
• Works Directly With: PaQ Team, Grant focal points, All Program team members, CoPS & PMs, support departments

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S Degree or equivalent in relevant field; advanced degrees preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of field experience in international relief or development programs
• Experience developing and implementing learning agendas and other learning activities including capacity building of staff.
• Strong written and oral cross-cultural communication skills, with experience in developing a range of communication tools (briefs, webinars, etc.)
• Proven ability to work with diverse teams across multiple locations.
• Ability to clearly articulate complex ideas to diverse audiences
• Familiarity with research methodologies and approaches.
• Successful and proven negotiation, communication, and organization skills
• Familiarity with various tech platforms for dissemination of learning (zoom, teams, etc.)
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Knowledge of resilience, livelihoods, conflict, and/or protection programming is a plus.

Success Factor

• 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 communication 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position is based in (Abuja, Nigeria) and it requires up to (40 %) travel. Briefly list security information, housing options, access to medical care, specific medical risks (such as epidemics), transportation options, and access to telecommunication as well as accompanied status and whether the position is eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
• Also, be sure to include exceptional work schedules (e.g., evenings and weekends required; 6-day workweek; etc.). Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
30th June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Senior Sub-Award & Compliance Officer

Requisition Number: SUBAW003810
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Finance & Compliance

Program / Department Summary

• The Mercy Corps Subaward Unit is responsible for managing the programmatic, financial and operational aspects of sub-awards issued under all programs across Mercy Corps Nigeria.
• Working with an increasingly wide and diverse set of local and international partners at all levels of public, private and civil society, there is a need to strengthen programmatic and financial support to partners to enable more robust growth and development of sub-grantees.
• Compliance with the donor regulations and Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures is a critical part of the capacity-building process and essential to enable sub-grantees to develop strong systems that will help in the delivery of programmatic interventions.

General Position Summary

• The Senior Sub-Award & Compliance Officer is responsible for managing the programmatic and operational aspects of sub-awards issued under the program in Mercy Corps Nigeria.
• Working with the sub-award team, identifying new sub-grantees & participating in the due diligence process and drafting subaward agreements.
• S/he will also lead efforts to build the capacity of local sub-recipients to meet finance and compliance requirements of the relevant program’s prime donor and other donors, so that these local organizations develop professional personnel and systems.
• Work closely with consortium-level sub-recipient organizations to ensure they are issuing, managing and monitoring subawards in accordance with the sub-award agreement.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Sub Awards Management:

• Participate in the design of new initiatives that require partnership strategies and manage the relationships with prospective partners.
• Prepare Request for Application (RFA) or call for proposal for competitive processes that clearly define and communicate steps for selecting, negotiating and awarding sub-awards.
• Develop & prepare program-specific sub-awards procedure manual, when needed.
• Conduct pre-award Programmatic capacity review and other due diligence of apparently successful applicants. Facilitate with HQ & partners in developing draft sub-award agreement.
• Review & refine the Sub-grantee program description & milestones in sub-grant agreements. Support partners in identifying activities & developing their budget.
• Develop sub-recipient monitoring plans, and conduct programmatic monitoring of sub-recipients. Visit sub-recipients and produce regular programmatic monitoring visit reports.
• Review sub-recipient programmatic reports for correctness and completeness in line with financial reports and ensure that reports are submitted on time. Follow up on the resolution of program & finance performance report issues.
• Organize coordination meetings & programmatic correspondence with the sub-recipient for creating smooth relationships.
• Process the request for procurement for grants & sub-grants, assist in developing forecast & activity plan & review Actual versus budget variance analysis together with finance.
• Maintain & update programmatic report on PM@MC folder file for program and follow up on Programmatic sub-award files in soft & hard copy,
• Assist sub-award close-outs & evaluation, including ensuring that all requirements of the sub-award agreement have been met and that sub-award program reports are submitted.

Partnership Management:

• Provide program guidance and technical support for sub-grant award capacity building through the provision of support to partner organizations as required and in coordination with the relevant program team.
• Conduct the capacity assessment of identified organizations using Mercy Corps’ Organizational Capacity Index (OCI) tool and using OCI findings to support partner organizations to create capacity development plans.
• Refine organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for partner capacity development based on existing Mercy Corps knowledge and experience.
• Deliver training to build partner capacity and technical competencies as well as start-up monitoring and evaluation training
• Support peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and peer mentorship opportunities, including field site visits and learning events.
• Provide technical guidance to develop/strengthen partner organization’s administrative and financial management systems and structures.
• Work closely with consortium-level sub-recipient organizations to ensure they are issuing, managing, and monitoring subawards in accordance with the sub-award manual.
• Other duties as assigned

Influence & Representation:

• Interface with the (donor) representatives to convey information about programs as appropriate.
• Participate in sharing best practices with NGOs and governmental agencies.
• 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.

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.

Accountability:

• Supervisory Responsibility: Sub-awardees, Sub-Award Monitoring Officers
• Reports Directly To: Chief of Party (CIPP) with a dotted line to The Senior Sub award manager and the Director of Finance (CIPP)
• Works Directly With: Program Managers, Sub-award compliance officers, Operations department, and Finance

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in Social Science, Management, International Development or other relevant fields; MA/S preferred.
• At least 3 years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in NGOs/INGO capacity building programs, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings and strong gender background.
• Strong knowledge of, and experience with organizational development of CSOs in challenging environments, and ability to inform the content and method of organizational development training.
• Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building and TOT training.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of conflict mitigation, peace-building and negotiation and ability to translate them into capacity-building elements for peace actors.
• Strong knowledge of gender, vulnerable groups and human rights theory, including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and their implementation process with civic and government counterparts.
• In-depth knowledge and direct exposure to gender-related activities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response is preferred.

Success Factor

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, 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.
• 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
23rd June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and Communications Manager

Requisition Number: COLLA003813
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Category: Media & Communications

Program/Department Summary

• The Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) is a five-year (2019 - 2024), USAID-funded program that seeks to facilitate economic recovery and growth in vulnerable, conflict-affected areas by promoting systemic change in market systems.
• The Activity is part of the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative aimed at developing the agriculture sectors and breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger in some of the world's poorest countries.
• The Activity empowers vulnerable households, communities, and systems to cope with current shocks and stresses and to be prepared to withstand future ones.
• The Activity is implemented by Mercy Corps, in partnership with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) and Save the Children (SCI), primarily in the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe. The value chains supported by the Activity are maize, cowpea, groundnut, and rice, as well as small ruminants, poultry and microenterprises.
• Using market-led approaches, the Activity will sustainably move over 600,000 individuals (internally displaced persons, farmers, agri-business owners, youth, women, private sector entities, and other stakeholders) out of chronic vulnerability and poverty across implementation states.

To achieve its purpose, the Activity implements interventions around five components / strategic objectives:

• Component 1: Provide up-to-date evidence for selection of market systems, livelihoods and employment opportunities that contribute to inclusive and resilient growth and improved nutrition.
• Component 2: Stimulate market systems growth and diverse economic opportunities (Pull activities).
• Component 3: Build capacity to take advantage of market systems opportunities (Push activities).
• Component 4: Sequencing, layering, integrating (SLI), and collaborative learning to improve activity effectiveness, sustainability, and scale.
• Component 5: Supporting Market Resilience to COVID-19 and other Shocks.

General Position Summary

• The CLA and Communications Manager will manage the overall communications and learning needs of the Rural Resilience Activity, including implementation of the CLA and Communications strategies; development of SBCC/IEC materials, learning briefs, case studies, factsheets, success stories, audio-visuals and other messaging required for the visibility of various interventions implemented by the Activity throughout its lifecycle. S/he will be responsible for (a) cross-cutting programmatic information management within the framework of the program; (b) ensuring that information is shared and used for continuous improvement of ongoing interventions. S/he will have responsibility for leading the development of high qualify reports and success stories for dissemination and documentation.
• The CLA and Communications Manager will also develop Activity-level learning questions to facilitate adaptive management and rapid replication of successful approaches. S/he will identify what kinds of information and analysis are required beyond monitoring data to help inform and strengthen RRA’s MEL system. S/he will strengthen CARM (Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism) practices, work closely with the program team to come up with innovative ways of promoting CARM, and ensuring the Activity uses the Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism data to inform and improve implementation as well as feeding into the documentation of best practices.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Technical Leadership:

• Work closely with the Country Office Communication Team in the implementation, review and update of the communications and visibility plan for the Activity, and efficient documentation and implementation of relevant activities in adherence to Mercy Corps global standards and USAID requirements.
• Contribute to program and country team-building efforts and communications support for field teams.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for Programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
• Work with the Technology for Development coordinator to develop IEC materials that are appropriate for the various types of program participants.
• Works with the intervention teams to adopt a holistic program-level CLA/Communications system.
• Provides guidance, recommendations, and leadership to ensure that the CLA/comms systems meet the needs of Programs Managers and CountryLeadership and help address shortfalls in CLA/communications that affect program implementation.
• Contributes to program design to ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ resilience measurement and CLA/communications best practices.
• Develop program and operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition, aggregation, and flow of information in programs.
• Facilitate partner and stakeholder collaboration through activities including joint work planning, regular partner meetings that facilitate knowledge sharing, and/or working groups organized along geographic or technical lines.
• Actively participate in meetings and processes to promote effective communication practices for the program and in support of the country portfolio.

Learning And Communication:

• Coordinate knowledge capturing, sharing, and strategic learning to speed innovation and bring innovations to the program.
• Synthesize findings from evaluations, assessments, special studies, and other sources for use in Activity designs, communications, stakeholder coordination, and reporting.
• Establish and strengthen a functional feedback mechanism in all the communities to ensure that the feedback is encouraged, captured, and reviewed periodically for emerging trends, lessons, and potential gaps to be addressed by capacity building.
• Oversee the compilation and dissemination of information from both quantitative and qualitative data on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned, and other program results to local, national, and regional-level intergovernmental bodies, donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Lead the development and completion of the Quarterly Progress Reports and Annual Performance Reports.
• Support facilitation, including processes and workshops; learning, collaboration, and coordination among implementing partners and other collaborators; producing reflections on the implications of new learning; establish a network of key stakeholders with the Intervention Lead and organize periodic, appropriate opportunities for the Activity to interact with them based on strategy implementation and evidence-based experience.
• Coordinate, plan, and implement institutional learning activities relevant to the achievement of the Rural Resilience Activity’s objectives, such as special studies, pause and reflection sessions, after-action reviews, briefings, communities of practice, learning events, and/or seminars.
• Use USAID’s CLA principles to effectively integrate real-time monitoring and learning back into the project strategy and program implementation and ensure knowledge is shared with the broader host country community.
• Prepare analysis from available sources including MEL findings, CARM, field challenges, and lead sessions to develop adaptive management guidance/ recommendations.
• Lead the production of briefs, case studies, and reader-friendly documentation for dissemination of results in the country, both at the government/donor level and at the community level.
• Maintain and enhance the visibility of the program, identify and manage risks, and strengthen the reputation of the Activity.
• Builds the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent learning system, including regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
• Contribute to the knowledge management repository with best practices in communication and knowledge management and ensures that it is accessible to all staff and partners.
• Establish a close working relationship with relevant media practitioners in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states and at the national level and maintain a database of key media and public relations contacts.
• Develop and share content on Mercy Corps Global internal platforms (Workplace pages, The Hub and The Globe) and frequent updates to the country office communications for dissemination to Mercy Corps Nigeria external communications platforms.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations, including security procedures and policies.
• Travel to field locations to collect images, success stories based on program results, and other communications content to highlight programs successes, staff well-being, or any other topic as the need arises.

Capacity Building And Mentoring:

• Provide capacity building on knowledge management, actionable learning, and adaptive management approaches.
• Support the MEL Manager in building the capacity of staff, government counterparts, private sector, and other stakeholders in program monitoring and evaluation, data collection and management, and CLA methods as necessary.
• Work closely with Program Managers, Human Resources, and Finance to ensure that CLA skills are incorporated into all program position descriptions and positions are budgeted for.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Help teams to plan and conduct effective dissemination of program materials to different Stakeholders.
• Help identify team members’ capacity-building needs and the implementation of communications capacity-building and learning activities.
• Facilitate communications capacity-building training/sessions for program team members and partner staff.
• Support the planning and coordinating of communications trainings, workshops and other events, as the need arises.
• Work with all stakeholders to identify new communications vehicles and platforms to expand the Activity’s dissemination base.
• Build strategic partnerships and maintains positive and effective communication with partners; play a leading role in sustaining external relationships with partners.
• Develop and oversees RRA team and partner capacity-building strategy that promotes a Culture of communication and learning.
• Build the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent learning system, including regular reflection and analysis of program monitoring data.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

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 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: Learning and Comms Officers, Assistants and Comms Interns
• Reports Directly To: Chief of Party Works Directly with: Communications Manager, Program Sector Managers, MEL team, Reporting & Communications Officers, DCoP, Finance, and Operations teams. Coordinates with HQ Program Performance team and the Technical Support Unit.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master's Degree in Communication Studies, Development Studies, Research Methods, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Knowledge Management, Project Management, or other relevant field required.
• 10 years of active work experience in communications, MEL or CLA in emergency and development programming.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis skills required. Preferrable in Excel, Access, other statistical packages including Stata, R or SPSS and GIS tools like QGIS, ArcGIS, or Google Earth Pro is preferred.
• Experience with data management including the ability to structure and collate data sets for ease of analysis.
• Experience of working on USAID programs preferred.
• Proven leadership experience in organizational and peer-to-peer learning, capacity strengthening, and collaborative learning and adaptation.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships and productive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skill and experience in facilitating groups, meetings, and events (both online and in-person), resulting in collaborative decision-making, agreed-upon action items/priorities, and strong outcomes.
• Strong analytical, synthesis, report writing, and presentation skills and ability to deliver on time; fluency in spoken and written English required. Hausa is a plus.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving, and systems thinking skills with the capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.

Success Factors

• A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving.
• S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem-solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting, and follow laws and security protocols.
• The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
30th June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Learning and Communications Assistant

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports Directly to: CLA / Communications Manager
Travel Required: Yes

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the Northeast of Nigeria and causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. With funding from institutional donors, foundations and private corporations, Mercy Corps continues to provide assistance to meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of food security, shelter, water and sanitation, protection, and livelihoods.
• Mercy Corps is currently implementing the USAID-funded Feed the Future Nigeria 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. To achieve this purpose, the Activity will have five components and five cross-cutting elements:
• Component 1: Provide up-to-date evidence for selection of market systems, livelihoods and employment opportunities that contribute to inclusive and resilient growth and improved nutrition.
• Component 2: Stimulate market systems growth and diverse economic opportunities (Pull activities).
• Component 3: Build capacity to take advantage of market systems opportunities (Push activities).
• Component 4: Sequencing, layering, integrating (SLI), and collaborative learning to improve activity effectiveness, sustainability, and scale.
• Component 5: Supporting Market Resilience to COVID-19 Shocks.

General Position Summary

• The Learning and Communication Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the Activity’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and Communications framework and strategy. S/he will work with the intervention leads to develop knowledge products, including learning briefs, tools and templates, factsheets, and IEC materials for the program. S/he will also be responsible for activity-driven learning activities (after-action reviews, lessons learned exercises, satisfaction surveys, focus group discussions, etc.), ensuring the program’s learning agenda is effectively implemented.
• S/he shall work with the Communications Manager to develop content for the program's quarterly newsletters for dissemination among stakeholders and utilize creative approaches to content development, using infographics to enhance reports for dissemination to the USAID, internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities, Strategy and Vision

• S/he will support the continuous improvement of the Activity’s Knowledge Management system, helping to deepen and promote the culture of documentation, packaging, storage, and retrieval of program knowledge assets including technical approaches, reports, research studies, lessons learned, case studies, communications materials, and other program assets.
• To plan and implement activities that ensure adherence to Mercy Corps and USAID standards and ensure effective dissemination of project materials to different stakeholders.
• S/he will work with the MEL unit to ensure that communication and learning are evidence-based and that surveys and research are well presented and disseminated for the purpose of learning and adaptation.
• Work with Mercy Corps Nigeria Communications Working Group and the Rural Resilience Activity Communications Manager to integrate Mercy Corps and stakeholders’ activity engagement.
• Contribute to all Rural Resilience Activity’s internal and external communications activities, providing necessary communication support for intervention activities.

Learning, Communications and Capacity Building:

• Support the Activity’s visibility and communication initiatives through travel to field locations to collect images, success stories, and other communications content, as necessary for the development of high-quality reports and success stories for dissemination and documentation.
• Update the content of the Mercy Corps workplace and other recognized social media platforms on a routine basis to ensure dissemination of the program activities, progress, and achievement.
• During special events coordinate the use of social media for reporting on the activities with other program staff according to Mercy Corps standards.
• Source and secure media opportunities for the program to showcase its work during key commemoration days such as International Women’s Day; World Food Day; International Youth Day etc.
• Support the mapping of stakeholder to inform partnership that contributes to increased resilience and economic opportunities.
• Generate and share evidence for learning, adapting, and quality implementation in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that the Activity’s learning agenda is efficiently updated and implemented.
• Work with external vendors, including graphic designers and printers, and liaise with relevant print and news media to cover relevant Rural Resilience Activity.
• With support from the CLA and Communications Manager, organize learning field visits, knowledge sharing, and capitalization workshops at the local level to enable lessons learned to be used in future program design.
• Develop and participate in producing various communication materials including brochures, flyers, banners, infographics, newsletters, posters, articles, news stories, documentaries, and technical reports on Rural Resilience Activity.
• Work with other team members to address shortfalls in communication and information management that affect program implementation.
• Participate and support in the preparation of quality quarterly and annual reports, factsheets, presentations, articles, lessons learned documents, and any other written resources as needed, for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in communications and learning working groups and maintain close working relationships with other colleagues in Mercy Corps and other relevant international NGOs, local NGOs, and associations in Nigeria.
• Maintain standards and best practices for all communications and related processes, including contributions to the online Communications and Learning library under the direction of the CLA/ Communications Manager.

Team Management:

• 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.
• 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.

Finance and Compliance Management:

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

Influence and Representation:

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, subgrantees, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

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

• N/A

Accountability:

• Reports Directly to:CLA/Communications Manager
• Works Directly withChief of Party, RRA Communications Officers, Mercy Corps Nigeria Communication team, intervention facilitation team, Rural Resilience Activity technical leads,MRM team, Finance, and compliance department, and other relevant MC staff.

Knowledge and Experience

• Postgraduate Degree in Communication, Knowledge Management, International Development, Agriculture, Economics, Social Sciences or any related field.
• A minimum of 1 year of supporting Communication and/or knowledge management activities in international development is required. The ideal candidate will have both a theoretical and practical background in communications. Experience implementing peace & resilience building and market systems projects will be of great advantage.
• 1-3 years of experience in writing and editing content for digital and print.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, graphic applications, and good photography skills.
• Knowledge of program development, implementation, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in initiating and implementing program development learning strategies, workshops, and building team capacity to deliver high-quality results.
• Vast experience in producing quality communications materials (factsheets, summary briefs, documentaries, drama skits, etc.)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with any communication software.
• Experience interfacing with media, the private sector, the government, and key stakeholders is highly desired.
• Fluency in Hausa, written and verbal English is required.

Success Factor:

• The successful candidate will combine exceptional leadership, management, and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to engage adolescent girls in informal education and skills building linked with private sector entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in a culturally and religiously conservative environment. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. 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 in all situations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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.

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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASCand have signed on to theInteragency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
23rd June, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Applicants should have their CVs and Cover Letters in one document addressing the position requirements.
• Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.