🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ Mercy Corps Nigeria – 9 Positions

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization that works in 40 countries around the world to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Since 2012, Mercy Corps has worked to tackle Nigeria’s complex and evolving needs through a range of dynamic, multi-sector programs. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps is addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of vulnerable communities; enabling conflict-affected populations to transform from relief to resilience using market-driven approaches; and supporting community-led peace-building efforts.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Protection Program Officer
2.) Consultant - Training for Ginger Women Farmers Leadership Capacity Development and Negotiation Skills (x4)
3.) Consultant to Facilitate COMITAS Briquette Training
4.) Consultant - Harmonization of COMITAS Conflict and Natural Resources Management and Service Delivery Action Plan
5.) Consultant - Impact Story Documentation for Comitas Program
6.) Field Operations Manager

Job Title: Protection Program Officer

Location: Ngala, Borno
Employment Type:Full Time
Safeguarding Risk Level:3

Job Description

• The Protection Program Officer is responsible for the implementation of protection sector activities including the mobilization of women’s groups, adolescent programming, training on topics such as psychological first aid, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention and response, and the validation of referral pathways in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria. With the support of the Protection and GBV Coordinators.
• S/he will also advise and build capacity of other sector teams on gender and protection mainstreaming and best practices. S/he will report directly to the Field Program Manager and will work closely with other sectors.

Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Oversee the implementation of protection activities and ensure adequate gender mainstreaming across program field locations;
• Develop activity work plans and manage day-to-day activity implementation related to protection;
• Ensure that program implementation mainstreams gender and protection in coordination with other sectors in line with best practices;
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria;
• Lead where necessary community meetings to identify protection concerns.
• Establish and maintain effective program reporting, and monitoring and evaluation systems (to track, analyze and report on results) for both internal and external use;
• Integrate community approaches, protection mainstreaming, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate;
• Ensure program filing system is in place, adheres to internal and donor regulation and filing is regularly maintained;
• Adhere to all MC policies related to security, operations and transport/ logistics information related to programming.
• Support orientation for all new staff on MC guidelines on gender and protection mainstreaming. If necessary, organize capacity building sessions for other sector staff on gender and protection.
• Provide weekly field reports, capturing activities progress, lessons learned, success stories on the project as well as general situation and community updates and needs.
• Report on any problems encountered in the field such as project participant complaints, local authority interference, and security threats to MC staff and activities. Coordinate with MC Security Officer and Protection Coordinator on any threats to MC staff and activities.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Program Management:

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Fulfill 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.
• Ensure teams are able to apply the “I’m Here Approach” and safe space programming to identify, engage, and empower adolescent girls and boys including the use of tools like the Girl Roster, Boys Matrix and Inclusion Now.
• Monitor progress and ensure that sex and age disaggregated data and analysis is used in assessments, implementation documents, monitoring, and evaluations to adapt and meet the unique needs of adolescent girls and boys (10-14 years, 15-19 years, 20-24 years).
• Ensure mentors receive support and training to engage adolescents, their care providers and stakeholder, promote psychosocial well-being, and enable safe programming.
• Promote holistic approach that encourages the participation of young people that strives for girl and boy led initiatives as well as promote enabling environments that involve care providers and community stakeholders.

Team Management:

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, 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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• S/he will supervise Gender and protection Program Assistants

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To:Field Program Manager
• Works Directly With:Finance, Program, MEL, and Operation Teams.

Requirements

• BA/Sc. in a relevant field
• 3 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; general gender and protection mainstreaming experience & knowledge required.
• Experience with conducting gender analysis, protection assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English and Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will have a can-do attitude. Ideally s/he will be very committed and willingness to learn and work in remote locations. . S/he is a problem solver, an effective community mobilizer who is adept in successfully dealing with issues of complexity. S/he is an active listener and contributor, working to create a strong team that share ideas and learn.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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 always adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
5th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Consultant - Training for Ginger Women Farmers Leadership Capacity Development and Negotiation Skills

Locations: Kachia, Jaba, Sanga and Jema, Kaduna
Employment Type: Contract
The Consultant will report to: Director of Programs
The Consultant will work closely with: Program Manager

Purpose / Project Description

• Mercy Corps is seeking suitable firms or service providers with requirement and experience to provide technical assistance to participants to achieve program goals in the following areas.
• The technical assistance can be provided through a range of mechanisms, including but not limited to:
  • Training of Women on Leadership Capacity Building and Negotiation Skills.

Target Audience:

• The target audience for this training are Ginger women farmers in Sanga, Jaba, Jema’a and Kachia LGAs.

Training Objective:

• Enhance the leadership skills of Ginger women farmers, enabling them to effectively manage their farms and advocate for their interests within their communities.
• Develop strong market negotiation skills, allowing them to secure fair prices for their ginger harvest.
• Increase confidence and communication skills to effectively interact with buyers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among Ginger women farmers.

Areas of evaluation include but are not limited to:

• Scale - innovative approach which has been tried at a minimum scale of reaching thousands of farmers in terms of outreach and impact,
• Impact data and evidence- innovations which have data and evidence of impact on productivity, Inclusion-inclusive innovation with a focus on ginger smallholders and women farmers.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering training programs on leadership and market negotiation skills for agricultural producers.
• Expertise in working with women farmers and understanding their specific challenges.
• Ability to develop and deliver culturally appropriate training materials.
• A team of qualified trainers with experience in adult education methodologies.
• A strong track record of successful program implementation and positive participant feedback.

Consultant Activities:
Invitation for the Selection of Institutions/Consulting Services for services associated with:

• Improving the Leadership Capacity Building, and Negotiation Skills of 1800 ginger farmers.

Consultant Deliverables
The contractor is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Develop acomprehensive training curriculum, manual including training materials.
• Conduct the training, including group exercises according to cluster groups with refreshments (1800 Ginger Women Farmers).
• Issue certificates of attendance at the end of the training.
• Develop a complete training evaluation/report of the training, including participant feedback and recommendations for future training programs.
• Conduct post-training mentoring and coaching to participants.

Program Content
The training program will consist of interactive modules covering the following key areas:
Leadership Development:

• Defining leadership styles and identifying personal strengths.
• Effective communication skills.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques.
• Building self-confidence and public speaking skills.

Market Negotiation Skills:

• Understanding market dynamics and pricing strategies for ginger.
• Negotiation techniques for securing fair prices.
• Cost analysis and value proposition development.
• Understanding contracts and legal aspects of selling ginger.

Training Methodology
The training will utilize a participatory approach that combines:

• Lectures and presentations by experienced trainers.
• Interactive group discussions and case studies.
• Role-playing exercises to simulate market negotiation scenarios.
• Group activities and peer learning opportunities.

Timeframe / Schedule:

• The consultancy is for a maximum of 45 days from the commencement date.
• A detailed project timeline will be developed by the training provider, outlining key events and deadlines for each stage of the program.

Budget:

• A detailed budget outlining the costs associated with the training program will be developed and submitted as a financial proposal.
• This may include the costs for trainer fees, training materials, venue rental, and participant refreshments.

Reporting:
The training provider will submit a comprehensive report upon program completion. The report will include:

• A summary of the training activities and content delivered.
• Participant demographics and attendance records.
• Feedback from participants through surveys or focus groups.
• An evaluation of the program's effectiveness in achieving its objectives.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• A monitoring and evaluation plan will be included to track the progress of the training and assess its impact on the participants.
• This may include pre- and post-training surveys, focus group discussions, and monitoring of changes in leadership behaviours and market negotiation outcomes.

Sustainability:

• The training will explore opportunities for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the skills and knowledge gained by the participants.
• This might involve establishing a network or support group for the Ginger women farmers or exploring opportunities for continued training and mentorship.

Special Requirements

• Access to information is key to making an informed decision. The ERGF Program aims to empower ginger farmers with business skills, access to savings and credit, and gender empowerment to enable farmers to make informed and effective choices about money matters. In doing so, this will support cluster farmers to be financially responsive, better plan their business, and increase the inclusion of the ginger value chain, particularly entry to upstream actions, such as entrance to processing/aggregation opportunities.
• While the training will be conducted in the mentioned 4 LGAs, previous experience will be an added advantage for organizations working in these locations or rural areas. Again, priority will be given to Women negotiation and leadership centers, NGO, CSO, or consulting firm that implemented similar activities. Prior experience with the noted value chain or working with female farmers is critical, and fluency in the local language is a prerequisite.
• Proposed methodologies should be evidence-based with accompanying impact data.

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:

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

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
4th August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications, Credentials and CV to: ng-quotations@mercycorps.org using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Selection Process

• Upon deadline for submitting Proposals, a technical review panel will convene. Mercy Corps shall take steps to ensure that members of the review panel do not have any conflicts of interest or the appearance of such about the organizations whose applicants are under review.
• An individual shall be considered to have the appearance of a conflict of interest if that person, or that person's spouse, partner, child, a close friend, or relative works for or is negotiating to work for or has a financial interest (including being an unpaid member of a Board of Directors) in any organization that applied currently under the panel's review.
• Members of the panel shall neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favours, or anything of monetary value from parties to the awards.
• All Applications that meet the business skills and management training objectives requirements will be reviewed by the review panel. Any selected applicants may then be invited to a further co-creation process to ensure the design fits the ERGF program needs.

Eligibility:

• Mercy Corps is interested in partnership with institutions, research centers, NGOs, CSOs, consultant, entrepreneurship organization registered with the CAC or a Public Sector Institution and Tax Clearance certificate.

Evaluation Criteria:
Upon submission, the Mercy Corps will evaluate all applications using the following criteria:

• Feasibility of design & Technical Approach: Viability of the proposed technical approach (i.e., the proposed technical approach can reasonably be expected to produce the intended outcomes - Submission of proposal, methodology and workplan to be used to carry out this consultancy
• Previous Relevant Experience: Evidence of 3 previous or ongoing experience implementing similar training in the last 5 years for NGOs/INGOs
• Financial Proposal: Breakdown of Price with evidence of achieving the desired result. Realistic budget for best value for money.
• Certification in Negotiation and/or Women Leadership: Evidence of trainers with certification that include but not limited Certified Women Negotiation and Leadership Trainer
• Prior Experience Working in Rural Context: Evidence of 3 previous or ongoing experience in Rural/Farming context.

Training plan, methodology and proposal capturing the below information:

• Name of private company, Organization, Institution, Name and contact of focal person, office address, CAC Certificate and Number of the company and description of what the company does.
• Consultant(s) profile/CV, including details of academic and/or professional history (that have experience in negotiation and women leadership)
• Sample training plan and workshop templates used at a previous training workshop.
• Clear description of sustainability of your training and how you will achieve scale and sustainability
• What measurements you proposed to ensure your proposed action achieves the intended result
• Project activity against a timeline (workplan) - based on activity proposed.
• Evidence of 3 previous or ongoing contract or Purchase Order implementing similar training in the last 5 years for NGOs/INGOs
• Breakdown of Price with evidence of achieving the desired result. Realistic budget for best value for money.
• Evidence of Certification in Negotiation and/or Women Leadership.
• Evidence of 3 previous or ongoing experience in Rural/Farming context.

Note: The Selected Institution/Consultant is expected to develop and provide a comprehensive training curriculum and manual to the participants that are easy to understand and concise, using teaching methodologies and techniques that are engaging and interactive, monitor participants progress during the training, providing feedback and guidance as needed, and conduct an evaluation of the training at the conclusion.

Job Title: Consultant to Facilitate COMITAS Briquette Training

Locations: Numan, Demsa, Lamurde, Mayoblelwa and Girei, Adamawa
Employment Type: Contract
Timeframe / Schedule: 5th Aug 2024 - 16th Aug 2024
Total Level of Effort: 10 days facilitation

Background

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic recovery and development, and conflict mitigation and peacebuilding.
• Considering the protracted conflicts between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa State, Nigeria, competing claims to land, water and other natural resources are at the root of these growing tensions.
• Indeed, pressure on natural resources have increased due to demographic growth, expanding human settlements, privatization of land, year-round farming practices, environmental degradation, and climate change.
• In many instances, traditional conflict resolution mechanisms that play significant roles in mitigating these resource-based conflicts locally have become overwhelmed.
• Besides, low levels of trust in authorities by communities due to widespread inaction, impunity and perceived biases or reactive responses by government to shared natural resource conflicts complicate the tensions further.
• Through funding from the EU, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Search for Common Ground (Search), and Mercy Corps have designed a comprehensive and integrated approach (COMITAS) that builds on the comparative strengths of each organization to contribute to the mitigation of conflicts over natural resources between farmer and herder communities.
• This program is developed around 4 interconnected objectives: strengthen traditional conflict resolution; improve trust in authorities; enhance collaboration on natural resource management and; improve intra and inter communal perceptions.
• Mercy Corps is leading the implementation of objective 3, which focuses on enhancing collaboration on natural resource management.
• Mercy Corps aims to build the capacity of local government authorities in natural resource management (NRM) to facilitate their collaboration with communities towards sustaining concrete natural resource initiatives that communities will develop.
• The collaborations that the program is enabling between communities and authorities will improve communities trust and confidence in government, promote collaborative natural resource management and governance, enhance livelihoods, and improve social cohesion and conflict management between farmer and herder communities.

Objective of the Facilitation:

• Climate changes due to global warming add considerable complexity to dealing with flooding, since increases in average temperature alter the patterns and intensity of precipitation.
• Climate variability and climate change related shocks and stresses that has directly and indirectly raise the risk of conflict, caused fluctuations in key social, economic and ecological dynamics like population growth and environmental degradation which also complicates conflict.
• In current reality, these shocks and macro trends have compounded to rise in food prices forced immigration, livelihood insecurity, loss of yield and forced displacement to mention few.
• Due to this growing concern and need. In order to improve local-led solutions to negative impact of climate change, Mercy corps will seeking a seasoned and experience team of facilitators to train COMITAS Participant from implemented communities on the making of briquette block using readily accessible materials from communities.
• This training aims to build the capacity of the community members on briquette making and create alternatives for cooking energy against the usual practices of use of firewood or charcoal. T
• his will also create a perception change and community preparedness toward climate change resiliency.
• The collective-community approach will also demonstrate the benefits of collaboration between and among communities, increased social cohesion within and between divided groups and enhance trust and support that will improve, resource use and management.

The training will propagate the following objectives.
Reduced Deforestation:

• Briquettes are made from biomass materials that would otherwise be discarded or burnt inefficiently.
• By using briquettes as a substitute for traditional fuel sources like firewood or charcoal, there is less pressure on forests, leading to reduced deforestation and habitat destruction.

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

• Burning briquettes produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fuels like coal or wood.
• This helps mitigate climate change by reducing the carbon footprint associated with energy consumption.

Energy Efficiency:

• Briquettes have a higher energy content and burn more efficiently than raw biomass materials.
• This means that less fuel is required to produce the same amount of heat, resulting in lower overall energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.

Waste Management:

• Briquettes offer a way to utilize agricultural residues, sawdust, and other waste materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution or landfill accumulation.
• By converting these waste products into a valuable energy source, briquettes promote sustainable waste management practices.

Climate Change Adaptation:

• In the face of changing climate patterns and extreme weather events, access to reliable and sustainable energy sources becomes crucial for communities to adapt and build resilience.
• Briquettes provide a stable energy supply that can withstand disruptions caused by climate-related disasters.

Economic Benefits:

• The production and use of briquettes can create economic opportunities for local communities, especially in rural areas where traditional biomass is the primary source of energy.
• This can help improve livelihoods and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.

Scope of services:
The training facilitators shall support the following activities as the scope of this Facilitation:

• The Consultancy Firm(s) shall develop a training curriculum for the briquette making in community settings.
• Provide all the necessary raw materials necessary for the briquette making.
• Develop a detailed facilitation guide and presentation for the full training.
• Support communities to develop briquettes from the basis to the final product of making of briquette.
• Work with Mercy Corps’ focal monitoring and evaluation person, to perform individual pre and post-surveys/assessments to measure knowledge acquired and the quality of the services provided.
• Clarify queries related to this facilitation as they arise

Deliverables:
The Consultancy Firm(s) will help support the following deliverables:

• Submit a detailed presentation/ facilitation guide.
• Facilitate (10) days training, full workshop each day and report development.
• Assist to prepare a post-training action plan and in some instances providing technical guidance for its implementation when called upon.
• Prepare a final report on the assignment which should also include identifying areas of improvement for the future.

Application Closing Date
1st August, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested individual consultant or consulting firm should send their Detailed Work-plan and CV, Evidence of similar work conducted in Briquette making training, Company profile and Budget Proposal to: ng-yolquotations@mercycorps.org using “RFQ 081_Consultancy Firm to Facilitate COMITAS Briquette Training” as the subject of the mail.

Job Title: Consultant - Harmonization of COMITAS Conflict and Natural Resources Management and Service Delivery Action Plan

Locations: Adamawa & Taraba
Employment Type: Contract
Total Level of Effort: 40 days

Job Summary

• We are looking for Consultants to Facilitate Natural Resource Management Planning and Implementation – Consultancy Service for Harmonizing Conflict and Natural Resource Management and Service Delivery Action Plan in Adamawa and Taraba States (22 project communities, 9 LGAs)

Background

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, conflict mitigation and peacebuilding. Considering the emerging trends of conflicts across different regions in the country, many communities continue to grapple with intense insecurity, displacements, and threats to livelihoods, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East.
• While Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in the region in 2014 to address rising humanitarian needs, the persistence of the crisis in the region influenced the organisation’s strategy to expand towards addressing the root causes of the conflict and pursue the building of long-term resilience capacities of communities. This strategy utilises integrated program approaches that focus on the intersection of governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, improving social cohesion and local conflict management, increasing community protection, and promoting food security, youth empowerment, and social inclusion.
• The competition for access and use of scarce natural resources continues to escalate violent conflicts between farmer and herder communities in Nigeria’s Adamawa and Taraba States. While there are other tensions between these groups, several sources prioritise that the struggle to control economically viable land and water resources exacerbates resource-based conflicts in these States. Moreover, even though these economic and social factors influence conflict intensity, variations, and the quality of social cohesion across farmer and herder communities, the impacts of these conflicts also affect their livelihoods.
• The findings of several conflict and natural resource mapping reveal that resource-based conflicts also impact a clear visualisation of opportunities for transforming resource-based violence and improving resource-related service delivery, interdependence, and collaboration.
• These opportunities will enhance collaborative problem-solving between farmers and herders, strengthen community-government relationships towards de-escalating protracted resource-based conflicts, and improve collaborative natural resource management in communities.

Project Description

• Following a clear understanding of the varying drivers of resource-based conflicts between farmers and herders, the COMITAS II project was conceptualised to provide strategic responses to transform the conflicts over shared natural resources between farmer and herder communities.
• This project builds on the comparative strengths of each consortium partner – the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Search for Common Ground (SFCG), and Mercy Corps (MC) – to strengthen early warning and response mechanisms. Most notably, while the project uses IOM’s long-standing experience in flow monitoring and data analysis to facilitate the identification of early warning signals that arise from transhumance activities in Adamawa and Taraba states, it also leverages SFCG’s expertise in community mobilization to mobilize early responses to the early warning signals through established Conflict Resolution Networks (CRNs) in the project communities. Meanwhile, to ensure that early warning signals related to competition over natural resources are addressed through this project, MC leverages its strength and experience in enhancing farmer and herder communities’ capacity to negotiate resource-based conflicts and collaborate over natural resource management to strengthen the capacity of Natural Resource Management Committees (NRMCs). These NRMCs design and lead locally-led negotiation and action plans to address the drivers of resource-based conflicts between farmers and herders. The NRMCs also work closely with the CRNs to develop local solutions to threats that could escalate conflicts associated with shared natural resources.

The project has the following four specific objectives:

• Strengthen traditional conflict resolution.
• Improve trust in authorities.
• Enhance collaboration on natural resource management.
• Improve intra and inter-communal perceptions.

Consultancy Objectives:

• In support of objective 3, Mercy Corps’ component in the program, a series of activities to develop community-based conflict, natural resource management, and service delivery action plans were implemented.
• These activities resulted from MC’s capacity building for Natural Resource Management Committees (NRMCs) and local authorities. The capacity-building activities strengthened the negotiation and mediation capacities of NRMCs and local authorities to mitigate natural resource conflicts and engage in natural resource planning and management actions between farmers and herders.
• Through interest-based negotiation and mediation (IBN+M) capacity building and natural resource action planning, NRMCs, their communities, and local authorities have become more informed about their natural resource priorities and crucial strategies for managing shared natural resources and resource-based conflicts.
• They are also raising awareness of collaborative natural resource use and management initiatives and climate change mitigation and prioritising sustainable concrete solutions – i.e., quick impact projects (QIPs) – that will enhance peaceful coexistence, mutuality and reciprocity between farmer and herder communities.
• Following the capacity building of NRMCs and local authorities in IBN+M, MC facilitated resource-related service delivery and conflict and natural resource management action planning sessions with NRMCs, their communities, and local authorities in Adamawa and Taraba States.
• The action plan activity enabled project communities and local authorities to identify shared natural resource issues, prioritise options to address the identified resource-based conflicts and determine the processes, stakeholders, and resources required to implement community-level natural resource management, conflict mitigation, and service delivery actions. Therefore, Mercy Corps is seeking a consultant to conduct the following set of activities:
  • Analyse and harmonise the conflict, natural resource management, and service delivery action plans developed by project communities and local authorities in Adamawa and Taraba States.
  • Identify and assess relevant national and state natural resource management and service delivery frameworks.
  • Provide analytical recommendations for policy implementation, programming, and collaborative action between communities, government institutions, and Mercy Corps.
  • Contribute to developing a harmonised conflict and natural resource management and service delivery action plan document.

Required Experience & Skills
The ideal Consultant will possess the following experience and skills:

• 3+ years of experience conducting trainings and designing and facilitating action planning activities.
• Demonstrated expertise in governance, conflict management and peacebuilding, and natural resource management.
• Profound knowledge of farmer and herder conflicts in Adamawa and Taraba States. Knowledge of project locations will be value-added.
• Strong writing and communication skills, especially for publication purposes.

Reporting: The Consultant will report to Mercy Corps’ COMITAS Program Manager. However, s/he will work closely with the Natural Resources Management Advisor.

Application Closing Date
1st August, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified consultant or consulting firm should send their Application to: ng-yolquotations@mercycorps.org using “RFQ082_Consultant for Harmonization of COMITAS Conflict and Natural Resources Management and Service Delivery Action Plan in 9 LGAs in Adamawa and Taraba State” as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Submit the following
  • CV and cover letter detailing relevant training and writing experience(s) related to governance, conflict management and peacebuilding.
  • A Detailed workplan for the consultancy Services
  • Budget or Financial Proposal
• 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.
• Safeguarding & Ethics: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venue

Job Title: Consultant - Impact Story Documentation for Comitas Program

Locations: Adamawa & Taraba
Employment Type: Contract
Timeline of assignment: 5th - 16th August, 2024 (Date may change)

Program / Department Summary

• While clashes are often understood in ethno-religious terms due to the spread of unreliable information, competing claims to land, water and other natural resources are at the root of growing tensions between farmer and herder communities in Nigeria. Indeed, pressure on natural resources has increased due to demographic growth, expanding human settlements, privatization of land, year-round farming practices, environmental degradation, and climate change.
• In the absence of mutually agreed upon solutions, disputes over crop damage, livestock theft, and water pollution have increasingly turned violent. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms have been pushed beyond their breaking point and trust in authorities is at an all-time low due to widespread inaction, impunity and a perceived bias.
• In order to contribute to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Search for Common Ground (Search), and Mercy Corps have designed a comprehensive and integrated approach entitled “Contributing to the mitigation of conflict over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa state, Nigeria (COMITAS)”.
• The European Union (EU) Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (ICSP) that responds quickly and flexibly to conflicts and crises funds the 18-month COMITAS project. The COMITAS project is empowering communities to prevent and respond to violence by strengthening collaboration on Natural Resource Management, foster trust through community dialogue, and promote positive perceptions through reliable information and peace messaging.
• The COMITAS program is currently being implemented in Adamawa and Taraba State in 5 LGAs across 10 wards. Specifically:

Scope of Work

• The Consultant is required to capture at least 10 impact stories from the program intervention, highlighting the key areas of SEE-ACT-IMPACT-Action framework of the program impact. Stories will highlight the following key components of the program.
• Conflict mitigation and dispute resolution: In particular, COMITAS intends to capture personal accounts from the trained community participants on how they have applied their recently acquired conflict management skills within and around their communities to mitigate violence. These stories can include the effectiveness of the approach applied, the challenges encountered within the approach, and resolutions reached as a result of the improved capacity of the participant (s) to resolve conflict issues through support from the program. Stories or instances that can also capture collaboration between the groups in conflict should also be highlighted.
• Community resource-sharing arrangements/agreements: One of the project’s objectives is to demonstrate improved collaboration between farmers and herders around community resources like land and water. To achieve this objective, the COMITAS program has supported the communities to establish natural resource management committees (NRMCs). The NRMCs are now saddled with the responsibility of working with their people to develop sustainable practices to ensure equitable access and use of the resources, for all parties and groups. Some critical examples COMITAS will like to highlight includes demarcation of alternative routes for the movement and migration of livestock, identification of alternative water points for livestock and humans, renewed community patterns and practices for maintaining land and water resources.
• Trust and collaboration between communities and local authorities: Historically, communities yearn for their governments to be empathetic to the plight of the communities and fulfill their political promises. While many communities lack the orientation and commitment to hold their leaders accountable to these promises. Recently, COMITAS has been supporting the demand and supply side of governance to improve the trust deficit between the two, through joint collaboration on shared interests around addressing the farmer and herder conflict. COMITAS wants to capture the progress around building a mutual and sustainable relationship based on trust and respect between trained local authorities and community members. Examples will include experiences while both attending study visits, development of natural resource action plans, working on project technical committees etc.
• Implementation of concrete natural resource solutions to promote peace: The introduction of joint concrete projects like constructing water points, placing markers along designated cattle routes etc. to address conflict triggers, falls within the COMITAS approach. Most importantly is the process adopted to reach these concrete solutions. COMITAS will like to capture the personal encounters and experiences in reaching mutual agreements amid sometimes many perceived divergent interests between farmers and herders. Focus of the stories can highlight experiences around identifying a specific mutually shared project, process of identification of the location to implement the project, legitimization of the process/agreement etc.
• Gender, inclusion and peacebuilding: Often at times, peacebuilding conversations tend to neglect the voices of women. More often their needs, wants, and interests are given less priority in the final outcomes of decisions made. The COMITAS project works to promote substantive participation of women, and also youth, within the governance of community natural resources. COMITAS will like to capture women and youth experiences while participating in a largely patriarchal society on the issues of natural resource management. Examples would include their experiences within the NRMCs and decision making within these community structures, collaboration efforts between farmer and herder women towards a specific outcome, dispute resolution efforts/contributions towards land and water issues.
• Climate Adaptive initiatives: Climate changes due to global warming add considerable complexity to dealing with flooding, since increases in average temperature alter the patterns and intensity of precipitation. Climate variability and climate change related shocks and stresses that has directly and indirectly raise the risk of conflict, caused fluctuations in key social , economic and ecological dynamics like population growth and environmental degradation which also complicates conflict. In current reality, these shocks and macro trends have compounded to rise in food prices forced immigration, livelihood insecurity, loss of yield and forced displacement to mention few. COMITAS work has really exposed the community members on the dangers of unhealthy environmental Practices and alternatives to indulging in such. The communities has began to take up key responsibilities in ensuring the protection of their environment.

Section below capture story leads and what specific information should come from it

Specific Responsibilities

• Interview at least 2 participants from each of the 5 strategic components and document stories. Supported with good photographs.
• Review of the impact stories with program and communications specialist.
• Interview COMITAS team members to get an initial background and details of each story.

Key Deliverables / Expectations:

• Submit an impact report of containing at least 10 stories
• Detailed transcript of interviews conducted
• High resolution images of participants taken their signed consent forms

Reporting:

• The storyteller will work closely with the Program Manager and Mercy Corps communications and Learning Specialist.

Payment Terms:

• 50% payment upon signing of contract and the remaining 50% payment after completion of service/confirmation of service completion notes with the submission of final impact report.
• Please note: Mercy Corps Ltd/Gte will deduct With Holding Tax in line with Nigeria tax laws. The second tranche payment of 50% will be made once all works have been certified as satisfactory by both Mercy Corps’ Communications Specialist and the COMITAS Program Manager (or designate)

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Abilities

• A university degree in journalism or related field is preferred but not required.
• Provide a portfolio of professional work that demonstrates consistent, high-quality impact documentation or documentary.
• Excellent communication skills – English and Hausa languages
• Experience in conducting participant interviews and developing in-depth editorials on humanitarian issues.
• Experience doing similar jobs for International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
• At least five years’ experience in doing related works
• Applicant must be resident in Adamawa state and/or willing to travel to COMITAS program location to cover stories.

Application Closing Date
1st August, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified consultant or consulting firm should send their Application to: ng-yolquotations@mercycorps.org using “RFQ 073_Consultant to Document 10 impact Stories for COMITAS Program” as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Information to be submitted:
  • Detailed Work-plan and CV
  • Evidence of similar work conducted
  • Company profile (if applicable)
  • Timeline for final impact report
  • Budget Proposal

Job Title: Field Operations Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports Directly to: Operations Director

General Position Summary

• The Field Operations Manager provides general management and leadership for all program support functions at the field level including procurement, logistics, asset, warehousing, admin, property management and information technology.
• The Field Operations Manager proactively and informatively communicates and coordinates the program support functions with Mercy Corps staff in state office in Maiduguri (Borno State) and other field locations (Damaturu) in Yobe state and Abuja country office (as and when required).
• The Field Operations Manager is a key person within the country, who ensures the resources are planned and utilized towards effective program support.
• The Field Operations Manager plays a key role in the field operations management of the country program under the guidance of the Operations Director.
• As a member of the senior management team at the field level, the Field Operations Manager shares the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Mercy Corps country operation activities under the direct supervision of the Operations Director.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Manage reliable and cost-effective operations and effective implementation of the strategies of Mercy Corps towards the right direction, including supervision of facilities & office management, information technology, procurement, asset management, fleet management and warehouse
• Establish systems to ensure smooth flow of goods into the country through different channels
• Identify different vendor categories in order to respond to the program needs
• Act as a focal point for all internal and external coordination
• Provide overall operational support to programs and facilitate coordination, supervision and monitoring of support activities designed to assist in fulfilling program objectives.
• Establish and maintain pipeline of supplies, overseeing the logistical aspects of the operation; oversee all commodity storage and movements as needed.
• Oversee facility management, including housing, office leases and warehouses; ensure that security standards are maintained at all premises.
• Work closely with program management to facilitate program planning and upcoming procurement resources needs.
• Work closely with program and finance teams to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with MC and donor regulations.
• Responsible for the management of all project procurement functions compliance and control as described in Mercy Corps FP3.
• Supports the program team on timely provision of operations support at a higher level of standards.
• Ensures compliance requirements of Mercy Corps and rules and regulations specified by the donors and sometimes host governments.
• Provides management information for decision making as required.
• Support developing budgets for operations activities of country programs as an integral part of program proposal development and country level budgeting.
• Represents Mercy Corps as required in coordination with country management. As a management team member, the Field Operations Manager will have certain representation at the discretion of the Operations Director. The level of representation may vary depend on the country context (i.e., Local Logistics Cluster, NGO Working Groups, etc.)

Responsibilities of Field Operations Manager:

• As a member of management team, the Field Operations Manager is responsible for but not limited to key responsibilities of management oversight, development and implementation of policies and procedures and resource management.

Operations Oversight:
Oversight, direction and advice on all aspects of Mercy Corps operations management, aiming at the achievement of the following results:

• Successful contribution for implementation of country operations strategies and establishment of management guidelines.
• Successful implementation of operational strategies and direct establishment of management achievements with operations.
• Maintain regular control on operations budget and identify any exceptions or possible implications of under / overspending in a timely manner.
• Promote continuous organizational learning culture with the empowerment of individuals and teams with the identification of learning needs. Create learning opportunities and ensure access to available learning resources.

Implementation of Policies and Procedures:
Implementation of appropriate operations policies and procedures that comply with Mercy Corps policies and procedures and with donor rules and regulations focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of operations with Mercy Corps Global Procurement and Logistics policies, procedures, and processes.
• Provide technical and managerial leadership in implementation of Procurement and Logistics in the Northeast program.
• Ensure ongoing full compliance of Mercy Corps finance policies and procedure and others (i.e. Program Management Manual, National Staff Handbook and etc.).
• Provide expert advice on Mercy Corps policies regarding resource management, tools, etc.

Resource Management:
Effective and efficient resources management in administration, procurement, logistics and IT on the achievement of the following results:

• Ensure effective management of administrative / logistics resources and reporting in a systematic, transparent and efficient manner to country management.
• Responsible for provision of high quality and timely procurement and other program support.
• Exercising management over procurement processes and logistics ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps procurement policies and procedures as well donor rules and regulations.
• Oversee provision of transport and travel support (international and domestic).
• Oversight on maintenance of proper custody of Mercy Corps assets, warehouse inventory and general inventory.

Team Management:

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Work with all Mercy Corps staff to ensure smooth introduction and adoption of operational systems.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Northeast Operations (Procurement, Logistics and Facilities & Office Management) staff

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work.
• We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 3 years management experience in a corporate or an INGO sector, including experience in operational support.
• Sound knowledge of administrative and logistics procedures is highly desired.
• Proven supervisory ability and/or technical skills combined with leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in a diversified multi-cultural and multi-ethnic working environment.
• Skills in managing, organizing, planning and implementing assigned tasks under pressure of frequent and tight schedules.
• Strong ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills in difficult and complex working environments.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills in handling management and coordination issues at country program level.
• Effective verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors:

• The successful Field Operations Manager will be good at problem solving and have the ability to work out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations.
• They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity, while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
• They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment and be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps deep field offices and project sites.
• 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position will be based in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria and may require travel to other field sites 40%. Housing will be in established guesthouses.
• Security in the field locations require additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously.
• Access to good medical services in the field is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.
• 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.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Ongoing Learning:

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together.
• Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis.
• We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have 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 always adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
5th August, 2024

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to the Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org)
• 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.
• Note that Mercy Corps upholds a strict policy against accepting any form of bribe in our recruitment process. We prioritize fairness and transparency in our selection process.