Livelihood and MSD Programme Officer (BRICC) at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps Nigeria implements a variety of programs with the ultimate goal of building productive, secure and just communities. The organization’s programs are implemented in twelve states, mainly in North West and North East Nigeria and Lagos. Our work covers the following sectors: economic development, livelihoods/food security, adolescent girls & boys empowerment, financial resilience, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. Common themes include community engagement, inclusive development, gender, and working in partnership with local government, the private sector and civil society actors.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Livelihood and MSD Programme Officer (BRICC)

Reference Number: YOB/PRO/2019/0009

Location: Potiskum, Yobe State (With an estimated 50% travel to other program locations)

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs
• As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.

General Position Summary

• The Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of unconditional cash (UCT), cash for work (CFW) and implement all aspects of the Agric and Market Systems Development component of CASH & Livelihoods Programme.
• The Officer will be required to apply a wide variety of market development tools and approaches to catalyze innovative services and facilitate linkages between market actors in the assigned Programme areas.
• The Officer will work closely with the Field Manager, Team Leader, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.
• The Livelihood and MSD Programme office reports directly to the Field Manager.

Essential Job Functions

Strategy and Vision:

• Recognize opportunities to evolve the current humanitarian portfolio into a more effective and impactful portfolio addressing the changing needs of conflict-affected populations.
• Recognize opportunities to evolve the current humanitarian portfolio into a more effective and impactful portfolio addressing the changing needs of conflict-affected populations.
• Contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Representation and Coordination:
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective coordination with relevant working groups, UN, ICRC and colleagues I/NGO agencies.

Program Management:

• Work in liaison with the Cash & Livelihood and Agric Market Systems Development Team and sector-focused Technical Specialists, carry out assessments in the target geographic area to assess the current situation, economic opportunities and resources, needs and potential programs as well as obstacles that could be mitigated through MCN engagement with public and private sector actors
• Such assessments shall include but are not limited to rapid market assessments, a local competitiveness assessment, sector selection, value chain analysis and development, and business support capacity needs to the stakeholders of the Programme.
• Support the process of identification and engagement of private sector businesses to expand their business models. This task will include profiling businesses, conducting light due diligence assessments, partnership management and mentoring and coaching.
• Support ongoing positive cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including local business owners, local representatives and community members, and forge links between market actors, producers, end-users, etc.
• Support in the implementation of UCT and CFW activities and administration of the teams across program field locations;
• Develop activity work plans and manage day-to-day activity implementation;
• Support in ensuring that program implementation is responsive to community needs meets targets, and is carried out in line with best practices;
• Support in ensuring that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria;
• Support in establishing and maintain effective program reporting, and monitoring and evaluation systems (to track, analyze and report on results) for both internal and external use;
• Support in Integrating community approaches, protection mainstreaming, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate;
• Support in ensuring 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 in close coordination private sector partners, plan, implement and monitor market system development activities for farmer engagement in economic opportunities. This will include exploring partnerships with private sector actors to design, test, and deliver a wide range of appropriate services that increase effective smallholder farmer engagement within the agricultural market system.
• Assist private sector partners in developing capacity-building materials for business, technical and financial capacities as well as participate in capacity building sessions.
• Offer technical assistance in conjunction with other technical staff to build the capacity of producer organizations to perform marketing functions.
• Work in liaison with Private Sector Partners to ensure strengthening of farmers, associations and rural enterprises.
• Organize /facilitate the training of agro-dealers, commission agents and other intermediaries to provide goods and services that increase the competitiveness of local production.
• The incumbent will also mobilize targeted smallholder farmers (especially women) to participate in the programme for sustainability.
• Identify small business activities any other opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities, especially for women, as identified by the local and national government as well as independent market studies and needs assessments;

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with all donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Oversee the UCT and CFW activity budgets and project monthly cash flow.
• Coordinate with MEL team to map, identify and register program participants.
• Support in the selection of beneficiaries with support from Cash & Livelihood team, MEL Team & Agric Systems Officer.
• Support in facilitating the setting up of VSLA groups to provide safe space for beneficiaries.
• Identify reliable and trusted members locally to serve as village agents for VSLAs.
• Coordinate the sensitization of beneficiaries.
• Coordinate with the protection sector to get village agents trained in psychosocial support.
• Facilitate training of beneficiaries on financial literacy, bookkeeping and smart saving practices.
• Support the market assessment to ascertain the most profitable skills in the intervention locations.
• Work with operations (procurement) to select the financial service provider (FSP) for cash disbursement.
• Support the cash disbursement to beneficiaries through FSP.
• Coordinate post-distribution monitoring with MEL team.
• Ensure the grantees VSLA meetings and small-scale businesses are monitored monthly.
• Ensure effective community engagement to create an enabling environment and ownership.
• Submit monthly program update including success stories to the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

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.

Other:

• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Knowledge and Experience:

• MA/MS/MBA in relevant field required
• Minimum 4-5 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; specifically, in economic recovery.
• Prior experience implementing market systems development programs is very essential,
• Prior experience implementing livelihoods programs is also essential, preferably in conflict settings.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• 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; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors:

• Must be able to work independently and show initiative. Strong leadership, communication, and management skills are essential. Understanding of humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation is required. Ability to supervise, mentor and coach a diverse team.
• Must be able to problem-solve and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues. The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position is based in Damaturu, Yobe State and it requires up to 50 % travel to field offices in and around Potiskum.

Application Closing Date

22nd September, 2019.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letters in one document, addressing the position requirements and location to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note

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