PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps operates a range of integrated resilience oriented humanitarian and development programs in Somalia since 2005. The head office is located in Hargeisa/ Mogadishu with field offices in Garowe, Galkacyo and Kismayu supporting programs across the country. Mercy Corps focuses on strengthening livelihoods, supports early recovery, and enhances community resilience through the provision of agricultural inputs, training and improved market infrastructure. Over the years, Mercy Corps has also strengthened the ability of local actors to resolve land and natural resource disputes, and strengthened good governance in Somalia through Environmental Peacebuilding and Good Governance programs over several years. Mercy Corps is also instrumental in supporting effective public service delivery in education, water and health in Somalia. Mercy Corps implemented USAID funded education and leadership programs; the School Environment and Education Development for Somalia (SEEDS) and the Somalia Youth Leadership Initiative (SYLI) respectively reaching over 150 communities throughout Somalia and increased education and civic participation opportunities for thousands of Somali youth hence reduced instability in the country. With UN funding, Mercy Corps is also providing lifesaving and recovery assistance to IDPs in Mogadishu and refugees from Kenya as returnees mainly to lower Juba (Kismayo). Through the VOLREP program Mercy Corps has so far supported the voluntary returns of over 10,000 returnee refugees from Dadaab (Kenya) at its Kismayu “Home Way Station.”
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Development and Support Officer (PDSO) will work with the Head of Programs, Program Team and DM&E department in backstopping and supporting program activities through regular/donor/one on reports writing, correspondence follow up with donors and stakeholders, coordination with cluster partners, and M&E activities. This will also include supporting program management issues, data collection, and collection of beneficiary stories. In addition, the position also includes program and quality development.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Support:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in line with 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 acceptable 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:
This position requires someone with the ability to effectively carry out duties as outlined in the position description. One should be willing to learn and work in accordance with Mercy Corps policy. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities if necessary. A high professional standard of activity implementation, strong interpersonal and intellectual skills is necessary.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position is short term and unaccompanied. The position is based in Mercy Corps field offices, Somalia- (Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Galkacyo, Kismayo) and it requires up to (30%) travel Nairobi- Kenya. Accommodation is provided in group housing. The Program Development and Support Officer will support activities throughout Somalia. This is an unaccompanied post with likelihood to be transitioned to be fully based in Somalia. This position is eligible for Hardship and R&R.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.
Closing Date: 05 September 2016
APPLY ONLINE HERE
Mercy Corps operates a range of integrated resilience oriented humanitarian and development programs in Somalia since 2005. The head office is located in Hargeisa/ Mogadishu with field offices in Garowe, Galkacyo and Kismayu supporting programs across the country. Mercy Corps focuses on strengthening livelihoods, supports early recovery, and enhances community resilience through the provision of agricultural inputs, training and improved market infrastructure. Over the years, Mercy Corps has also strengthened the ability of local actors to resolve land and natural resource disputes, and strengthened good governance in Somalia through Environmental Peacebuilding and Good Governance programs over several years. Mercy Corps is also instrumental in supporting effective public service delivery in education, water and health in Somalia. Mercy Corps implemented USAID funded education and leadership programs; the School Environment and Education Development for Somalia (SEEDS) and the Somalia Youth Leadership Initiative (SYLI) respectively reaching over 150 communities throughout Somalia and increased education and civic participation opportunities for thousands of Somali youth hence reduced instability in the country. With UN funding, Mercy Corps is also providing lifesaving and recovery assistance to IDPs in Mogadishu and refugees from Kenya as returnees mainly to lower Juba (Kismayo). Through the VOLREP program Mercy Corps has so far supported the voluntary returns of over 10,000 returnee refugees from Dadaab (Kenya) at its Kismayu “Home Way Station.”
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Development and Support Officer (PDSO) will work with the Head of Programs, Program Team and DM&E department in backstopping and supporting program activities through regular/donor/one on reports writing, correspondence follow up with donors and stakeholders, coordination with cluster partners, and M&E activities. This will also include supporting program management issues, data collection, and collection of beneficiary stories. In addition, the position also includes program and quality development.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Support:
- Assist Program in all aspects of Program Management.
- Assist Program Department in work plan designs.
- Assist in Management Plan preparation in accordance with program goal and objectives.
- Assist in program quality and development
- Ensure all CO programs are implemented according to work plan, donor regulations and within a definite timeframe.
- Participate in design and maintenance of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to demonstrate outputs, outcome, and impact and capture key lessons points.
- Advise and take part in any assessments including Interagency Rapid Needs Assessment and any Emergency assessments organized either by Mercy Corps or any other agency for all humanitarian actors.
- Coordinate the project M&E with country M&E systems; ensure organizational learning to improve program quality and sustainability.
- Prepare country level data collection plan and establish system of data in-flow, data analyses and demonstration of results. Develop key relationships and partnerships with other INGOs, local NGOs and donors.
- Assist the Country Director, Deputy Country Director and Heads of Programs on monthly financial reviews and quarterly project implementation and financial reviews, and follow up on budget adjustments (amendment requests) where necessary, according to donor requirements.
- Establish and maintain effective project reporting, evaluation and communication systems for food security and livelihoods; water, sanitation and hygiene, Education in Emergencies, NFIs programs and Durable Solutions (IDP and Refugee Return/Reintegration) Programs.
- Assist to maintain donor complaint budget management; provide oversight to ensure project deliverables are achieved within approved spending levels and in accordance with donor rules and regulations.
- Assist in maintaining proper and standardized filing system for storing program documents
- Establish and maintain effective project reporting, evaluation and communication systems for all CO programs.
- Ensure Mercy Corps' program fosters ongoing positive cooperation with all stakeholders in coordination with the Deputy Country Director (Programs), Program Manager and Program Team and other operation/support teams
- Ensure pro-active and partnership approach in relationship management.
- Efficient and timely communication/information exchange is vital for making effective operational decisions.
- Submit Field Office Weekly Update (Weekly reports) and Country Directors – Biweekly reports for Somalia Programs using a standard reporting format.
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in line with 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 acceptable 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: Deputy Country Director/Head of Programs.
- WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: M&E Manager, Program Managers, Finance Officer, Operations Officer, DM&E Team.
- BA/S or equivalent in International development management or related fields required,
- 3-5 years' experience in international relief and development in Africa, preferably Somalia
- Experience and understanding Food Security and Livelihoods concepts, WASH and Sphere standards
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation and report writing. being involved in M&E
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners
- Demonstrated ability to work in complex programming and volatile environment.
This position requires someone with the ability to effectively carry out duties as outlined in the position description. One should be willing to learn and work in accordance with Mercy Corps policy. The successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities if necessary. A high professional standard of activity implementation, strong interpersonal and intellectual skills is necessary.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position is short term and unaccompanied. The position is based in Mercy Corps field offices, Somalia- (Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Garowe, Galkacyo, Kismayo) and it requires up to (30%) travel Nairobi- Kenya. Accommodation is provided in group housing. The Program Development and Support Officer will support activities throughout Somalia. This is an unaccompanied post with likelihood to be transitioned to be fully based in Somalia. This position is eligible for Hardship and R&R.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.
Closing Date: 05 September 2016
APPLY ONLINE HERE
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