Mercy Corps Job Opportunities in Nairobi Kenya ~ A List of Latest Jobs in Kenya

Mercy Corps Job Opportunities in Nairobi Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve.
Mercy Corps is looking for a committed and dynamic individual to take up the following positions:
1. Sub-Grants Coordinator, PROGRESS Programme – Nairobi
Programme / Department Summary: The PROGRESS Sub-Grants Coordinator will play a critical role in the successful implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters). Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Kenya-based F&A Manager will play a key role in implementation of the entire program.
General Position Summary: The Sub-Grants Coordinator oversees the inner workings of the PROGRESS Consortium partner agreements and sub-grant resources to ensure compliance with Mercy Corps systems, donor compliance requirements, and overall efficient grant management with the aim of timely deliverables, milestones and value-for-money efforts.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

Oversee and coordinate management of sub-grant agreements and financial management of sub-grants

Review and track expenses and proper documentation as per Mercy Corps procedures and donor requirements for record keeping and accountancy

Responsible for processing of sub-grants and issuance of payments, transfers and transactions between PROGRESS consortium members as well as locally engaged partners.

Oversee pre-award and post-award activities include asset control, timely reporting and contract fulfilment to check against payment

Work with PROGRESS Finance and Administration Manager to track budget and expenditures vis-à-vis sub-grant awards and ensure proper reporting, documentation and overall deliverables are reviewed by Senior Management and signed off on prior to issuance of payment.

Ensure consistency across sub-grantees on basic provisions and highlight issues that could be viewed as bias or discrepancies.

Provide regular reports on progress, issues, recommendations that need to be considered for operational adjustment

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting: Work with the PROGRESS Senior Management, M&E and finance staff in Nairobi and home office to ensure that PROGRESS deliverables are aligned with value-for-money objectives and that financial milestones are proportionate to program milestones.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building.

Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of personnel at all levels.

Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.

Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.

Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Program Support Operations:

Ensure that PROGRESS financial systems are efficient and are based on smooth-running infrastructure that facilitate timely and efficient program implementation.

Provide regular review of field operations to ensure cost-effectiveness and provide guidance on improved operational practices for value-for-money. Security:
Work with field office management teams to establish financial reporting and management systems that ensure the safety and security of PROGRESS financial resources including cash assets and records.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Finance and Administration Manager
Works Directly With:
Kenya and Uganda Country Directors and finance teams, Kenya and Uganda PROGRESS Programme Managers, Sub-Grants Coordinator and Sub-Grants Officer, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, Master’s preferred

Minimum 5 years’ experience with grant management, including pre- and post-award management, financial analysis, budgeting and experience with DFID compliance requirements.

Excellent organizational skills with close attention to detail

Excellent communication skills- oral and written.

Must be able to work in a cross-cultural environment with strong diplomacy and negotiating skills. Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 2. Programme Manager, PROGRESS Programme – Wajir
Programme / Department Summary: The PROGRESS Programme Manager will lead the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters). Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Kenya-based Programme Manager will play a key role in implementation.
General Position Summary:
The Programme manager will provide leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the PROGRESS in northern Kenya, managing staff and resources, and consortium members, and to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget.
The Programme Manager will supervise program staff in Wajir and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations.
He/she will report to and work with the Programme Director to engage in program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.
Managing the consortium-related aspects of this project will be key in ensuring the success of the project.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

Provide leadership and strategic vision of program implementation, development and management.

Ensure that program implementation is responsive to government counterparts, communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.

Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.

Oversee performance of consortium partners/sub-grantees.

Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites and maintain strong and productive relationships with various partners and stakeholders at national, local and community levels. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:

Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems.

Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.

Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level. Coordination and Representation:

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director.

Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of personnel at all levels.

Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.

Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.

Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Program Support Operations:
Coordinate with program and finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources. Propose design of new local policies for greater efficiency and cost savings, as needed and in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
Security:

Work closely with the country teams’ security focal points to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.

Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Direct supervision of: Country-level Project officers,
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
Works Directly With: Kenya Country Director, fellow Programme Managers in both countries (where multiple programs operate), and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

MA, MSc or equivalent in governance and public policy, economic development or environmental policy or related field.

At least five years of experience including three years in a senior management position, including at a regional/cross-country level.

Previous experience with and strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and compliance issues

Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.

Experience contributing to donor-funded proposal processes including assessment, design, and writing

Proven understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change adaptation strategies, and resilience programming;

Experience implementing activities in Kenya, especially northern Kenya/ ASALs – with a strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context. Knowledge of and experience working in Karamoja preferred.

Excellent quantitative skills required. Financial accounting experience preferred.

Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partner agencies is preferred. This includes coordinating with government authorities and counterparts.

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.

Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.

Security management experience in remote and insecure environments. Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 3. Finance and Administration Manager, PROGRESS Programme - Nairobi
Programme / Department Summary:
The PROGRESS Finance and Administration (F&A) Manager will play a critical role in the successful implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Kenya-based F&A Manager will play a key role in implementation of the entire program.
General Position Summary:
The F&A Manager will provide leadership in management of the PROGRESS financial portfolio encompassing both Kenya and Uganda, and including the accountancy and financial reporting for the Mercy Corps PROGRESS field teams, as well as consortium partners.
The F&A Manager will ensure regular review of program costs and operations to evaluate performance for value for money and recommend adjustments.
The Finance and Administration Manager will be responsible for programmatic compliance with Mercy Corps standard operating procedures as well as compliance requirements with donor rules and regulations.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

The F&A Manager works under the guidance and supervision of the PROGRESS Programme Director and with direct interaction with the PROGRESS Programme Managers, Consortium Members and the Mercy Corps Home Office Finance Team.

The F&A Manager is expected to be an integral part of the senior management team in-country and work closely with the management, technical and operations field and country teams in Kenya and Uganda.

Support the PD in managing all financial operations of the project, including accounting and reporting, cash management, and budget management.

Provide direct oversight of the PROGRESS Grants Coordinator and finance team.

Manage financial operations and financial reporting of PROGRESS.

Ensure that the project financial operations are in compliance with all DFID and Mercy Corps policies and procedures

Ensure monthly transactions are entered in the General Ledger accurately and on timely basis

Review and process procurements, vendor invoices, consultant agreements for payment

Be prepared to respond to any budgetary and financial inquiries from the donor, consortium members and Mercy Corps senior management within East Africa and home office in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Review semi-monthly payroll, ensuring direct accurate transfer to employee’s checking accounts and remitting payroll deduction to the correct government agencies.

Process and oversee advances issued in the Field Office for field activities and staff travel, ensuring proper process for disbursement of funds, correct documentation and settlement of advances in a timely manner that is in accordance with Mercy Corps procedures.

Manage the timely submission of the monthly field office expenses to the home office

Analyze and reconcile the banking account into accounting system, following up outstanding items

Prepare estimates of projected expenditures and request financial resources from the home office.

Assist in overall management and inventory recording of all DFID property including procurement review and valuation.

Provide financial advisory on overall strategic program decisions. Work with Mercy Corps Senior Finance Directors to conduct ad-hoc audit review of PROGRESS field operations

Other financial and administrative tasks as required and assigned by the PD Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting: Work with the PROGRESS Senior Management, M&E and finance staff in Nairobi and home office to ensure that PROGRESS deliverables are aligned with value-for-money objectives and that financial milestones are proportionate to program milestones. Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building:

Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of personnel at all levels.

Implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing

constructive feedback.

Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.

Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Program Support Operations:

Ensure that PROGRESS financial systems are efficient and are based on smooth-running infrastructure that facilitate timely and efficient program implementation.

Provide regular review of field operations to ensure cost-effectiveness and provide guidance on improved operational practices for value-for-money. Security:
Work with field office management teams to establish financial reporting and management systems that ensure the safety and security of PROGRESS financial resources including cash assets and records.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: Direct supervision of Sub-Grants Coordinator and Sub-Grants Officer.
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
Works Directly With:
Kenya and Uganda Country Directors and finance teams, Kenya and Uganda PROGRESS Programme Managers, Sub-Grants Coordinator and Sub-Grants Officer, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

Master’s Degree (desirable) in Accounting, Business Administration, or other relevant field

Professional accounting certification highly preferred

At least eight (8) years of professional experience managing financial and administrative aspects of large international development projects, preferably DFID-funded projects

Significant experience managing and supervising financial and administrative personnel

Commitment to excellence in financial systems and management, and commitment to identifying and combatting fraud and corruption, and ability to train staff in the same

Computer fluency including QuickBooks and Microsoft applications

Strong analytical and computer skills, with emphasis on budget and financial analysis

Fluency in the English Language, excellent communications and interpersonal skills Success Factors:

The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 4. Communications Officer, YYC Rift Valley Program (Eldoret)
Program / Department Summary:
Mercy Corps’ goal in Kenya is to strengthen and sustain capabilities of Kenyan society and stakeholders to be agents of positive change in their communities.
It achieves this goal through three objectives:
1) Strengthened ability of local, district, and regional structures to manage conflict and become managers of democracy;
2) Empowered Kenyan youth to achieve a greater voice in national reform and create new livelihood opportunities and
3) More resilient drought affected populations in Northeastern Kenya.
The Yes Youth Can (YYC) program is a multi-year USAID-funded program that focuses on building youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed institutional arrangements and capabilities at both national and county levels.
Mercy Corps implements two of USAID’s regional YYC programs—one in the Rift Valley and one in Central region.
In partnership with the County Bungee Forums and SACCOs, Mercy Corps works to achieve the following four objectives:

Mobilize youth and form youth representation structures at the village and county level;

Support youth to exercise a greater voice in local and national affairs;

Increase youth productivity, employment opportunities, and income; and

Increase young women’s access to social, political, and economic opportunities.

Entering its fourth and final year of implementation, Mercy Corps has reached 1.9 million youth in Rift and Central regions and supported the development of over 11,000 bunges (youth parliaments). General Position Summary:
The Communications Officer will be based in Eldoret with frequent travel to Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot Counties in Rift Valley as required.
In collaboration with the Chief of Party, Program Manager and Field Officers to understand the mission, vision and activities of YYC Regional and create effective communications materials.
Similarly collect and compile information about the YYC Regional program for dissemination to program beneficiaries, stakeholders, the government, CSOs and donors as per the instructions of the Chief of Party.
Essential Job Functions:

Provide consistent, reliable, and meaningful communication to various stakeholders in audience-appropriate language and medium

Work with the management team to develop and implement a communications strategy within the budgeted framework.

Provide advice on crafting of relevant program messages and promoting them through established media channels and through direct communications with clients and partners.

Ensure proper and correct messaging of the YYC Initiative by all staff from the bottom up

Communicate to various stakeholders with appropriate frequency and timing

Produce program compelling news releases and newsletters in liaison with Chief of Party and Country Director.

Maintain and further develop our Yes Youth Can website and online presence including the youth social media.

Leverage bunges’ Facebook sites and social media to collect information and stories.

Oversee and supervise printing and design of publicity materials for YYC- Rift Valley.

Keep attuned to the changes and updates needed on the website and other youth communication channels like Face book, Wwitter etc.

Draft stories and case studies of individuals and projects to be used in various communications materials.

Coordinate closely with Monitoring and Evaluation Staff to collective track and collect YYC’s story and impact.

Participate in planning films and videos on YYC Regional programs as well as formatting & editing Quarterly and Annual reports.

Train a cohort of Youth from Bunges and Boards to be able to document and write their stories and share them.

Compile the weekly report from the program managers and submit to the Chief of Party.

Undertake any other duties as assigned. Supervisory Roles: None
Reports Directly To: Program Manager
Works Directly With: Program Managers, Program Officers, Specialists, and Field Officers
Education, Knowledge and Experience:

The Communications Officer should have an educational background in public relations, journalism or marketing, but experience and demonstrated skill set will also be taken into consideration.

Must have a Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree in Arts or Communications or other relevant degree.

Experience and skills from previous employment are a plus.

Must have good organizational, management and communications skills. In addition, must be able to develop communications strategies, and negotiate and collaborate with partners and outside teams such as printer, web team, film makers etc.

Proven ability to work with different computer and software programs and packages and summarize information in different media.

Ability to work effectively as part of team in a cross-cultural and politically sensitive setting.

Professional communicator who can recognize a story and tell it in a compelling way to media, in newsletters, videos and online

Demonstrated passion and a commitment to changing lives of others (especially youth) for the better and inspires others in that passion and commitment.

Strong writing and presentation skills.

Computer skills beyond e-mail and word processing. Some graphic design and publication design skills are necessary.

Should be able to write interesting text to be used on the website, email newsletter, face book and other online communications.

Writing must be grammatically correct and in good standard English

Should be a dynamic team player and a collaborator with strong networking and negotiation skills.

Must be ready to comply and live up to and in accordance with Mercy Corps Kenya ideals and values.

Must have demonstrable good relational skills. Success Factors

Excellent communication and team-building techniques

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment

Demonstrated strong understanding of cultural and social environment in Central Province & Rift Valley.

Willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people

Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with other project personnel

Strong computer and organizational skills

Proactive, creative and problem-solver. 5. Capacity Building Specialist, YYC Central Program (Thika)
Program / Department Summary:
Mercy Corps’ goal in Kenya is to strengthen and sustain capabilities of Kenyan society and stakeholders to be agents of positive change in their communities.
It achieves this goal through three objectives:
1) Strengthened ability of local, district, and regional structures to manage conflict and become managers of democracy;
2) Empowered Kenyan youth to achieve a greater voice in national reform and create new livelihood opportunities and
3) More resilient drought affected populations in North Eastern Kenya.
The Yes Youth Can (YYC) program is a multi-year USAID-funded program that focuses on building youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed institutional arrangements and capabilities at both national and county levels.
Mercy Corps implements two of USAID’s regional YYC programs—one in the Rift Valley and one in Central region.
In partnership with the County Bungee Forums and SACCOs, Mercy Corps works to achieve the following four objectives:
1) Mobilize youth and form youth representation structures at the village and county level;
2) Support youth to exercise a greater voice in local and national affairs;
3) Increase youth productivity, employment opportunities, and income; and
4) Increase young women’s access to social, political, and economic opportunities.
Entering its fourth and final year of implementation, Mercy Corps has reached 1.9 million youth in Rift and Central regions and supported the development of over 11,000 bunges (youth parliaments).
General Position Summary:
The Capacity Building Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that mobilization of village youth bunges, capacity building program and training programs for youth structures, county forums and county secretariats set up, grants implementation and project closure are implemented in an effective and efficient manner.
S/he will work closely with the Program Manager to liaise with relevant authorities and other organizations to ensure the implementation of quality programs in Central region.
Essential Job Functions:

Provide ongoing technical support at the county level and advice to Mercy Corps and County Boards.

Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that the Yes Youth can program is running effectively, making best use of project resources at the county level and effectively providing helpful advice and services to the village bunges.

Assess and develop County Boards’ organizational capacities to successfully implement Yes Youth Can County Board work plans and follow up with their strengthening plans.

Coordinate with County Bards with mobilization and training of youths and support to the village bunges with a focus on civic engagement, livelihood development and other positive social change activities.

Work with the Program Manger and County Board executive to set up county secretariat including equipment set up and training of the officials.

Provide support in increasing young women participation in the program and increased access to opportunities as per program objective.

Plan, monitor and measure impact of program activities in the field, keeping Program Manager informed at all times

Prepare accurate and timely monitoring and field reports, coordinate and collect monthly quarterly County board reports and other project documentation as required.

Attend coordination and partner meetings with county boards and stakeholders and coordinate activities with all involved stakeholders.

Coordinate the procurement processes of all the program activities in the counties of responsibilities ensuring timely paperwork and adherence to procurement procedures.

Stay abreast of project developments and needs and communicate the same to the Program Manager & COP

Supervise 2 Field Officers as well as the County Presidents as they execute the

County work plans giving mentorship and coaching at all times.

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. Supervisory Responsibility: Field Officers
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Program Manager
Works Directly With: Administration/ Logistics Officer, Gender and training specialist, M&E officer, Finance Officer and County Board.
Knowledge and Experience:

University degree, preferably in community development, economic development, youth development or related field;

2-3 years’ experience working with NGOs on peacebuilding, economic development and youth based programs;

Commitment to working with youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;

Ability to take initiative and act independently when appropriate or necessary;

Willing to work in the field with very nascent youth structures with low capacity

Ability to organize events and evaluate program plans

Understanding of working with local partners;

Good spoken and written English;

Good knowledge of MS Office software such as excel, word, and Access; Success Factors:

Hard working and committed to the promotion of Youth Empowerment & Peace in Kenya;

Strong organizational and communication skills;

Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player;

Ability to deliver high quality work in timely manner;

Strong interpersonal skills 6. Gender Specialist, Progress Programme – Wajir
Programme / Department Summary:
The PROGRESS Gender Specialist will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Managers and PROGRESS Consortium members in the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Wajir-based Gender Specialist will play a key role in implementation.
General Position Summary:
The PROGRESS Gender Specialist will work directly with the Programme Manager in Wajir and is responsible for the PROGRESS gender strategy in the context of Wajir and Garissa.
The Gender Specialist will work toward providing a framework of activities to guide gender integration throughout the life of PROGRESS and across all technical sectors with the goal of enhancing absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity for resilience of women and augmenting access to assets, capital and decision-making processes.
The Gender Specialist will provide direct support to the Wajir Programme Manager of PROGRESS to develop work plans per sector/practice area with clear targets and timeframe to ensure a the greatest possible gender integration into program planning, strategic prioritization and sound implementation.
Programme emphasis will be on the role of women in collective decision making around community and natural resources, and the individual capacity for entrepreneurship and active market engagement including value chain activities around livestock products in the pastoralist context.
The Gender Specialist will also play a key role in advising around advocacy, policy formulation and gender sensitive budgeting with local and national government actors.
In addition the Gender Specialist will ensure that PROGRESS team members and consortium partners are actively programming and operating to a high-standard for gender integration into projects for all sectors and practice areas including governance, market systems, gender empowerment, and natural resource management with a focus in water resources management, livestock and rangeland management, climate smart agriculture, and urban issues.
Essential Job Functions:
Technical Capacity

Coordinate closely, work with and the Wajir Programme Manager, Wajir-based Practice-Area Team Leaders and partners to promote gender integration in to the various sector-based activities of PROGRESS.

Develop training series on women leadership and negotiation, including for the VSLA groups, and facilitating community-platform debates;

Development of tools as needed for cross-cutting, cross-cutting integration of women in decision making around household governance, community change, management of natural and community resources, and advocacy for policy and budget formulation that is geared towards innovative gendered approaches.

Promote women leadership skills through VSLA component, engaging men in decision making tools etc.

In collaboration with the Mercy Corps technical support units, set up gender-focused elements of the PROGRESS monitoring system and work closely with M&E team to ensure sex and age disaggregated data is collected and that gender analysis is applied.

Conduct regular community consultations to ensure programming remains gender sensitive and on-track.

Provide technical support on gender integration in various market facilitation activities in Wajir and Garissa geared towards the augmentation of value-addition for livestock products, small business development, and general capacity building for women in pastoralist settings, women in urbanizing contexts, and women who are transitioning between the two. Activity Design

Maximize program participation and increase empowerment opportunities for currently marginalized groups

Collect sex and age disaggregated data while performing proactive and recurrent gender analysis.

Curriculum development for after school programs to address girls and boys and women-focused group series to ensure maximum participant engagement from the beginning of the program while mitigating risk of exposure to gender based violence.

Seek community recommendations on how to best overcome identified challenges like engaging men in nutrition programming to finding meaningful methods to include women in conflict management interventions.

Establish current awareness of the importance of gender-sensitive programming among target participant groups including traditional leaders, government officials, health workers and youth group participants.

Participate actively in the design of the value-chain and small business development activities in rural Wajir County, Wajir Town and Garissa town to ensure adequate gender integration components.

Research & Learning Studies

Design qualitative research from the Gender Empowerment and Decision-making learning study.

Work with the PROGRESS Consortium partners focused on Monitoring and Evaluation and learning and advocacy partners to support and conduct studies as well as learning events.

Gender Mainstreaming

Support development and dissemination gender research

Develop/adapt gender mainstreaming training for Mercy Corps Wajir Field Office, partners and PROGRESS consortium members

Provide gender technical reviews to program proposals, program tools, internal and external communications as needed

Provide direct support for gender advocacy in policy formulation at the county and national levels, along with gender-sensitive budgeting that considers opportunities and mitigates risks to women in pastoralism and those who are transitioning out of pastoralism. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: Gender Officers / Community Mobilizers
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Manager
Works Directly With: Wajir Programme Manager and Team Leaders, Consortium partners and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

5 years of experience in design and implementation of development programs, preferably with a gender focus

Strong background in gender programming approaches

Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject, Masters Degree preferred

Experience conducting research and analysis on gender issues, including leading focus groups or research on sensitive issues

Experience working in the sectors of sexual and gender based violence, harmful traditional practices, the role of women in community-led processes, especially around natural resource management and other sensitive gender issues

Experience in the ASALs and working with pastoralist and Muslim-communities preferred

Experience designing and adapting programmatic tools to address gender issues or to promote positive gender outcomes

Experience working on project monitoring and evaluation

Experience with training and capacity building of team members and partners

Experience with the impact on women and girls of inter-community conflict a plus

Experience working in Kenya, especially Northern Kenya Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 7. Governance Team Leader, PROGRESS Programme – Wajir
Programme / Department Summary:
The Governance Team Leader will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Managers and PROGRESS Consortium members in the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Wajir-based Governance Team Leader will play a key role in implementation.
General Position Summary:
The Governance Team Leader will be responsible for overseeing program activities aimed at strengthening the horizontal and vertical linkages of governance with the aim of community development, advocacy and increased public sector support towards public projects, plans and budgets that enhance resilience.
This includes leading community mobilization and engagement efforts, promoting engagement of local government departments, and advocating for strengthening of policies within the PROGRESS practice areas (water resources management, livestock and rangeland management, climate-smart agriculture, urban economic linkages).
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

Providing research, review, advocacy, coordination and support to policy formulation between remote communities in Wajir, Wajir County Government departments, and national level government counterparts,

Coordinating and supervising the implementation of sub program activities by leading local level Shared Learning Dialogue sessions between the PROGRESS Team and practice area line ministries.

The SLDs will constitute a series of dialogue workshops that engage both public and private sector actors around innovation and learning for greater resilience.

Facilitating technical coordination of technical and financial, budget actors in interventions of the various PROGRESS practice areas to respond to current government strategic plans and community led initiatives.

Maintain strong, up-to date understand of the national and local-level policy environment, including donor initiatives and funded activities and public budgeting processes, timelines and prioritization.

Foster enhanced communication and collective planning across line ministries in a way that honors needs of communities with a focus on gender-sensitive policy and budget planning.

Identify women in positions of community and local government leadership for targeted technical trainings.

Lead the planning and coordination of targeted learning events that emphasize public-sector innovation around public-private ventures.

Support coordination of large-scale infrastructure projects and other elements of an enabling market environment that local and national governments should consider when attempting to invite private sector investment and market activity.

Draw on technical resources from with Mercy Corps and PROGRESS Consortium Partners including the University of Nairobi to forge relationships with local government and civil society as a technical resource.

Strengthen the role of civil society by promoting civic agency, advocacy and participatory planning with the public sector and market actors.

Ensure that women and girls are actively participating in community engagement processes and that issues affecting women are brought in to the public realm when addressing the strategies for government to support community-wide resilience.

Provide support, oversight and technical guidance to local Consortium Partners in Wajir tasked with community engagement and advocacy.

Liaise between PROGRESS Consortium, local government counterparts, relief, aid and resilience agencies and bi-lateral organizations such as UN agencies that support planning and policy for development and management of natural resources and economic development.

Ensure that coordination linkages are drawn between PROGRESS, DDR and Climate Change Adaption programs and that climate-relevant information from these fora are integrated in to PROGRESS community mobilization and engagement efforts. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:

Support Programme Manager in the achievement of program targets and objectives and support efforts towards the design effective M&E systems and operations.

Facilitate the coordination, scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and documentation and communication of reports and learning materials.

Actively record, document and demonstrate all aspects of governance activities for impact measurement and learning purposes. Coordination and Representation:

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Programme Director.

Attend key events, committee meetings, fora, seminars, etc. as they relate to East Africa resilience.

Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building: Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team and consortium members into relevant decision-making processes. Program Support Operations:

Ensure close communication across cross-country field teams and consortium members regarding program activities and plans, challenges and obstacles to timely and quality implementation.

Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff for troubleshooting and problem solving. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: Governance Officer, Community Mobilizer
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
Works Directly With:
Programme Manager, Team Leaders, Consortium Members, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

Advanced University Degree (Masters) in public administration, public policy, political science, or related field.

At least five years of experience including three years in a senior management position in relevant field.

Previous experience with and strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and compliance issues

Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-sector and cross-cultural issues.

Experience contributing to donor-funded proposal processes including assessment, design, and writing

Proven understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change adaptation strategies, public administration and resilience programming;

Demonstrated knowledge of the Kenyan political context including devolution and recent constitutional changes and the geo-political and socio-economic environment of northern Kenya in particular.

Demonstrated familiarity with Somali culture preferred.

Excellent analytical and written skills required.

Financial accounting experience preferred.

Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partners and government agencies is required.

This includes coordinating with local, national authorities and international counterparts.

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.

Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.

Security management experience in remote and insecure environments. Success Factors:

The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 8. Market Systems Team Leader, PROGRESS Programme - Wajir
Programme / Department Summary:
The Governance Team Leader will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Managers and PROGRESS Consortium members in the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Wajir-based Market Systems Team Leader will play a key role in implementation.
General Position Summary:
The Market Systems Team Leader is responsible for leading the implementation of facilitation projects that make market dynamics, actors, institutions and services accessible to households within the PROGRESS focus areas.
These activities will work through public sector enabling strategies and private sector actors, seeking to crowd in provision rather than displace or replicate private actors with donor-funded services.
Facilitation projects increasing access to technical services, improving access to locally appropriate products, developing agent input and aggregator networks, improving service offerings and profitable provision of community animal health services, commercializing access innovative energy products and methods, and expanding the role and relationship of line Ministries in strategic prioritization of investment for economic vitality that contributes to household and community resilience.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

With support from the PROGRESS Programme Manager and fellow sector-focused Team Leaders, carry out assessments in the target geographic areas to assess current situation, economic opportunities and resources, needs and potential programs as well as obstacles that could be mitigated through PROGRESS engagement with public and private sector actors;

Recommend program priorities and explore, evaluate and present new opportunities that leverage impact and/ or complement core activities.

Emphasize the role of, and opportunities for women and girls in the economic realm in both rural roles and in the urban sphere;

Highlight market-based skills which are emerging with urban growth and work with public, private and development actors on efforts to match skills of people transitioning out of pastoralism and urban poor for urban livelihoods and services; Introduce the program to relevant stakeholders including local business owners, local representatives and community members.

Foster ongoing positive cooperation with these stakeholders and forge links between market actors, producers, end users, etc.;

Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs where relevant and feasible.

Provide direct and ongoing field supervision to provide quality advise and technical review in areas related to economic development;

Identify small business activities for seed support through basic improvements or inputs;

Identify value-addition opportunities that strengthen economic opportunities, especially for rural women and urban poor, in the livestock, poultry and other sectors as identified by local government and independent studies and assessments; these will focus on urbanizing areas of Wajir Town, Habaswein and Garissa Town particularly for livestock, and climate-smart agriculture areas in northern Wajir that promotes production and market links for agricultural produce;

Identify opportunities within the long-term plans of Wajir County that can be fostered through progress, such as activating initiatives in the peri-urban livelihoods zone; Collaboration / Networking

Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and local government departments, representing Mercy Corps in coordination meetings and soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate and as directed by the line manager;

Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant stakeholders such as local government departments, NGO’s and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager;

Identify opportunities for social innovation and enterprise that could be launched through catalytic investments from PROGRESS, or public and private sector initiatives;

Guide Shared Learning Dialogue series that are thematically focused on enabling environment for market activity, including long-term infrastructure strategy and prioritization and identification of potential investors and innovators.

Lead the planning of Wajir-based and Nairobi-based learning events, exhibits, workshops that bring private and public sector entities together to collectively review and discuss technology developments and innovation and to examine private sector approaches to household and community challenges that can be incubated through public sector incentives;

Engage with PROGRESS Consortium members such as local civil society and the University of Nairobi around innovation and best practices for new technologies in climate-smart practice, renewable energy and energy saving methods; Monitoring and Evaluation:

Take primary responsibility for district data gathering and documentation of program activities

Comply to M&E systems that will be established to measure program impacts and desired results

Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;

Submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly report that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.

Where needed support external evaluations by research partner Feinstein International Center and other organizations;

Work with the M &E to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field for entry in the database and for preparation of PR materials Coordination and Representation:

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Programme Director.

Attend key events, committee meetings, fora, seminars, etc. as they relate to East Africa resilience.

Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs. Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building: Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team and consortium members into relevant decision-making processes.
Program Support Operations:

Ensure close communication across cross-country field teams and consortium members regarding program activities and plans, challenges and obstacles to timely and quality implementation.

Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff for troubleshooting and problem solving. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: Market Systems Officer
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Manager
Works Directly With:
Programme Manager, Team Leaders, Consortium Members, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

A degree, preferably graduate level, in Business Administration, Economics or Finance is required;

Minimum of five to seven years working for a formal financial institution with orientation to mass markets or within the private sector is required;

Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

Excellent computer skills, specifically in MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint;

Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner;

Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills;

Familiarity with M&E, information, communications and knowledge sharing technologies and use of innovative approaches on digital financial services

Superb networking and negotiation skills required;

Strong analytical and quantitative skills as well as familiarity with financial accounting required;

Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to learn and to be continually adaptive within a dynamic and often self-directed working environment mandatory;

Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously

Willingness to spend much time in the field and work closely with program target groups.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply Success Factors:

The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 9. Natural Resources Management (NRM) Team Leader, PROGRESS Programme – Wajir
Programme / Department Summary:
The Natural Resources Management (NRM) Team Leader will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Managers and PROGRESS Consortium members in the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Wajir-based NRM Team Leader will play a key role in implementation.
General Position Summary:
The NRM Team Leader will be responsible for overseeing program activities aimed at strengthening the horizontal and vertical linkages that support good governance of community assets and resources derived from the natural environment, including the land and the naturally occurring elements above and below it.
The NRM Team Leader will lead the PROGRESS processes for engaging communities, governments and private sector actors in collective action plans that support household and community access to and management natural, physical environment and the socio-ecological systems supported by it.
This can include access to land and water resources for both human consumption and livestock rangeland and watering, plus innovative methods for land restoration and climate-smart agriculture.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:

Engage with remote communities to establish priorities for community-led natural resources management, and lead process for developing community NRM plans

Work in conjunction with local government to advocate for community NRM needs and priorities, especially around rangeland management for Wajir and water resources

Identify pilot opportunities for community NRM plan implementation and manage pilot projects and monitor for possibility of scale up.

Work within national and local government strategic plans for resource management and advocate for cohesive implementation of projects that demonstrates government responsiveness to community processes.

Identify opportunity areas for alternative methods of climate-smart agriculture, such as northern Wajir in the highlands.

Work with Mercy Corps technical staff, Consortium members such as University of Nairobi and local partners to establish locally appropriate pilots.

Work with private sector and line ministries to address environmental harmful methods of extracting local natural resources, such as lime, gums, resins, etc. and use Shared Learning Dialogues as a forum for policy formulation around sustainable methods, alternative energy mechanisms, and water management and conservation.

Coordinate with counterpart agencies and organizations involved in conservation, climate change adaptation for information exchange, learning and optimizing efforts and resources.

Engage pastoralists in inter-community dialogue around access to land and water for livestock management. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:

Support Programme Manager in the achievement of program targets and objectives and support efforts towards the design effective M&E systems and operations.

Facilitate the coordination, scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and documentation and communication of reports and learning materials.

Actively record, document and demonstrate all aspects of governance activities for impact measurement and learning purposes. Coordination and Representation:

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Programme Director.

Attend key events, committee meetings, fora, seminars, etc. as they relate to resilience.

Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Ensure close communication across cross-country field teams and consortium members regarding program activities and plans, challenges and obstacles to timely and quality implementation.

Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff for troubleshooting and problem solving. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: NRM Officer, Community Mobilizer
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Manager
Works Directly With: Programme Manager, Team Leaders, Consortium Members, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

A Postgraduate (MSc and PhD) degree in a related field of expertise (e.g. NRM, pastoral livestock management, animal husbandry, water resources, irrigation, agro-economy, rural development, conservation agriculture, environmental policy, etc.).

Basic knowledge of various natural resource disciplines, including air quality, water quality, geomorphic and hydrologic processes, fire and vegetation management, fish and wildlife management, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, conservation biology and restoration ecology.

Knowledge and experience in either livestock and rangeland management, OR irrigation, water harvesting and water saving methods in arid lands, OR economic feasibility in agriculture and rural development;

At least 8 years of technical and practical work experience in one of the required fields;

Experience and proven track record in rural development and participatory methods (including participatory integrated development plans)

Experience with working with pastoral societies, including dealing with gender issues and complex social decision-making structures / conflicts.

Knowledge of legal, institutional and/or administrative aspects relevant to the topic / in the region

Expertise in organizational analysis and partner/project executing agency assessment.

Expertise in conflict sensitive programme design and monitoring.

Experience in environment and climate change assessments

Ability to effectively communicate natural resource information to diverse audiences through a variety of media Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 10. Programme Coordinator, PROGRESS Programme – Nairobi
Programme / Department Summary:
The PROGRESS Programme Coordinator will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Managers and PROGRESS Consortium members in the implementation of a proposed multi-year project as part of DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters).
Mercy Corps anticipates a programme award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).
If awarded, PROGRESS will be comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 500,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir and Garissa) and northern Uganda (Karamoja).
The Kenya-based Programme Coordinator will play a key role in implementation.
Summary:
The Programme Coordinator will work directly with Programme Managers to support oversight of accountability and adherence to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations, and program milestones and deliverables.
He/she will report to and work with the Programme Director and engage in program representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Implementation:
The Programme Coordinator will assist in overall program management of PROGRESS program activities in both Kenya and Uganda, as well as facilitation of communication and program documentation within the PROGRESS Consortium through support to programme planning, strategy development and communications between consortium members, program management staff and external partners.
This role will also entail oversight of the multi-country activities of PROGRESS to support the Programme Director to ensure cross-country cohesion in resilience messaging, planning, monitoring, evaluation and implementation.
The Programme Coordinator will also support operations around the PROGRESS learning agenda within each of the programme locations (Kenya and Uganda), and strategies for cross-country learning.
As deputy to the Programme Director, the Programme Coordinator will also be tasked with a shared representational role at resilience events and fora in the region and information management as it relates to resilience within Kenya and Uganda.
The Programme Coordinator will also assist with oversight of the PROGRESS communications strategy and lead in development of materials, presentations and other media in accordance with the DFID compliance requirements for the global BRACED profile.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:
Support Programme Managers in the achievement of program targets and objectives and support efforts towards the design effective M&E systems and operations. Facilitate the coordination, scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and documentation and communication of reports and learning materials.
Coordination and Representation:

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Programme Director.

Attend key events, committee meetings, fora, seminars, etc. as they relate to East Africa resilience.

Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Ensure close communication across cross-country field teams and consortium members regarding program activities and plans, challenges and obstacles to timely and quality implementation.

Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff for troubleshooting and problem solving. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: None.
Accountability:
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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
Works Directly With:
Kenya and Uganda Country Directors, Programme Managers in both countries, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Portland, Oregon and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Knowledge and Experience:

MA, MSc or equivalent in governance, public administration, environmental policy or related field.

At least five years of experience including three years in a senior management position, including at a regional/cross-country level.

Previous experience with and strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and compliance issues

Strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.

Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.

Experience contributing to donor-funded proposal processes including assessment, design, and writing

Proven understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change adaptation strategies, public administration and resilience programming;

Experience implementing activities in Kenya, especially northern Kenya/ ASALs – with a strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context.

Knowledge of and experience working in Karamoja preferred.

Excellent quantitative skills required. Financial accounting experience preferred.

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.

Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.

Security management experience in remote and insecure environments. Success Factors:
The successful candidate will have the following characteristics:

A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.

Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.

Excellent analytical and information management skills.

Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.

Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.

Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.

A focus on building staff capacity. 11. Regional Manager East Southern Africa - Nairobi
Program / Department Summary:
Mercy Corps’ operations in East & Southern Africa serve populations in Zimbabwe, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
Fragility and volatility sum up the context within which Mercy Corps East & Southern Africa is working, compounded by very low levels of capacity, endemic corruption and continued rapid population growth.
While in some countries progress towards greater economic prosperity is certainly being made (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia), others are plagued by chronic conflict and stagnant, if not declining, economies.
These are countries undergoing dramatic transitions that have the potential to create significant opportunity for development and change. Mercy Corps is well placed to play a meaningful role in supporting forces for positive change in these countries.
Our path to being relevant and having significant impact will be through the clear identification of high leverage strategies and related resource mobilization, learning about what works in the current context and leveraging regional initiatives.
General Position Summary: Reporting to the Regional Program Director (RPD), the Regional Manager will support strategic, impactful, high-quality programming in the Region.
The position is a key point of contact for field management including, Country Directors and Mercy Corps country teams as well as headquarter support.
Playing a key role in ensuring effective communication between the regional office and the field, the Regional Manager links the country programs to a range of resources and represents the region to relevant stakeholders and other organizations/institutions in the Region.
S/he effectively supports and occasionally leads new program development; assists with recruitment of field teams when required; supports a broad range of initiatives; and assist in the response to all public relations and information-flow needs.
S/he works with the RPD to provide the secondary check and support the RPD to ensure all regional initiatives are adequately supported, addressed and executed.
The Regional Manager will be tasked with identifying and supporting new strategic partnerships with key peer organizations, government and donor agencies, private sector actors and academic institutions; supporting and assisting in the design of regional (multi-country) programming; supporting key office support functions (recruitment, administration, and logistics); and leading the coordination of regional workshops/conferences.
Essential Job Functions:

Backstop and ensures high level of support to Regional Support staff (Resilience, IT, Recruitment, Security, SV), Mercy Corps visitors, and Consultants.

This will include obtaining visas, facilitating travel, and ensuring all needs are met.

Help ensure that new staffs transiting through the Region (Nairobi) are welcomed and properly oriented in Mercy Corps’ systems, procedures and protocols.

Understand donor and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, rules and regulations to assist in monitoring and ensuring compliance. Support in all aspects of administration, HR and logistics across the Region.

Assist Country Directors in the recruitment, selection, orientation and training of Mercy Corps’ program teams upon request.

Liaises with regional stakeholders as required.

Regional Manager represents regional interests and programs to external actors in the absence of the RPD.

This will include attending workshops, briefings, meetings, working groups, and other outside events.

Assists in the identification of partners in research and the private sector for country/regional programs to team with and stimulate innovative programming and improved research and learning.

Includes new corporate donor prospects to expand the corporate portfolio in the East & Southern Africa region.

Provide support to all proposal development efforts and assist the RPD to develop, expand and diversity fundraising tactics and sources in support of regional and country strategies.

Will often acts as focal point for new regional initiatives through coordination of proposal development - monitoring the timeline, communicating to the relevant parties as appropriate.

This may also include conducting assessments and partner negotiations. Work with RPD to assist country teams to develop powerful Annual Plans and country level strategies that capitalize on the potential of Mercy Corps’ innovation platform to have impact at scale.

Mercy Corps should become the acknowledged leader in advancing solutions on a particular development challenge in every country in the region.

Work with country teams to ensure that we learn from experience, assist with learning exchanges, develop interest stories and feed into program development.

S/he will be a skilled writer and synthesizer of diverse and complex information helping country teams generate new insights into their work and improve cross-fertilization of skills, concepts and experience within the Mercy Corps world.

Work closely with the Organizational Learning TSU to ensure the region is plugged into larger organizational learning initiatives, and that regional efforts are harmonized with the larger organization.

Coordinate and successfully organize regional workshops and conferences. 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.

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. Supervisory Responsibility:
Accountability:
Reports Directly To: Regional Program Director (RPD)
Works Directly With:
Mercy Corps Kenya Team, Mercy Corps country offices, regional desks, HQ Program and Technical Support units and departments, Mercy Corps Counterparts at MC HQ offices in Europe and partners.
Knowledge and Experience:

BA/S in relevant international development field required; MA/S or equivalent preferred.

3-5 years of international relief and development program management experience outside Kenya preferred; demonstrated knowledge of relevant sectorial and/or operational areas (agriculture, relief to recovery, access to financial services, health/nutrition, economic development, IDP).

Skilled writer and synthesizer of diverse and complex information.

Experience managing the development, implementation, administration and compliance of US Government, EC/ECHO, UN, private foundation and corporate grants, and related programs.

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 preferred.

Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point).

Experience with monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts.

Experience with proposal development including support and writing with various donors. Success Factors:

S/he is a skilled communicator, able to develop and utilize strong relationships with staff, partners and donors.

S/he will coordinate with his/her supervisor, the Regional Program Director, and be skilled at building highly effective working relationships with Country Directors and their teams.

S/he will harness the expertise, experience and ideas of Mercy Corps’ diverse program support teams.

A robust sense of humor is greatly appreciated. 12. SACCO / Youth Enterprise Development Specialist - Eldoret
Program / Department Summary:
Mercy Corps’ goal in Kenya is to strengthen and sustain capabilities of Kenyan society and stakeholders to be agents of positive change in their communities.
It achieves this goal through three objectives:
1) Strengthened ability of local, district, and regional structures to manage conflict and become managers of democracy;
2) Empowered Kenyan youth to achieve a greater voice in national reform and create new livelihood opportunities and
3) More resilient drought affected populations in Northeastern Kenya.
The Yes Youth Can (YYC) program is a multi-year USAID-funded program that focuses on building youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed institutional arrangements and capabilities at both national and county levels.
Mercy Corps implements two of USAID’s regional YYC programs—one in the Rift Valley and one in Central region.
In partnership with the County Bungee Forums and SACCOs, Mercy Corps works to achieve the following four objectives:
1) Mobilize youth and form youth representation structures at the village and county level;
2) Support youth to exercise a greater voice in local and national affairs;
3) Increase youth productivity, employment opportunities, and income; and
4) Increase young women’s access to social, political, and economic opportunities.
Entering its fourth and final year of implementation, Mercy Corps has reached 1.9 million youth in Rift and Central regions and supported the development of over 11,000 bunges (youth parliaments).
General Position Summary:
The Youth Enterprise Program Specialist is a senior level position with Mercy Corps Kenya.
It will be primarily responsible for providing leadership under objective #3 listed above—increase youth productivity, employment opportunities and income—and specifically strengthening the seven County SACCOs that we work with in Rift Valley.
Activities with the SACCO include professionalizing the SACCOs, strategizing about how to build their membership, SACCO sustainability planning, exploring the development of specific SACCO products, ensuring they hit their targets under YYC, and educating them on compliance for the CMC & SC committees.
Other activities include:
Entrepreneurship training for youth starting businesses after acquiring loans from the SACCOs, developing youth’s job-skills, linking youth to different value-chains and markets.
The Youth Enterprise Program Specialist will be responsible for designing and delivery of livelihoods training, SACCO supervision and management, ensuring timely repayment mechanisms to the SACCOs, and managing consultants.
Essential Job Functions:

Oversee and monitor activities of the seven county SACCOs that we work with in the Rif Valley.

Work with each SACCO to strategize how to build their membership, increase their sustainability and develop products that meet their members’ needs.

Work with and mentor SACCO leadership to ensure that they meet their YYC targets and ensure they are complying with all SACCO requirements.

Provide technical insight and advice for economic empowerment programming especially on SACCO components regarding committee meetings, compliance and employment activities, combining experience with practical on-the-ground identification of opportunities and constraints;

Provide technical leadership in value chain/market analysis to identify business opportunities youth participants. Facilitate or provide business training to YYC youth.

Under the leadership of the CoP, facilitate linkages to respective County ministries and complementary projects to ensure sustainability and ownership Contribute to YYC’s planning and reporting processes as requested by the Chief of Party

Provide training and mentorship to MC staff on Enterprise Development and SACCO strengthening.

Represent Mercy Corps in related thematic working groups within the counties. Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
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: No supervisory responsibilities
Accountability:
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party, Yes Youth Can
Works Directly With: Country Director, Program Managers, other YYC technical specialists, M&E staff, Operations/Finance Staff, other MC Kenya staff.
Knowledge and Experience:

MA/S or BA/S and work experience in Cooperative Development and Management, business administration, economics/economic development, or international development;

Minimum of 10 years of experience in the fields of economic development, SACCO strengthening, or business development and planning.

Demonstrated technical expertise in SACCO strengthening and youth economic empowerment.

Proven ability to work as part of a team and achieve project deliverables.

Demonstrated ability to write compelling reports and communicate clearly in English.

Ability to effectively convey programmatic goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of program and external stakeholders;

Fluency in Kiswahili Success Factors:

Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach

Creative and insightful as regards development programming including the relationships between youth development, economic empowerment, peace-building and reconciliation

Excellent communication and team-building techniques

Proven experience managing and building capacity of diverse teams (expatriate and national)

Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect

Commitment to oversee projects for their duration

Ability to engage with strategic institutional partners as well as current and potential donors NB: All the positions are pending approval of our PROGRESS program by the donor.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before October 27th, 2014 containing a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org.
The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for.
Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. Please do not attach any certificates.
(ONLY Qualified and selected candidates for the interview will be contacted)
NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

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Friday, 3 October 2014

Mercy Corps Job Opportunities in Nairobi Kenya