Mercy Corps, a global leader in humanitarian aid and development, invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Program Assistant based in Marsabit County, Kenya. This opportunity falls under the Promoting Resilience Inclusivity & Meaningful Engagements (PRIME) by Empowering Youth Futures in Kenya Program, a strategic four-year initiative that builds on the success of the GIRL H and GIRL LMS programs. With a mission to empower 10,000 adolescents and young people through access to opportunities, services, and support, the PRIME Program is dedicated to ensuring long-term, meaningful change in the lives of youth, particularly in Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
This full-time position is ideal for professionals passionate about youth development, community engagement, and impactful fieldwork. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and inclusive team, working in a vibrant yet challenging environment, where adaptability, integrity, and innovation are essential. Mercy Corps encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply, recognizing that strong teams are built from inclusion and mutual respect.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps believes in a world where everyone can prosper and live with dignity. Operating in over 40 countries, the organization focuses on responding to crisis, building resilience, and enabling economic development. Mercy Corps values collaboration, continuous learning, and ethical behavior, with a strong commitment to safeguarding, equal opportunity, and community inclusion.
About the PRIME Program
The PRIME Program is a $2 million initiative funded by the Swinmurn Family Foundation, focusing on youth empowerment, particularly adolescent girls and boys. Building upon the proven approaches of the GIRL H and GIRL LMS programs, PRIME strengthens the enabling environment for youth development by emphasizing health, livelihoods, civic engagement, and meaningful mentorship. Mercy Corps seeks to consolidate five years of programming experience and achieve sustainable change by fostering resilient communities and supporting the youth’s ability to make informed decisions and live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Position Title: Program Assistant – Marsabit
Location: Marsabit, Kenya
Requisition Number: PROGR006104
Position Type: Full-time
Position Summary
The Program Assistant will be instrumental in supporting and implementing the PRIME Program in Marsabit County. Reporting to the Senior Program Officer and working closely with the Program Manager and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team, the Program Assistant will lead on-the-ground activities, liaise with community leaders and county officials, and ensure that program strategies are effectively applied within the local context. The successful candidate will ensure community buy-in, manage safe space groups for adolescent girls and boys, and ensure high-quality data collection and reporting.
The Program Assistant will also play a key role in training and mentoring facilitators and community health promoters, maintaining accountability to Mercy Corps’ core values, safeguarding policies, and promoting gender-sensitive and youth-focused practices.
Detailed Job Description
Program Management Responsibilities
- Assist in the development and execution of weekly and monthly work plans, aligned with PRIME program goals.
- Collaborate with the Senior Program Officer to support the rollout and delivery of PRIME activities and track their performance.
- Organize and facilitate training for Facilitators (FAs), Community Health Promoters (CHPs), and other community actors to deliver PRIME’s technical curriculum to adolescents.
- Carry out frequent field visits and conduct assessments to ensure quality program implementation.
- Work in close coordination with procurement, logistics, finance, administration, and HR to ensure seamless field operations.
- Integrate community development principles, gender mainstreaming, and capacity-building strategies into all PRIME activities.
- Uphold Mercy Corps’ policies, including Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, Child Safeguarding, and Beneficiary Accountability.
- Supervise safe space groups, ensuring that age-appropriate curriculum content is delivered effectively.
- Provide regular mentorship and capacity-building support to group mentors.
Community and Government Engagement
- Mobilize community members and conduct sensitization meetings to introduce the PRIME model.
- Establish rapport with local leaders and stakeholders to ensure community support and long-term program sustainability.
- Partner with local human and animal health workers to provide technical guidance and training to adolescent groups.
- Engage with county departments, especially those of Gender and Social Services, to facilitate group registration, material support, and long-term partnerships.
Participant Selection
- Raise awareness among adolescents and their caregivers about the PRIME program and its objectives.
- Assist in identifying, recruiting, and orienting mentors from the local community to support youth in safe space groups.
- Ensure a transparent and inclusive selection process of adolescent girls and boys for participation in the program.
Partnership Management
- Build and strengthen relationships with local traders, financial institutions, and public/private sector actors to create linkages for adolescents.
- Facilitate planning and review meetings with key stakeholders including NGOs, government representatives, private sector actors, and community leaders to align expectations and enhance collaboration.
Program Monitoring and Reporting
- Regularly monitor the progress and impact of safe space groups through field visits and interaction with participants and mentors.
- Collect and compile monitoring data from the field, coordinating with the MEL team for data entry and analysis.
- Support program evaluations and assessments, including tool development, data collection, and coordination of data enumerators.
- Ensure timely and accurate data reporting through Mercy Corps’ online data collection systems.
- Prepare weekly field reports, success stories, and other documentation as required.
Coordination and Administration
- Provide essential administrative support in procurement, expense management, and logistics for field operations.
- Follow up with relevant departments to ensure timely resource delivery and support for community-based activities.
Safeguarding and Ethics
- Demonstrate an understanding of Mercy Corps’ Safeguarding policies and integrate them into daily responsibilities.
- Uphold the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of program participants and colleagues, reporting any safeguarding concerns using designated channels.
- Foster an open environment where safeguarding and ethical behavior are prioritized and reported without fear of retaliation.
Supervisory Role
- Directly supervise Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Facilitators (FAs), offering them mentorship, training, and performance feedback.
Accountability
- Reports to: Senior Program Officer
- Works with: Program Manager, MEL Officer, MEL Coordinator
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
- Minimum of two years’ relevant experience working with NGOs or community-based organizations in the areas of civic engagement, livelihoods, youth development, or related fields.
- A Diploma in Community Development, Business, Agriculture, Economic Development, or Livestock studies. A bachelor’s degree in any of these fields is an added advantage.
- Commitment to working with marginalized groups, particularly adolescent girls, women, and youth.
- Experience engaging local partners and government stakeholders.
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral, in English and local languages.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Word and Excel.
- Ability to ride a motorbike is required due to the remote nature of the work.
Success Factors
The ideal candidate will be resourceful, self-driven, and culturally sensitive, with a deep understanding of grassroots development. They should demonstrate a strong commitment to accountability, gender equality, and youth empowerment. The position demands innovation, the ability to multitask, and a willingness to work in a dynamic environment. Experience in managing field-based community programs and a proven track record in mentoring others will be critical for success.
Living and Working Conditions
The Program Assistant will be based in Marsabit County, a semi-arid region with limited infrastructure and services. However, individual housing will be provided, and staff will have access to quality healthcare. Up to 40% travel within Marsabit and possibly Isiolo counties is required. The working environment can include remote and sometimes insecure areas, necessitating flexibility and a high level of adaptability.
Commitment to Learning
In line with Mercy Corps’ belief in continuous improvement, team members are encouraged to dedicate at least 5% of their work time to personal and professional learning. This may include workshops, courses, peer learning sessions, or field innovations that contribute to career growth and improved service delivery.
Team Engagement and Diversity
Mercy Corps is committed to creating inclusive teams that reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. The organization fosters a respectful, trusting work environment where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Equal Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other status, are encouraged to apply.
Safeguarding and Ethical Standards
Mercy Corps upholds the highest standards in safeguarding and ethics. All employees are expected to act in accordance with Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct and participate in ongoing safeguarding training. Reports of misconduct during the recruitment process can be submitted via the Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline at: [email protected].
How to Apply
If you are passionate about youth empowerment, possess the necessary qualifications, and are ready to work in a challenging but rewarding environment, we encourage you to apply for the position of Program Assistant – Marsabit.
To apply, send your application via email to: [email protected]
(Note: This is the official email for reporting misconduct. If an application-specific email is provided separately, it should be used instead. The email above is for reporting issues, not submitting job applications.)
