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Job details
Description
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department
Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 and has built a robust and diverse portfolio working to enable Kenyans affected by poverty, climate change, resource scarcity and conflict to be healthy, productive and to drive peace and development of their communities. To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, innovate urban youth employment opportunities, respond to climate-related shocks, address the root causes of conflict, and build the resilience of vulnerable populations – in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized communities.
Mercy Corps is seeking Program Officers for our Resilient Approaches in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems (RANGE) program- Isiolo County. RANGE seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Arid- and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of northern Kenya through natural resource management, livestock market engagement, governance, advocacy and adaptive learning. The program will contribute to sustainable economic and social development in a well-managed landscape.
General Position Summary
The Program Officer is a key member of the program team and will report to the County Coordinator in their respective counties of operation. Program Officer will support the program team in the day-to-day implementation of activities in pursuit of program goals.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM SUPPORT
- Work with the County Coordinator, consortium and Local Implementing partners to support all relevant aspects of RANGE implementation in pursuit of the program goals and outcomes.
- Undertake market actor mapping and implement market system development strategy through facilitating and working with select market actors to deliver sustainable large-scale impact
- Provide updates and analysis of key developments in targeted thematic areas or geographies.
- Identify needs and opportunities and provide relevant information to facilitate the program team’s ability to develop and implement activities.
- Collaborate and synergize implementation with other Mercy Corps programmes in the respective counties
- Under the direction of the County Coordinator, develop and maintain relationships with organizations/ actors in key target sectors (e.g. faith organizations, youth groups, women’s organizations, CBOs/local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), local government officials, etc.).
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
- Work with the monitoring and evaluation team and partners in program monitoring, evaluation and learning with:
- Support with tracking partners’ activities – attending all events in the targeted counties, as relevant.
- Support partners on activity-level M&E efforts, ensuring quality, reliability, and consistency in data collection efforts using program M&E templates.
- Help identify lessons learned from project implementation and facilitate the incorporation of those lessons into the activity development cycle.
- Meet regularly with the program team to evaluate project progress, identify successes, challenges and lessons-learned; and adjust practices as necessary to improve performance.
- Prepare and submit to the program team reports of specific events, field trips and meetings attended.
- Support the team in effectively utilizing established monitoring and evaluation formats and provide feedback for their improvement.
- Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.
SAFEGUARDING
- Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
- Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
- Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.
Supervisory Responsibility
- Program Assistants
Accountability
Reports Directly to: County Coordinator
Works Directly with: RANGE Program Director, Director of Programs, PAQ Department, Partner Staff, Technical Advisors
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in livestock market systems, natural resource management, community development or appropriate social science discipline or related field, preferred
- Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in implementing natural resource management, livestock market systems and/or related projects.
- Highly developed analytical and market systems development facilitation skills.
- Ability to interact effectively with the diverse project stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, and community members
- Experience in project monitoring and evaluation.
- Strong analytical and report writing skills
- Previous experience living/working in Kenya’s ASAL counties required
- Good knowledge and skills with the of MS Office applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access
- Fluency in Swahili and other relevant languages necessary
Success Factors
The Program Officer will have the ability to work effectively communicate with Mercy Corps target populations and partners. S/he will have demonstrated cultural sensitivity and appropriate flexibility to work cooperatively with team members and partner organizations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Marsabit and requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Team Engagement and Effectiveness
Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.
We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. MC does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
