Job Vacancies at 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. 

Mercy Corps has worked in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its programming on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic development, conflict mitigation, and humanitarian response.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP) ADVISOR

PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

The Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE) Programme is an initiative to improve learning outcomes and the economic status of marginalized adolescent girls aged 16-19 in the Northern Nigerian states of Kano and Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria.
ENGINE through funding from the UK Department for International Development’s Girls Education Challenge, the Coca-Cola Company and other stakeholders supported over 18,000 marginalized girls to reduce education and financial barriers in its first implementation phase.
In its second phase, ENGINE 2 will facilitate transition of these girls into functional literacy, numeracy and scale up their business opportunities and linkages.
ENGINE 2 will further increase girls’ and young women’s access to (1) financial education and life skills; (2) peer to peer networks and mentoring; and (3) direct assets (materials and savings).
Beneficiaries will be integrated into value chains as well as conduct other market-driven employment opportunities.
ENGINE 2 will also work with girls in formal and informal education to increase their learning opportunities and outcomes to prepare them for future economic activities and work in the policy environment to provide an enabling environment for girls to flourish in their chosen pathways.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The PPP Advisor will be responsible for ENGINE 11’s PPP initiatives and activities.
S/he will be responsible for exploring, implementing and advocating for opportunities to engage the private sector along with the public sector in creating economic empowerment opportunities for project beneficiaries within their communities.
S/he will provide technical leadership on PPP issues.
This position will ensure ENGINE 11 implementation is responsive to marginalized Nigerian girls, their communities, state and non-state secondary schools, vocational school, and other skill-based centers.
This also includes implementation partners and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.
This position will coordinate with other donor-funded programming to link marginalized girls with ENGINE 11 activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Vision:
Develop overall vision and strategic plan for the PPP unit.
Establish a fully functional PPP Unit and ensure that the needs of project beneficiaries are met when it comes to a PPP programme.
Identify, assess, and recommend potential private sector partners and partnership opportunities.
Recognize and adapt PPP programmes that are sustainable, financed, and delivered by the private sector.
Program Management:

Provide technical leadership for the design, formalization, and management of innovative public-private partnerships.
Provide technical assistance to project partners relative to the structuring of PPPs and outreach to the private sector.
Maintain a database of public-private partnership activities.
Coordinate Advisory Groups activities across implementation states to create an enabling environment for project implementation and promotes girls advancement.
Manage partnerships with relevant Federal and State level Government ministries/agencies, private sector players and development partners.
Build the capacity of communities and local governments to take leadership on PPP issues.
Develop and implement outreach strategies to the private sector.
Team Management:

Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Implement performance planning and management systems, establish performance expectations with team members, and regularly provide constructive feedback on team members’ performance.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Finance & Compliance Management:

Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
Draft and /or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Influence & Representation:

Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with private sector, communities, local governments and other stakeholders.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
Proactively form relationships with private sector actors to complement DfID funding.
Represent ENGINE 11 on PPP issues at technical and strategic planning meetings, or as requested by the Director of Gender Programs.
Security:

Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies
Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.
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.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Master's Degree or its equivalent in a related field.
At least 5 years experience in private sector development, economic development, and/or value chains.
At least five years of experience in design, implementation, and management of public-private partnerships.
Experience leading program activities as part of a donor-funded project within an emerging market.
Experience in working with stakeholders to facilitate PPPs.
Entrepreneurial spirit with proven ability to mobilize public and private strategic partnerships
Strong understanding of DfID compliance issues.
Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues in high security environment.
Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Demonstrated experience working with country-level ministries and government officials, Ministry of Education experience preferred.

Success Factors
The successful candidate will combine exceptional leadership, management and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to engage adolescent girls in informal education and skills building linked with private sector entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in a culturally and religiously conservative environment.
S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours .Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

MANAGER, POLICY AND GOVERNANCE

PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
The Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE) Programme is an initiative to improve learning outcomes and the economic status of marginalized adolescent girls aged 16-19 in the Northern Nigerian states of Kano and Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria.
ENGINE through funding from the UK Department for International Development’s Girls Education Challenge, the Coca-Cola Company and other stakeholders supported over 18,000 marginalized girls to reduce education and financial barriers in its first implementation phase.
In its second phase, ENGINE 2 will facilitate transition of these girls into functional literacy, numeracy and scale up their business opportunities and linkages.
ENGINE 2 will further increase girls’ and young women’s access to (1) financial education and life skills; (2) peer to peer networks and mentoring; and (3) direct assets (materials and savings). Beneficiaries will be integrated into value chains as well as conduct other market-driven employment opportunities.
ENGINE 2 will also work with girls in formal and informal education to increase their learning opportunities and outcomes to prepare them for future economic activities and work in the policy environment to provide an enabling environment for girls to flourish in their chosen pathways.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Manager, Policy and Governance will be responsible for managing ENGINE 2’s overall policy and governance component of the project.
S/he will be responsible for working with government to ensure policies are implemented to allow girls thrive by becoming educated and empowered.
S/he will provide technical leadership on policy and governance issues.
This position will ensure ENGINE 2 implementation is responsive to marginalized Nigerian girls, their communities and the country at large.
This position will coordinate and plan with other donor-funded programs to facilitate favourable policies for girls to thrive.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & Vision:
Lead the development of the overall vision and strategic plan for the policy and governance unit.
Recognize and adapt policies that are favourable and sustainable

Program Management:
Provide technical leadership for the design, formalization, and management of innovative policy and governance initiatives
Ensuring quality and integrity of implementation, including adherence to technical guidelines, administrative systems, and established deadlines
Evaluating the relevance and appropriateness of current and future programming in relation to policies affecting or hindering girl child education and empowerment
Undertaking staff capacity building

Team Management:
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Implement performance planning and management systems, establish performance expectations with team members, and regularly provide constructive feedback on team members’ performance.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management:
Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
Draft and /or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation:
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with governments and other stakeholders.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
Proactively form relationships community members to complement DfID funding.
Represent ENGINE 2 on governance issues at technical and strategic planning meetings, or as requested by the Director of Gender Programs.

Security:
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies
Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

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.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Master's Degree or its equivalent in International Relations, Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, International Development or other relevant field.
A minimum of 7 years of progressive work experience including at least 2 years in a senior management or technical advisory role on large, education, gender- focused, skills building program.
Strong understanding of DfID compliance issues.
Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues in high security environment. Experience managing a multi-organizational team (international and national partners) is a plus.
Experience working in Northern Nigeria strongly preferred.
Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Demonstrated experience working with country-level ministries and government officials, Ministry of Education experience preferred.

Success Factors
The successful candidate will combine exceptional leadership, management and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to engage adolescent girls in informal education and skills building linked with private sector entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in a culturally and religiously conservative environment.
S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region.
Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.

COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR

PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT SUMMARY
The Educating Nigerian Girls in New Enterprises (ENGINE) Programme is an initiative to improve learning outcomes and the economic status of marginalized adolescent girls aged 16-19 in the Northern Nigerian states of Kano and Kaduna, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the metropolis of Lagos, Nigeria. ENGINE through funding from the UK Department for International Development’s Girls Education Challenge, the Coca-Cola Company and other stakeholders supported over 18,000 marginalized girls to reduce education and financial barriers in its first implementation phase.
In its second phase, ENGINE 2 will facilitate transition of these girls into functional literacy, numeracy and scale up their business opportunities and linkages.
ENGINE 2 will further increase girls’ and young women’s access to (1) financial education and life skills; (2) peer to peer networks and mentoring; and (3) direct assets (materials and savings). Beneficiaries will be integrated into value chains as well as conduct other market-driven employment opportunities.
ENGINE 2 will also work with girls in formal and informal education to increase their learning opportunities and outcomes to prepare them for future economic activities and work in the policy environment to provide an enabling environment for girls to flourish in their chosen pathways.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Communications Advisor will provide leadership in all aspects of information management.
S/he will develop a communication strategy for the ENGINE 2 program including developing BCC/IEC materials, newsletters, footages, advocacy guides, and other messaging required for various phases of the project.
The Communication Advisor will coordinate closely with the Senior Manager, Knowledge Management, Deputy Project Director, MEL Advisor and other MEL team members to plan and implement activities that ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ and DFID standards, including the use dissemination of project materials to different stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Actively participate in meetings and processes to promote effective program management (through strong Communication practices) across the entire country portfolio.
Strengthen staff capacity in theory and practical communication through comprehensive training and coaching.
Participate in the preparation of high-quality quarterly and annual reports.
Coordinate internal and external reviews of information collected
Participate in communications-related working groups and maintain close working relationships with other communications counterparts in other relevant international NGOs, local NGOs, and associations in Nigeria.
Proven experience in supporting teams  link the project theory of change to develop a communication objective and plan and coordinate its implementation
Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Knowledge and Experience
Postgraduate degree in communication, international development, gender or any related field.
Minimum of 5 years of Communication work experience in international development required; ideal candidate will have both theoretical and practical background in communications.
Knowledge of program development, implementation and reporting
Experience supervising Communication teams and building team capacity to deliver high-quality results.
Vast experience in producing films, documentaries, drama skits and other appropriate communication materials.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent computer skills, including experience with: any communication software
Familiarity and experience large-scale secondary education or school to work and especially targeting marginalized girls or young women programs preferred.
Experience interfacing with media, corporations and key stakeholders highly desired.
The successful candidate will combine exceptional leadership, management and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to engage adolescent girls in informal education and skills building linked with private sector entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in a culturally and religiously conservative environment.
S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.

TO APPLY
Applicants should submit their CV's and Cover letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org

Note:
All applications must include the position title in the subject line. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
We are an equal opportunity organization and we strongly encourage women to apply for this position.

DUE DATE: 6 February, 2017