Jobs Kenya

Company Details: Company Information Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict.

  • Omo Delta Project – Expanding the Rangelands to Achieve Growth and Transformation

    Omo Delta Project – Expanding the Rangelands to Achieve Growth and Transformation

    Invitation to Tender
    Tender Name: Omo Delta Project – Expanding the Rangelands to Achieve Growth and Transformation
    Tender No: MCK/NBO/003/2019
    Correspondence Language(s): English
    ODP Program Overview:
    Mercy Corps is a consortium member for the Omo Delta Program: Expanding the Rangeland to achieve Growth and Transformation, funded by the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) and led by VSF-Germany and implemented in Ethiopia (South Omo, Bench Maji) and Kenya (Turkana, Marsabit). The project period is from January 2018 to April 2021. For both Ethiopia and Kenya, the role of MC is to strengthen livestock, labor and other related market systems.
    The central strategies for the program are based on private sector development and specifically developing local economic opportunities as well as engaging youth and women, into their national labor markets.
    It aims to achieve the following outcomes:

    Increased wealth of young people in particular and especially young women
    Accelerated trade and collaboration nationally and across borders
    Increased stability to promote growth and protect gains

  • Kenya – Venture Growth Intern

    Kenya – Venture Growth Intern

    Job Description
    Venture Growth (80%)

    Post-Investment Support: The intern will provide post-investment support to MCV portfolio companies.
    Based on portfolio company needs, Venture Growth priorities, and skillset, the intern will work with portfolio company founder(s) to scope project(s) and deliverables during the first phase of the internship.
    The intern will work on a key strategic or operational concern for the portfolio companies to help the company grow and achieve its impact potential and financial targets. The intern will work closely with the portfolio company’s management. The intern will engage internal Mercy Corps resources, and external partners (board members, co-investors, etc.) to leverage support as needed.Depending on how the fund and the start-ups evolve, the projects and deliverables may also evolve.

    Scalable Post Investment Systems (20%)

    Support the evolution of current offerings for portfolio companies focused on: products, markets, and impact management
    Develop and improve tools for each offering based on the results with each portfolio companies
    Evolve the knowledge management capacity and tools of the MCV team

    In addition to the primary work streams above, the MCV Intern will join all team calls and gain exposure to the entire investment lifecycle. He/she/they may have the opportunity to assist in the technical evaluation of investment opportunities.
    Learning Objectives
    Through the internship, the intern will acquire:

    Deep, hands-on experience in the delivery of effective post-investment support to startups in frontier markets.
    Exposure to Kenyan/East African entrepreneurial ecosystem, tech sector, investors/venture capital, and government and policy actors.
    Insight into investment landscaping, sourcing, and analysis.
    Exposure to portfolio management and the investment lifecycle.
    Exposure to innovation in the development sector.
    Experience researching and landscaping a specific sector in East Africa region.

    Deliverables
    Final deliverables will be determined two-weeks prior to the start of the internship. Specific projects are designed based on the fluctuating demands of portfolio companies. A successful candidate has a broad toolkit, and will be able to dive into an array of different types of technical assistance projects.
    The Ideal Candidate

    MBA or equivalent experience,
    5 years experience developing businesses either in management consulting, finance or as part of an enterprise,
    Direct experience in the management and operations of a business and a successful record of implementation,
    Entrepreneurial mindset
    Experience with development of a business from early stage conceptualization through scale,
    Strong financial modeling, business planning, due diligence, competitive analysis, and valuation skills and experience,
    Experience in process mapping and tools that support efficiency and workflow mapping,
    Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to get things done,
    Strong strategic thinking skills. Able to navigate complex environments and develop a clear, focused, and ambitious vision,
    Prior demonstrated interest in creating positive social impact,
    Ability to work collaboratively, build trust and facilitate change in organizations,
    Experience working across a distributed team.

    Mercy Corps interns and team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and 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.
    Diversity is powerful. To achieve transformational change, we seek out team members with different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking. Diversity helps us unlock complexity.

  • Kenya Youth Employment Strategy Development Consultancy

    Kenya Youth Employment Strategy Development Consultancy

    Tender No: MCK/NBO/002/2019
    Location: Nairobi, Kenya
    Correspondence Language(s): English
    Background: Mercy Corps is a leading implementer of employment programmes in Kenya and across the globe supporting vulnerable beneficiaries, in particular youth, to access new or enhanced employment opportunities.
    These programs aim to emphasize a market systems development (MSD) approach that considers how the entire labor market supports or constrains access and opportunity for job seekers- who are our key beneficiaries- in order to inform interventions that address constraints and strengthen labor markets.
    Those interventions range from skills building for job seekers (addressing supply-side issues), to job creation through creation of formal wage employment opportunities and support to informal entrepreneurs (demand-side), to interventions focused on job-matching and linkages (intermediation).
    We recognize that there are multiple opportunities/challenges to implementing these programs in Kenya, which include:

    Dynamic donor landscape focused on the youth employment challenge including interest from bilateral donors as well as corporate and foundation donors.
    Competitive environment with many NGOs and private sector actors with compelling strategies competing for donor resources.
    Multiple Mercy Corps initiatives including traditional donor-supported programs, social venture support to high-potential entrepreneurs, and innovative hybrid programs, some of which overlap on both partners and beneficiaries.
    Cross-cutting nature of youth employment programming, with virtually all of our livelihoods programs in the region including activities related to youth employment. These include agriculture programs that consider on- and off-farm jobs, programs that support last-mile product access that include developing distribution networks, or refugee integration programs that have context-specific skills building and employment activities.

    Underlying all of this work is the growing importance and influence of technology in strengthening labor markets. We are seeing increasing opportunities to use technology to enable stronger labor markets (i.e. web-based job matching platforms), to drive new kinds of self-employment (informal gig work), and to support tech jobs (i.e. programming and freelancing). This exploding dynamic is especially impactful in Nairobi and other large cities and is disrupting traditional roles and functions within labor markets.
    Given this context, we have identified the need for immediate support to respond and position Mercy Corps to take advantage of upcoming business development opportunities, and facilitate better regional positioning and coordination around programs that focus on or incorporate activities to promote youth employment.

  • Program Support Internship

    Program Support Internship

    Program Description: Mercy Corps is implementing the pilot phase of The Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund. The Kenya Catalytic Jobs Fund is a 4-year job creation program, funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID).
    The program will, through a mix of technical assistance and grant support, test competitively selected innovations that have potential to unlock market constraints and create jobs, including for the most vulnerable, e.g. those living with disability.
    General Position Summary: The internship will provide a unique opportunity to gain hands on experience in conducting rapid business analysis, ecosystem mapping and develop presentation decks. The intern will have an opportunity to work with a team of experienced business analysts to review hundreds of businesses and develop concise assessments.
    The Intern will support the team through the following activities:

    Ecosystem mapping: Conduct desk research and map innovations focused on Agriculture/ Manufacturing, the informal sector and improving income and livelihoods for marginalized groups and geographies;
    Communication: Extensively use social media platforms to publicize the program’s funding opportunity;
    Proposal review: Review submitted proposals, score each proposal against set criteria and document review process in accordance to set fund guidelines;
    Develop pitch presentations: Work closely with the Partnership Engagement Analyst to support development of pitch presentations.

    Learning Objectives

    To learn how to effectively develop concise ecosystem maps that provide a high level overview of innovators in each priority sector;
    To learn practical rapid business assessment skills including high level financial, market and impact evaluation;
    To learn how to develop concise, effective pitch decks.

    At the completion of this internship, the intern will:

    Have the ability to conduct rapid business assessments including evaluating viability of business models and impact potential;
    Put into practice into use skills and knowledge on marketing and communication;
    Gain experience in making effective presentations for external audiences.

    Deliverables:

    Ecosystem map of at least one priority sector
    Proposal review scoring sheets with detailed summary of recommendations
    At least 3 pitch presentation decks

    Ideal candidate should possess the following qualifications:

    Recent graduate or a student in the last year of study pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in business, economics, finance or a related field;
    Proven ability to develop clean, well formatted PowerPoint presentations;
    An understanding of the principles of business evaluation;
    Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential;
    Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks successfully;
    Must be comfortable working in a cross-cultural environment.

  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead – Kenya

    Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead – Kenya

    Program / Department Summary
    Mercy Corps anticipates applying for funding for a five-year USAID Food for Peace (FFP) Activity to support agriculturalists, agro-pastoralists, and pastoral households living in Northern Kenya. The program will contribute to the goal of achieving food security in the target counties in Kenya, through integrated interventions in community level governance, preventing chronic malnutrition, sanitation and hygiene and sustainable livelihoods.
    General Position Summary
    The MEL Lead will provide technical expertise and leadership to generate and analyze quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations to a five-year, multi-million dollar USAID/Food for Peace funded Development Food Security Activity (DFSA). S/he will manage staff, resources and coordinate closely with partners to fulfill the M&E requirements of the program as well as promote evidenced-based decision-making, adaptive management, and a culture of learning.
    Essential Job Responsibilities
    MEL Management and Leadership

    Work closely with the Chief of Party to ensure that program deliverables are being met according to established plans.
    Sit on the program board and provide advice and guidance to ensure the program is on time, on scope, and on budget.
    Plan and lead all MEL activities. Set-up and oversee the MEL system, including all tools and data collection processes.
    Supervise all sub-contractors involved in data collection activities, including routine monitoring systems, annual surveys, evaluations, and review their standards for data collection.
    Update MEL and project management systems to reflect program progress and needs; ensure proper usage of these systems by program staff.
    Perform advanced analysis of program quantitative and qualitative data. Present analysis and periodic reporting in consultation with technical staff.
    Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance, impact, and reach.

    Data Quality and Management

    Develop and implement Data Management Plan, including data flow diagrams, Standard Operating Procedures, Data Quality Assurance, and PIRS.
    Oversee development and implementation of appropriate tools and systems for data collection, management, validation and analysis of performance indicators.
    Promote responsible data practices and comply with Mercy Corps and industry data collection, file storage, and information sharing standards.

    Team Management

    Train project team members and partners on the importance of MEL and their respective MEL responsibilities.
    Hire, orient, and directly manage MEL staff in day-to-day MEL activities and develop capacity of this team.
    Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
    Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
    Work closely with the program, administration, and operations teams to ensure successful support for MEL functions.

    Learning and Adaptive Management

    Be the focal point for developing, updating and fulfilling a program-wide learning agenda, ensuring consistent application of the learning agenda through program design, implementation, assessment and communication across all program staff.
    Play a leadership role for the program in communicating learning and participating in learning events, including workshops, conferences and annual learning events with program and Kenya stakeholders.
    With COP, develop culture and systems for collaborate, learn, adapt (CLA) to embed evidenced-based decision-making into the program at all levels. Be a champion of, and visionary for, making program data accessible to and applicable for learning and adaptive management.
    To promote learning, oversee specific learning communications and publications such as case studies, impact studies, blogs, and lessons learned documents, as well as strategies for their use.

    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 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
    DFSA MEL Team
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: Chief of Party
    Works Directly With: DFSA team, DFSA partners, Mercy Corps Kenya country office, Mercy Corps Kenya MEL manager, and Mercy Corps headquarters support including PaQ/MEL team.
    Knowledge And Experience

    Technical experience leading M&E including building or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design and effectively promoting evidence-based program management for USAID and other donor-funded programs of similar size and scope.
    Knowledge of Food for Peace Title II M&E requirements is necessary. Previous experience in FFP programming strongly preferred included demonstrated experience with developing and operationalizing monitoring and evaluation plans, PIRSs, and IPTTs.
    A master’s degree in a quantitative field (economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, bio-statistics; nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject) with significant training in quantitative methods
    Eight years relevant experience, or a PhD in any of the stated field of study above, with at least six years relevant work experience is required.
    Experience in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan including TOCs, logic models, food and nutrition security indicators, M&E plans, data quality assurance, data utilization, and gender integration into M&E.
    Demonstrated experience with large-scale data management systems, including mobile data collection tools, databases, web applications, statistical packages, and visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI),
    Previous staff management experience of similar size teams required, and record of strategic visioning, leadership, and inspiring teams.
    Persuasive written and oral communication in English, including report writing.
    Experience in the Kenya or Horn of Africa preferable.
    Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
    Fluency in Swahili preferred.

    Success Factors
    The successful MEL Lead will combine strong technical skills with leadership and management skills. S/he will have an outstanding ability to guide MEL systems to inform program decision-making while also providing evidence for impact. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. 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.
    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    The position is based in Nairobi with 50%+ travel to implementation areas. Nairobi is accompanied and secure. Housing is family accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are many international schools in Kenya. Staff have a high degree of access to services (medical, electricity, water, etc). This position requires travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments with only basic amenities. This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
    Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
    Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

  • Strategic Learning Lead

    Strategic Learning Lead

    Program / Department Summary
    Mercy Corps anticipates applying for funding for a five-year USAID Food for Peace Activity to support agriculturalists, agro-pastoralists, and pastoral households living in Northern Kenya. The program will be an integrated food security and activity with a goal of sustainably reducing levels of acute malnutrition in the target counties in Kenya.
    General Position Summary
    The Strategic Learning Lead will lead the program’s approach to collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) and adaptive management. Working closely with the project’s research and M&E teams, the Strategic Learning Lead will play a critical role in translating formative and implementation research findings (Phase 1) into an evidence-based activity design for the Phase 2 Transition Plan and for Phase 2 implementation. S/he will ensure the activity includes active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across its activities as well as ensure collaboration and learning across other projects in the implementation area. The strategic learning lead will improve peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, evidence and data utilization, and CLA. This position will play a key role in helping build an environment of evidence-based programming and adaptive management at all levels.
    Essential Job Responsibilities
    Strategy & Vision

    Work closely with M&E, research, and partner staff to develop comprehensive learning strategies and agenda during start-up, which are incorporated in annual workplans and regularly updated.
    Work with CoP and senior management team to ensure adaptive program management and CLA principles are incorporated at start-up and throughout implementation
    Participate in Senior Management Team to set strategic vision for the program, including how research will be integrated into the program design and implementation

    Program Management

    At start-up, develop a program-wide strategy and supportive systems/structures for adaptive management and CLA. During both the research and implementation phases, oversee the execution and adaptation of the CLA strategy.
    Ensure pilots activities and other parts of program interventions are designed to incorporate research to answer questions around what strategies to replicate, scale, or discontinue
    Support project staff and partners to implement, monitor and review pilot activities linked to the program’s research agenda and to develop a culture of reflection and learning
    Lead staff and partners in regular reviews of program activities to reflect on programmatic learning based on implementation experience and monitoring data, to review and revise results chains and theories of change, and suggest programmatic changes
    Promote and nurture a culture of reflection, critical thinking and learning within the project and among project staff and partners
    Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites – spend up to 50% of time in the field.

    Team Management

    Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
    Set a team culture valuing learning and adaptive management in support of an ongoing resilience approach in programming
    Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

    Influence & Representation

    Write and actively disseminate CLA experiences/lessons in case studies.
    Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
    Actively disseminate research results both in country to relevant external actors as well as regionally/globally.
    Represent the program and Mercy Corps with government, donors, and other implementing partners as directed by the Chief of Party.

    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, specificallyto 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
    DFSA CLA Team
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: Monitoring and Evaluation Lead
    Works Directly With: DFSA team
    Knowledge and Experience

    A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years relevant experience or an advanced degree (PhD or master’s) plus a minimum of three years relevant work experience is required.
    Technical expertise and field experience in applying CLA and adaptive management principles in international development programming
    History of working effectively and respectfully with host government, NGOs, contractors and other partners
    Strong understanding of M&E and applied research
    Experience managing or collaborating with research partners
    Demonstrated capabilities of translating knowledge and evidence from research and M&E into programmatic and policy decisions
    Excellent written communications, including the ability to tailor communications to program and policy audiences at multiple levels
    Fluent English required, Swahili preferred.

    SUCCESS FACTORS:

    Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership
    Propensity towards creative and insightful programming
    Excellent communication and team-building skills
    Proven experience managing and building capacity of diverse teams (expatriate and national)
    Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect

    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    The Strategic Learning Lead is based in Nairobi with 50%+ travel to implementation areas. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are numerous International schools in Kenya. Staff have a relatively high degree of access to health and utility services (hospitals, clinics, electricity, water, etc). This position requires frequent travel by road and air to field offices in less secure environments, where basic amenities are lacking (no running water, and limited electricity without generators). This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
    Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
    Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

  • Africa Communications and Media Manager – Kenya

    Africa Communications and Media Manager – Kenya

    Program / Department Summary
    The Media Relations team is a small but dynamic group of professionals dedicated to getting the word out about Mercy Corps’ outstanding work to help people around the world survive through crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. The team strives to raise Mercy Corps’ public profile by working with international press and supports the agency’s fundraising and advocacy efforts.
    General Position Summary
    The Communication and Media Manager supports the global Media Relations team and Africa regional leadership team in articulating programmatic impact in our communities to advance profile-raising, advocacy and fundraising goals. S/he will actively enhance and grow Mercy Corps media network in Africa and elevate our reputation as a reference point for an informed and meaningful voice on key issues in the region. S/he will work on improving internal communications within the region to further accent achievements of the greater team. The Communication and Media Manager reports to the Communications Director and works in close partnership with the Regional Team and Country Directors.
    Essential Job Responsibilities
    Strategy & Vision

    In coordination with the Regional Team and the Global Media Relations team, develop and implement Africa communications and media engagement in line with the global Mercy Corps communications strategy.
    Contribute to the analysis of topics and events relevant to Mercy Corps’ work in Africa.
    Serve as the primary point person for all queries related to the Mercy Corps brand in the Africa and work in close collaboration with the Global Brand team to ensure brand efforts are in line with the wider global brand strategy.

    Media and Communications Management

    Serve as a point person for media queries for Mercy Corps Africa in coordination with the assigned Global Media Leads on various issues and serve as a spokesperson when required.
    Identify media trends that could constitute an opportunity or a threat for Mercy Corps.
    Develop and implement media outreach plans; coordinate with fundraisers, brand marketing and web content experts to align storytelling and maximize value of outreach.
    Deploy to countries across the continent when needed to research stories, conduct media outreach, and gather stories, photo and video content.
    Attend internal and external communication and media meetings and events.
    Strengthen and expand Mercy Corps’ network of Africa contacts in traditional and social media domains, in coordination with global efforts.
    Initiate and/or support the production of communication and media materials for Africa, including talking points, news releases, contributed pieces and fact sheets.
    Actively work with Country Directors and teams on content gathering based on data analysis and learning generated from programs.
    Support Country Directors and teams in content review for public outreach material.
    Support the global team in content and information gathering for multiple purposes, including media engagement, advocacy and fundraising.
    Serve as an active member of any regional crisis and response planning and action.
    Assist global communications team with other duties (backfill) as needed.

    Team Management
    Assist country-level communications members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
    Security

    Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
    Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

    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, specificallyto 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
    N/A
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: Director of Communications
    Works Directly With: Africa: Country Directors; Regional Team; Global Media Team; Communication and Marketing Team; Advocacy and Influence Team
    Knowledge and Experience

    BA/S or equivalent required; MA/S in related field – journalism, public policy, international affairs – preferred.
    5-7 years of professional experience in media relations or journalism required.
    Demonstrated ability to work within a geographically dispersed team.
    Established track record of generating positive media coverage in U.S. and European national and international outlets.
    Superior written and verbal communications skills a must; ability to “translate” technical language into compelling stories needed.
    Proven experience in international relief and development communications;
    Knowledge of print, web, graphics and email dissemination;
    Ability to work independently and take initiative;
    Willingness to learn and collaborate with others, strong team player;
    Commitment to capacity building required;
    Knowledge of Kenyan and East African press and communication channels and netwoks;
    Fluency in spoken and written English required as well as French fluency beneficial.

    Success Factors
    The successful Communications and Media Manager will be a proactive PR professional and excellent storyteller and writer with a nose for news. S/he will be a self-starter who can work independently or in a team setting, can take on a leadership and mentoring role for staff, and is able to forge productive relationships with colleagues throughout the agency. S/he must have a deep interest in Mercy Corps’ programs and a commitment to the goals of the organization. S/he needs to be able to prioritize, multi-task and organize many urgent tasks, often under intense deadline pressure. This person will demonstrate creativity and flexibility, as well as a proven ability to learn quickly and be accountable for results. Even temperament and a good sense of humor appreciated.
    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
    Housing is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services; the living situation is of a high standard. Water and electricity are present with occasional cuts. This position requires travel within Africa up to 40%.

  • Community Facilator

    Community Facilator

    PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: The is a five-year USAID-funded Kenya Feed the Future (FtF) Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Activity for northern Kenya. This activity will contribute to USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative and specifically will improve households’ income, productive assets and resilience to drought and other shocks.
    GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Community Facilitator will be responsible for execution of the Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihoods (GIRL), a 9-month adolescent girl personal agency empowerment safe space model aimed at supporting human capital development for resilient individuals who are well placed for commercial engagement.
    S/he will focus on community adolescent girls engagement, including the identification, recruitment and retention of training girls and participants; the establishment of partnerships with key community members (elders, religious leaders, government officials); and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities.
    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

    Contribute to the successful implementation of Girls Improving Resilience with Livestock and Learning activities.
    Implement a 9-month adolescent girls’ personal agency empowerment safe space model.
    Manage adolescent girls safe space groups in collaboration with the GIRL mentors.
    Provide mentorship to up to 30 GIRL mentors every year.
    Support the GIRL Officer with conducting trainings on basic education (numeracy & literacy), WASH and nutrition awareness campaign, financial literacy and reproductive health.
    Support and guide the GIRL mentors to deliver trainings to adolescent girls.
    Support with community mapping activities.
    Represent Mercy Corps in Kerio/Kanamkemer ward at the community level interactions.
    In coordination with the GIRL Project Officer, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact and document lessons learned.
    Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.

    MOBILIZING

    Mobilize the community for events related to GIRL activities.
    Take part in the identification and recruitment of girls in the community to participate in safe space groups.

    MONITORING AND REPORTING

    Monitor the GIRL safe space groups on a daily basis and upload all data collected data on a weekly basis.
    Prepare weekly GIRL group monitoring reports.
    In collaboration with GIRL Project Officer, report on the businesses and savings groups’ performances via the GIRL group monitoring tool.

    OTHER

    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.

    KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

    Minimum of 1 year experience working with an NGO/CBO in a Livelihoods, Education, Community Development/Engagement program.
    Diploma in Community Development, Social Work, Gender Studies or any other related field.
    Basic computer skills knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
    Commitment to working with women, girls, youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender.
    Experience in data collection and data entry is an added advantage.
    Experience with mentorship of girls.
    Experience facilitating trainings.
    Good written and oral communication skills.
    Strong written and spoken English and Kiswahili. Local language skills are required.

    SUCCESS FACTORS
    The successful candidate will have the ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a diverse team.
    S/he will have good representation and problem solving skills.
    Attention to detail and analytical skills are essential for the role.
    The Community Facilitator will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level.

  • Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL) Officer

    Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL) Officer

    Program / Department Summary: Mercy Corps has been operating in Kenya since 2008, focusing its interventions around four objectives:

    Peace and Conflict Management;
    Livelihood/Market Systems;
    Governance (particularly at the county level); and
    Youth Employment / Employability (including the social and economic development of adolescents).

    The four objectives serve to increase community resilience to drought and other shocks and stresses, and to decrease fragility with a particular focus on Kenya’s Arid Lands. Mercy Corps’ vision for change requires the private sector, government and civil society to work together to create meaningful and sustainable change.
    Mercy Corps is recruiting one GIRL Officer to support human capital development for resilient individuals who are well placed for commercial engagement for a five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future (FtF) Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Development Activity for northern Kenya.
    This position will support the Strengthening Community Capacities for Resilience and Growth component which is part of USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative and specifically will improve households’ income, productive assets and resilience to drought and other shocks.
    Specific areas of focus include strengthened and sustained rangeland and water management; strengthened drought risk management; strengthened conflict management; improved and sustained health, nutrition, and hygiene practices; improved literacy, numeracy, and life skills; and collaborative action and learning for community empowerment.
    General Position Summary: The GIRL Officer will be responsible for technical oversight and management of the Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL), a 9-month adolescent girl personal agency empowerment safe space model aimed at supporting human capital development for resilient individuals who are well placed for commercial engagement.
    S/he will define implementation strategies in coordination with the County Project Coordinator, Deputy Chief of Party and leadership team. GIRL Officer will train staff and partners, providing them with technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities. S/he will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results.
    The GIRL Officer will keep abreast of changing contexts and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies.
    S/he will work closely with our partner ACDI/VOCA, who will be leading the implementation of the LMS, and look for opportunities to link programming and clients with their programming and programming across the LMS.
    Essential Job Functions:

    Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of GIRL and Learning activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact;
    Provide technical guidance on a 9-month adolescent girls personal agency empowerment safe space model and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy
    Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles;
    Engage community members (community representatives, teachers, religious leaders, government officials and gatekeepers) to form an Advisory Committee to support and inform program activities;
    Organize community events to sensitize communities on human capital development for resilient communities;
    Assist in the creation of technical curricula, basic education (numeracy & literacy), basic nutrition literacy, WASH awareness and campaign, financial literacy and reproductive health;
    Participate in recruitment and train Community Facilitators and Girl mentors to deliver technical curricula to girls;
    Identify and recruit girls in the community to participate in safe space groups;
    Identify and engage local animal and human health workers to provide training and technical assistance to safe space groups;
    Monitor and track the success and failures of safe space groups;Link women to other traders, markets, financial institutions, public and private institutions;Implement monitoring and evaluation tools;
    Play a key role in the development of intervention designs, sector strategies and M&E frameworks;
    Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;
    Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
    In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned;
    Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities;
    Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
    Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one and performance reviews;
    Orient and lead team Community Facilitators.
    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.

    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.
    Supervisory Responsibility: Community Facilitator and GIRL mentors
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: County Project Coordinator with a dotted line to WASH/Nutrition Advisor
    Works Directly With: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Livelihood Officer, Technical Advisors, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, Partner Organizations, and broader LMS team.
    Knowledge and Experience:

    Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, livelihoods and education;
    Degree in Community Development, Economic Development, Business, Agriculture, Livestock or related field or diploma with over 3 years’ experience;
    Should have knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection, reporting techniques and should understand and be able to apply basic measures of central tendency and spread;
    Commitment to working with Women, Girls, youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;
    Understanding of working with local partners and commitment to working with BOMA Project and LMS team;
    Good problem solving, written and oral communication skills;
    Strong written and spoken English and Swahili;
    Local language skills required;
    Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a mixed team;
    Good knowledge of MS Office software such as Excel, Word, and Access.

    Success Factors: S/he will combine exceptional facilitation skills and capacity to work with different stakeholders including the greater LMS team. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for women and adolescent girls.
    The GIRL Officer will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
    S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. 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.

  • Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL) Officer

    Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL) Officer

    Program / Department Summary: Mercy Corps has been operating in Kenya since 2008, focusing its interventions around four objectives:

    Peace and Conflict Management;
    Livelihood/Market Systems;
    Governance (particularly at the county level); and
    Youth Employment / Employability (including the social and economic development of adolescents).

    The four objectives serve to increase community resilience to drought and other shocks and stresses, and to decrease fragility with a particular focus on Kenya’s Arid Lands. Mercy Corps’ vision for change requires the private sector, government and civil society to work together to create meaningful and sustainable change.
    Mercy Corps is recruiting one GIRL Officer to support human capital development for resilient individuals who are well placed for commercial engagement for a five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future (FtF) Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Development Activity for northern Kenya.
    This position will support the Strengthening Community Capacities for Resilience and Growth component which is part of USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative and specifically will improve households’ income, productive assets and resilience to drought and other shocks.
    Specific areas of focus include strengthened and sustained rangeland and water management; strengthened drought risk management; strengthened conflict management; improved and sustained health, nutrition, and hygiene practices; improved literacy, numeracy, and life skills; and collaborative action and learning for community empowerment.
    General Position Summary: The GIRL Officer will be responsible for technical oversight and management of the Girls Improving Resilience with Livelihood (GIRL), a 9-month adolescent girl personal agency empowerment safe space model aimed at supporting human capital development for resilient individuals who are well placed for commercial engagement.
    S/he will define implementation strategies in coordination with the County Project Coordinator, Deputy Chief of Party and leadership team. GIRL Officer will train staff and partners, providing them with technical assistance; and ensuring that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities. S/he will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results.
    The GIRL Officer will keep abreast of changing contexts and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies.
    S/he will work closely with our partner ACDI/VOCA, who will be leading the implementation of the LMS, and look for opportunities to link programming and clients with their programming and programming across the LMS.
    Essential Job Functions:

    Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of GIRL and Learning activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact;
    Provide technical guidance on a 9-month adolescent girls personal agency empowerment safe space model and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy
    Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles;
    Engage community members (community representatives, teachers, religious leaders, government officials and gatekeepers) to form an Advisory Committee to support and inform program activities;
    Organize community events to sensitize communities on human capital development for resilient communities;
    Assist in the creation of technical curricula, basic education (numeracy & literacy), basic nutrition literacy, WASH awareness and campaign, financial literacy and reproductive health;
    Participate in recruitment and train Community Facilitators and Girl mentors to deliver technical curricula to girls;
    Identify and recruit girls in the community to participate in safe space groups;
    Identify and engage local animal and human health workers to provide training and technical assistance to safe space groups;
    Monitor and track the success and failures of safe space groups;Link women to other traders, markets, financial institutions, public and private institutions;Implement monitoring and evaluation tools;
    Play a key role in the development of intervention designs, sector strategies and M&E frameworks;
    Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;
    Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
    In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned;
    Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities;
    Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
    Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one and performance reviews;
    Orient and lead team Community Facilitators.
    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.

    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.
    Supervisory Responsibility: Community Facilitator and GIRL mentors
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: County Project Coordinator with a dotted line to WASH/Nutrition Advisor
    Works Directly With: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Livelihood Officer, Technical Advisors, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit, Partner Organizations, and broader LMS team.
    Knowledge and Experience:

    Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, livelihoods and education;
    Degree in Community Development, Economic Development, Business, Agriculture, Livestock or related field or diploma with over 3 years’ experience;
    Should have knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection, reporting techniques and should understand and be able to apply basic measures of central tendency and spread;
    Commitment to working with Women, Girls, youth and vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;
    Understanding of working with local partners and commitment to working with BOMA Project and LMS team;
    Good problem solving, written and oral communication skills;
    Strong written and spoken English and Swahili;
    Local language skills required;
    Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a mixed team;
    Good knowledge of MS Office software such as Excel, Word, and Access.

    Success Factors: S/he will combine exceptional facilitation skills and capacity to work with different stakeholders including the greater LMS team. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for women and adolescent girls.
    The GIRL Officer will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
    S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. 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.