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.

IT Consultancy Event Consultant

Purpose / Project Description: The purpose is provision of IT consultancy service to Mercy Corps Kenya
Consultant Objectives:
The consultant will have the following objectives:
Consultant Activities:
Internet support services as described below:

Servicing all the Nairobi and field based computers
Maintaining operating systems and all networks (both wireless and local area network)
Help desk: End user support on all software and hardware issues via online, on phone and on-site support
Desktop and laptop maintenance support
Carry out preventive maintenance for all printers in the organization on quarterly basis. (Schedule 1-List of Printers)
Data recovery and back-ups
Software and Kaspersky Antivirus update
Linux and Windows Server management
Deal with ISP in case internet or bandwidth issues
For Nairobi Office at ABC place, twice a week visit and on call as proposed

Consultant Deliverables:
(Based on the services provided in the detailed scope of works)

Servicing all the Nairobi and field based computers
Maintaining operating systems and all networks (both wireless and local area network)
Help desk: End user support on all software and hardware issues via online, on phone and on-site support
Desktop and laptop maintenance support
Data recovery and back-ups
Quarterly report on preventive maintenance of all printers.
Software and Kaspersky Antivirus update
Linux and Windows Server management
Deal with ISP in case internet or bandwidth issues
For Nairobi Office at ABC place, twice a week visit is and on call proposed

go to method of application »

October 25, 2024
Agriculture/NRM Capacity Strengtheninig Specialist – East Africa

Job Description
Program / Department Summary
The Strengthening Capacity in Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Environment (SCALE) program is a five year Associated Award funded by the USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP) through the Technical and Operational Performance Support (TOPS) program led by Save the Children US. SCALE is designed to further improve the impact, sustainability, and scalability of FFP’s programming in agriculture, natural resource management, and livelihoods in emergency and development settings. Specifically, the program will focus on sustainable and climate sensitive approaches that foster resilient agricultural systems, and enhance income opportunities within or outside agricultural systems. This program is managed through the Agriculture Technical Support Unit (TSU).
General Position Summary
The SCALE Capacity Strengthening Specialist will coordinate with the program director to lead capacity-strengthening activities for the SCALE program in agriculture, natural resource management and off-farm livelihoods for both emergency and development settings. She/he will be responsible for implementing a sustainable capacity strengthening strategy adapted to the needs of staff (from different FFP implementing agencies and USAID missions) at different levels and disseminated via different methods, while ensuring the coordination of activities with other agencies and implementers as well as other knowledge and learning program activities. A key component of this position will be to develop sustainable learning systems throughout the life of the program, including a capacity measurement system to evaluate uptake and results.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision

Contribute to the development and adjustment of a distinctive strategic vision for improved capacity strengthening across multiple agencies and countries.
Contribute to industry work in agriculture, NRM and off-farm livelihoods by using a systems-based learning approach: incorporate and share key scientific and development research, build strong networks of partners at the field level, establish sustainable learning mechanisms to enhance program impact.
Build external visibility on relevant technical areas.
Program Implementation
Ensure that program implementation is responsive to FFP implementing partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
Ensure delivery of capacity-strengthening activities on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
Contribute to influential analysis and derive new insights from field assessments and industry learning; incorporate those results, best practices, and industry principles into the program.
Identify and develop contracts for specialist support during program implementation.
Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Measurement
Implement activities to assess and document the impact of technical capacity strengthening and interventions.
Finance & Compliance Management
Ensure compliance with USAID and Mercy Corps regulations.
Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Representation, Thought Leadership, AND Parnertship Development
Identify, build and manage strategic partnerships with USAID, networks and stakeholders.
Represent SCALE and Mercy Corps with different stakeholders, in relevant practitioner and learning networks and at key events, as well as through developing industry wide training curricula, papers, conference presentations, and online fora.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.
Actively engage in internal relationship building.Work with the team to maintain a strong roster of consulting resources to fill technical needs that are not available in house.
Security
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by countryProactively 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, 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
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: SCALE Program Director
Works Directly With: SCALE Collaboration and Learning Specialist and other SCALE part-time staff, Agriculture and other relevant TSU, Save the Children BRIDGE and WASH associate award staff, and IDEAL staff
Knowledge and Experience

Advanced degree at master’s degree level or above or at least 6 years of work experience related to agriculture or international development.
A minimum of 3 years of experience leading capacity strengthening activities for international development and emergency projects, preferably complementary to food security and food aid commodity programs.
Expertise in natural resource management, off-farm livelihoods, behavioral change methodologies, and monitoring and evaluation of agriculture activities to improve data collection and analysis along with reporting preferred.
Experience developing capacity strengthening content, adult-learning tools, and leading training or learning events.
Demonstrated ability to provide capacity strengthening to multiple end users to achieve improved agricultural program results.
Demonstrated ability of working with multiple stakeholders and networks to build learning opportunities.
Experience working directly with USAID at HQ and field level preferred.

Success Factors
The successful applicant will balance in-depth technical expertise in the agriculture sector with implementation of capacity strengthening activities. Strong knowledge of adult learning mechanisms, integrated learning models, and organizational or institutional learning is essential, as well as practical implementation of programs to ensure learning and uptake is grounded in practical reality. The successful applicant will have the drive and confidence to innovate, and a true ambition to build knowledge as a means to improve program quality. Strong networking, listening, communication and negotiations skills are essential to the success of this role. He/she will be self-motivated and able to think creatively about achieving capacity strengthening objectives for a global, multi-organizational target audience. 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 East Africa – either in Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala, Uganda and requires up to 40% travel to USAID/FFP implementation countries, which may include program areas of sometimes high security risk. The location will be accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation. Staff will have good access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA 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.

October 25, 2024
Director, Frontier Financial Services for Displaced Populations – East Africa

Job Description
Eastern Africa Nationals are highly encouraged to apply.
Initiative Summary
Drawing on our global experience working at the nexus of humanitarian response and protracted conflicts, Mercy Corps leads the Frontier Finance initiative to solve tough challenges at scale and contribute to cross cutting SDGs. Mercy Corps will accelerate the delivery of demand-driven, viable business models in fragility-affected regions to ultimately benefit displaced populations and host communities by facilitating private sector providers into targeted markets. We will apply market facilitation principles and expand access to finance businesses supporting/employing these populations, with a focus on digital delivery and bundled services. This will include exploring new partnerships, including blended finance and innovative financing mechanisms. This investment will allow Mercy Corps to test market-based products and partnerships, build/strengthen new partnerships, secure long-term investments and funding, and ultimately build the business case and clear finance models for working with both displaced populations in fragile and frontier markets. We will use a ‘lean’ approach – iterative and incremental to understand the actual needs of different segments of displaced persons, host communities, and businesses.
General Position Summary
The Director, Frontier Financial Services for Displaced Populations will be field-focused and will launch and quickly accelerate the delivery of demand-driven, viable financial models and products in fragile and frontier markets. The role is to be based regionally focusing on East Africa, while also having a global mandate by providing input, learnings, advice into other regions pursuing the same initiative and help with global representation.
The position will draw on Mercy Corps’ global experience working at the nexus of humanitarian response and protracted conflicts. You will use a market-level approach and a focus on digital channels and related services to impact displaced populations, host communities, and service providers operating in fragile markets. Mercy Corps has initially prioritized scalable market sectors – energy and agriculture – alongside Sharia-compliant financial services. Investments will be multi-country and cross-border focused on humanitarian crises where opportunities exist to demonstrate scalable business models and leverage Mercy Corps existing on-ground presence. In East Africa, this will initially include Somalia and the multi-country South Sudan refugee crisis.
The role will be a strong leader in Mercy Corps’ reaching its commitment to facilitate usage of improved financial inclusion to at least one million displaced persons, relevant host community members, and persons living in fragile environments by 2020. You will use a ‘lean’ approach – iterative and incremental to understand the actual needs of the different segments of displaced persons, host communities, and businesses while simultaneously building a business and evidence case for their engagement.
The role will also work closely with Mercy Corps country teams to pilot new initiatives and integrate financial services into existing programs and help identify related pipeline investment opportunities for Mercy Corps Social Venture team.
This role will contribute to strategic discussions (internal and external); support project documentation, including pilot designs with country teams; advise on monitoring tools; maintain coordination with key advisors supporting programme quality initiatives related to financial services and identity programming; recommend opportunities for research and evidence building to broaden impact; and reinforce stakeholder communication, including with senior leadership and policy advocates.
Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

Develop regional strategy and quickly and continually raise funding to capitalize finance solutions, including blended finance, to seed the design and prototyping of financial tools and channels (both digital and non-digital).
Set direction and quickly strengthen partnerships at the regional level with payment and technology companies, financial service providers, impact investors, institutional donors, foundations, research institutes, UN agencies, peer organizations, and host country governments.
Continually identify new opportunities for strategic partnerships to finance and expand the initiative to understand, and to build on Mercy Corps unique strengths and competitive advantages.
Conduct continual landscape analysis of actors and funding in this rapidly evolving sector and communicate/ continuously adjust strategy with respective technical teams.
Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
Understand other Mercy Corps programming contexts and objectives in order to identify integration opportunities with Mercy Corps fieldwork.

Technical Advisory

Cultivate and manage external partnerships for technical assistance, provide technical assistance, and mentor Mercy Corps country teams and partners, including, but not limited to:
Traditional financial services providers (banks, microfinance institutions, Islamic finance providers), trade finance and agricultural actors, as well as digital platforms.
Digital ID providers, mobile network operators, money transfer/remittance providers, payments companies, investment funds, ‘pay-as you’ providers, agricultural and energy finance players, and social enterprises.
Explore partnerships in peer-to-peer digital payments, diaspora investments, and crowdfunding platforms.
Engage with Mercy Corps country teams on market systems data collection processes / systems
Coordinate with Mercy Corps’ Program Performance and Quality (PaQ) Unit and Technical Support Unit (TSU) to maximize capacity building strategies, programmatic learning, guidance development, and research opportunities
Support program implementation and expansion activities, including partner coordination, pilots, and regional training workshops
Conduct field visits to prepare for and manage pilots, capacity building efforts
Thought Leadership, Influence and Representation
Ensure Mercy Corps is seen as a critical influencer in financial inclusion for both fragile situations and for displaced populations. Build external visibility on relevant technical areas and lead external representation efforts
Capture and disseminate insights from Mercy Corps programming for internal and external communications
Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs and civil society organizations and academic institutionsUnderstand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor views on the evolving context and its impact on Mercy Corps programming

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
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Director with dotted line to Lead – Financial Services in Crisis/Displaced Populations.
Works Directly With: Deputy Regional Director, Mercy Corps teams at the country, regional and global level, including fundraising, technical support units, research & learning, Innovations Team, and the Social Ventures Team
Knowledge and Experience

Relevant Master’s degree preferred.
At least 10+ years proven, field-based track record of progressive management/ leadership positions in management consulting, investment, financial services, market systems development in an emerging/frontier market or challenging contexts.
Significant experience living and working in a frontier market, preferably in East Africa for a minimum of 5-7 years.
Significant experience working in formal and informal financial sectors, especially with digital financial services and experience working in agriculture and energy sectors, Islamic finance, and the digital ID space, especially in Africa.
Strong regional contacts with financial institutions, UN, investors, institutional donors, social enterprises, foundations, and corporations engaged in this sector will be a priority so we can build on existing value and supply chains.
Experience with Lean / Adaptive / Agile processes would be a plus.
Ability to build partnerships with strong and/or high potential service providers will be key.
Proven experience working with individuals and teams to quickly build, test, and scale business models, and jointly identify and prioritize key challenges.
Strong organizational skills and a demonstrable track record of results and securing funding, with experience successfully structuring and coordinating a number of relationships and high value projects simultaneously across multiple countries.
Proven ability to navigate cross-cultural relationships.
A deep understanding of the complexities of the challenges low-income communities face, and the current efforts to solve them.
Demonstrated experience applying DCED standards, the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach and conducting political and market analysis
Fluent in written and spoken English, and ideally Swahili and/or French.

Success Factors

Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to build influential partnerships quickly, self motivate.
Exceptional project management skills.
Customer centric outlook, proven experience with human-centered design thinking and approaches.
Highly-developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching, especially with a market systems mindset.
Ability to work across multiple countries and to influence throughout the agency and lead cross-agency learning. Ability to understand incentive structures and engage/persuade senior-level executives and other stakeholders.
Cultural knowledge, sensitivity, and respect and ‘Do no Harm’ mindset.
A strong empathy with the mission of Mercy Corps.

October 25, 2024
Senior Finance and Compliance Officer

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Country Finance Director, the Senior Finance and Compliance Officer will assist in the accounting and documentation of all financial transactions in a timely and accurate manner.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUCNTIONS:

Reviewing and posting entries input in the field connection and navigator for all offices.
Monitoring expenditures under specific budgetary lines for relevance.
Review of the payroll and payroll allocations, posting of the payroll journal entries on time.
Review and posting of the monthly amortizations, making enquiries on deferred payments.
Managing the staff end of service expense allocation including following up on insurance costs and refunds through the Human Resource department.
Monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
Review and support in submission of cash flow projections to HQ on a monthly basis.
Management of the cash balances in all Mercy corps Kenya accounts.
Examine all transactions that go through bank accounts and the ledger for accuracy before approving the bank reconciliation.
Lead the finance team on the month close process, starting from the month close meeting held on a monthly basis, to the coordination of all field teams towards the timely closure of the monthly accounts and submission of the monthly reporting package without fail by the 10th of each month to HQ.
Reclasses required internally and by HQ are done on a timely basis.
Support in VAT returns process.
Maintaining relations between Mercy Corps and the bank, Kenya Revenue Authority and the Auditors.
Supported the Annual Financial year closure.
Backstop plan in case of the absence of any Finance officer in Nairobi office and several other field offices.
Constantly reinforced the adherence of Mercy Corps and donor policies to ensure they are adhered to.
Assisting the Finance Director with program close out.
Other assigned duties

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Two Finance Officers in Nairobi
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Finance Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Nairobi Finance Team, Program Team & Operations Team
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Ten or more years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, including experience with double-entry accounting
Must have supervised finance staff
CPA(K) or equivalent and diploma in relevant business field
Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software
Strong organizational skills as well as attention to detail
Excellent oral and written English skills

Success Factors

A clear understanding of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
The ability to interact effectively with international and national staff members is required.
A demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary.

October 25, 2024
Regional Program Development Specialist – East and Central Africa (Location TBC)

Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps’ East and Southern Africa (ESA) Region has grown significantly over the past decade. With Mercy Corps’ continued focus on the 3 I’s – Impact, Influence and Innovation – the team has identified the need to effectively respond to New Business opportunities. Currently, Mercy Corps’ New Initiatives team focuses on:

Highly strategic submissions, particularly (though not exclusively) to institutional donors and Initiatives that enhance overall agency proposal processes and competitiveness.
Team members are tasked to provide additional “person power” on specific, high priority efforts by assisting with all or some of the following: assembling a proposal team; executing team planning; undertaking on-site participatory assessment and design work; extensive writing; providing high-quality reviews and edits; and more

Examples of the types of strategic, agency-wide initiatives that the team has supported include: preparation and promotion of a proposal tool kit for improved planning; maintenance of a roster of proposal consultants; and organization of action reviews of proposals. With all of its activities, New Initiatives works in a highly collaborative manner with the agency as a whole, particularly the program operations team and country teams.
General Position Summary
The Regional Program Development Specialist (also known as Regional New Initiatives Specialist) will be a member of the New Initiatives team but responsible for supporting the ESA Africa region and, as such, will work particularly closely with the Regional Director (RD). His/her primary focus will be on program development including:

tracking the pipeline of potential new business opportunities for the region and supporting the RD, DRD and Country Directors (CD) in prioritizing and preparing for them;
leading and supporting program development efforts throughout the region;
helping to enhance the overall state of practice vis-à-vis proposal processes within the region; and
enhancing partner relations, with a particular emphasis on helping to diversify the agency’s partnerships in the region. In addition, he/she will be responsible for helping implement various other activities within the ESA Africa region that are part of the New Initiatives work plan.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program/Proposal Design and Development

Responsible for leading and supporting all aspects of the development of strategic proposals throughout the ESA Africa region.Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts supported by the Regional Director and New Initiatives team.
Support proposal development for:

medium and mid-level proposal opportunities;
the many emergency and humanitarian proposal opportunities that are generally smaller value but frequent; and
support work on larger strategic proposals, multi country opportunities and or European contracts in partnership with the NI team.

Strategic Pre-Positioning

Lead and support efforts that help Mercy Corps’ ESA’s programs to more pro-actively influence donor planning and access funding.
Support targeted assessments that will help create funding opportunities or increase competitiveness of the agency in solicitations.
Facilitate strategic planning sessions with country programs.
Track donor trends for potential opportunities in the emergency space that busy country teams might not be able to monitor or respond to at the time.

Build Regional Capacity

Build capacity of Mercy Corps’ staff within the region to work on proposals and run strong proposal and program development processes through team-work during actual proposal efforts, mentoring or tailored training activities,
Support / lead learning and communications activities for specific programs in the ESA region alongside country teams.
Support the startup of new strategic programs and projects especially those programs and projects that the Manager designed and wrote with country teams.
Contribute to activities that raise overall agency state of practice. As a member of the NI team, the Regional Program Development Specialist will spend a small portion of his/her time supporting agency-wide initiatives that enable Mercy Corps to more efficiently produce competitive submissions. (e.g. developing improved reference materials for proposal writers, contributing to efforts that capture learnings and results from our programs, and/or assisting with networking activities).
Provide a link for flow of important information and idea-exchange between the ESA region and the agency overall.

REPRESENTATION

Responsible for proactively establishing, developing and nurturing relationships with partners in ESA region.
Coordinate alongside CDs with the HQ teams including Corporations and Foundations Teams and the MCE Institutional Partnership Managers and the RPT teams.
Spend time supporting agency-wide initiatives that enable Mercy Corps to more efficiently produce competitive submissions. (e.g. developing improved reference materials for proposal writers, contributing to efforts that capture learnings and results from our programs, and/or assisting with networking activities).
Keep up to date on relevant donor strategies being developed or applied by significant governmental, academic, and non-profit groups.
Work with Mercy Corps staff in the ESA region to determine how the agency can best work with and/or influence such materials.

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
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Director, with dotted line to Director, New Initiatives
Works Directly With: Deputy Regional Director, Country Directors, Deputy Country Directors, Directors of Programs, Technical Service Unit, Desk team and New Initiatives team.
Knowledge and Experience

Master’s degree preferred; International Development or Business Science preferred.
5-7 years’ experience in program design and proposal development in a wide variety of sectors and geographic locations.
At least 2-3 years’ experience in field-based program and staff management, with regional knowledge of ESA region.
Preferable experience with emergency as well as development proposal writing
Proven ability to work productively with a wide variety of stakeholders to run both participatory process and meet tight deadlines with an emphasis on producing quality products.
Experience with a wide range of donors including USAID and European institutional donors. Familiarity with other donors, including corporate donors, a plus.
Experience developing and strong understanding of budget and cost proposal submissions, and personnel and staffing requirements for USAID, OFDA, EU (ECHO and DEVCO) and other institutional donor proposals.
Strong representation and relationship-building skills including professional representation (e.g. donors, partner agencies, host governments, etc.)
Strong negotiation skills and experience developing multiple-partnership arrangements for proposal development.
Ability to lead teams, handle negotiations and facilitate planning processes.
Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and in sparse working environments.
Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills an absolute must.
Native-level spoken and written English

Success Factors
The Regional Program Development Specialist will demonstrate a winning track record in program development, and bring flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm to every project they undertake. The individual must have exceptional writing skills and the ability to multi-task, set priorities, pay attention to detail, and work under tight deadlines within complex team environments. S/he will have a love of writing, strong interpersonal skills, and a healthy competitive spirit, and will take a lead role in building and maintaining external relationships as well as demonstrating the drive and initiative to contribute to internal team efforts. Being aware and sensitive to international development issues and diverse cultures is critical.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position can be located in East Africa or London, UK. The position requires travel at least 40% time to the field where living conditions may be exceptionally rugged or be in volatile environments where security protocols will need to be followed. Team members must be ready to deploy to field environments on short notice in response to any emergency or crisis. When in the field the team member must able to work in remote settings, over weekends and/or evening as required by the schedule, and in settings with limited infrastructure, food options, and living conditions.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/temporary assignment to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws and customs, and adhere to MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.Apply for 6 months program with UBA

October 25, 2024
Rangeland Specialist

Mercy Corps is recruiting a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)/Nutrition Advisor to ensure the delivery of high quality WASH and nutrition interventions 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 associate award.
This project will support 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 Rangeland Specialist will offer support to the LMS program quality and impact through provision of technical assistance and advice in the areas of sustainable Natural Resource Management (NRM).
This is anticipated to include early warning systems, climate information systems, participatory rangeland management, watershed management, sustainable community water management systems in pastoral and peri urban areas and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development) and small business group development.
The Rangeland Specialist will work closely with the project team to achieve program synergy. S/he will provide capacity building and technical assistance to LMS staff and partners in NRM aspects of implementing project interventions and encourage active participation of and networking between individuals and communities in recognizing NRM problems, identify solutions and implement project activities related to the identified solutions.
The post holder will also build capacities of communities and institutions in sustainable NRM.
S/he will work closely with community facilitators, community leaders, committees and local government development agents and take part in community meetings for information gathering, exchange and carry out participatory planning supporting field implementation.

October 25, 2024
Admin & Logistics Officer Senior Finance Officer Office Assistant Drivers

Program / Department Summary: The Operations Department is committed to implementing and maintaining the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in the operations functions.
The overriding objective for all administration and logistics operations is the prompt and effective provision of support services to Mercy Corps’ beneficiary populations in compliance with donor specifications.
General Position Summary: The Administration and Logistics officer is responsible for facilitating the administration and logistics functions at Mercy Corps field office.
Working closely with Program, Operations and Finance departments, the Administration and Logistics Officer is instrumental in supporting program activities through his/her coordination and execution of Procurement, Logistics and Administration functions at the field level.
Roles
Procurement:

Daily coordination of MC procurement activities;
Ensure full understanding and adherence to MC procurement policies and formats and assist as needed in training staff on these policies;
Guide staff as required on creating clear and understandable Purchase Requests and other procurement related documentation;
Collect quotations and bids from the market for PRs as assigned by manager – as per Mercy Corps standards and formats;
Interact with Vendors during collection of quotations – explain Mercy Corps formats and ensure that vendors will use the provided forms;
Ensure fair competition and strictly adhere to MC procurement rules regarding vendor relations;
Maintain up to date Mercy Corps Procurement data management system;
Interact with contractors, in coordination with the Program & Operations Managers;
Ensures that the required documentation of supplies and transactions are completed to MC standards;
Ensure proper asset management; maintain proper and updated asset register with clear asset identification tags.

Fleet management:

General management of agency vehicles in co-operation with the Operations Manager;
Ensure that all vehicles are safe and road-worthy;
Collect and distribute of vehicle log-sheets to drivers; responsible for monthly compilation and submission of log-sheets;
Schedule vehicle use to meet programmatic and operational needs;
Maintain vehicle movement board daily;
Oversee fuel consumption purchase and tracking including coordination with the designated fuel station;
Collect Vehicle Service Requests from drivers. Submit VSR-s to the Operations Manager for approval;
In coordination with the Operations Manager, organize regular service schedules for vehicles and maintain service schedule files;
Ensure vehicle repairs are done in a timely manner;
Ensure security measures for vehicles such as parking, storage of keys, emergency supplies, etc.;
Ensure that security incident reports are completed and filed (if related to vehicles).

Administration:

Ensure proper management and coordination of staff travel arrangements including transport and security;
Ensure good general office management and cleanliness of the office premises in coordination with the Office Assistant;
Coordinate with the Operations department in Nairobi to ensure adherence to Administrative and IT procedures by all field based staff;
Ensure that the office is run in a professional and responsible manner including hosting guests, receptionist duties, general contact and liaison with outside agencies as well as cleanliness of the office premises in coordination with the Office Assistant;
Coordinate with the Administration Officer in Nairobi to provide administrative guidance to MC staff when required;
Manage and renew office lease agreement;
In coordination with the Program Leads and the Administration Coordinator in Nairobi track airtime allocation for field based staff;
Coordinate the purchase of office supplies;
Coordinate any other necessary administrative and office management details including the maintenance of the premises.

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.

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.
Accountability:

Supervisory Responsibility: The Office Assistant and Drivers
Reports Directly To: The Wajir Head of Office with a dotted technical line to the Operations Manager
Works Directly With: Program, Operations and Finance teams

Job Requirements

Degree in a relevant business field is desired;
At least 3 years of experience in large scale logistics, supply chain management and/ or international business;
Must demonstrate understanding of logistics, procurement and administration ethics and good management skills with diverse team with large flow of information and activities;
Experience in an NGO setting is preferred;
A strong understanding of donor compliance is required;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to make recommendations for improvements;
Strong MS Office computer skills;
Excellent spoken and written skills in English;
Willingness to travel to field locations when required.

Success Factors:

Meticulous with an excellent sense of judgment and ability to multitask;
Ability to work independently and prioritize, show initiative;
Ability to coordinate and work effectively with a diverse teams in a multi-cultural set up;
Thorough understanding on logistical challenges, market mechanism and supply chain dynamcis;
Positive team spirit.

go to method of application »

October 25, 2024
Wash/Nutrition Advisor Livelihood Officers – Wajir, Garissa & Turkana

Mercy Corps is recruiting a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)/Nutrition Advisor to ensure the delivery of high quality WASH and nutrition interventions 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 associate award. This project will support 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.
Roles
Program Management

Communicate a clear vision for WASH/nutrition activities and how they fit into the project’s overall objectives, ensure that the project strategy is clear, and communicated to team members, local beneficiaries, the government and other actors;
Plan and implement the project’s nutrition Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategy including designing compelling informational messages (edutainment), culturally sensitive Information Education
Communication (IEC) materials and mass media outreach, as appropriate, to effectively influence behavior change at the individual and community level;
Ensure SBC concepts and/or messages achieve project objectives, such as increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, enhancing motivation to change behaviors, and increasing the perceived benefits of new behaviors. Lead in the research design, pretesting, production and distribution of SBC/IEC materials;
Based on the findings of the Barrier Analysis and other research findings, suggest new areas of SBC content for both the immediate causes of nutrition and underlying causes such maternal/child nutrition, household income, household decision making and design SBC through suggestions and advice from designated audience groups;
Pursue other innovative ways to deliver compelling messages such as the use of schools and other culturally sensitive media/channels of communications to reach adolescent girls, women, Youths and Men;
Develop and maintain harmonious relationship with partner organizations, line ministries and audience groups. This includes planning activities and coordinating closely with the greater LMS partners and Kenya Rapid;
Monitor project implementation, document processes and achievements to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated;
Regularly visit field activities to assess progress and provide formal and informal feedback.

Influence & Representation

Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and country leadership;
Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Security

Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members;
Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Job Requirements

BA/S or equivalent in nutrition, communications, development, public health or Nutrition and Dietetics, other relevant field;
A minimum of four years of relevant professional experience working on similar types of programming.
Experience with behavior change communications is preferred;
Previous experience working on USAID grants is preferred;
Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English and Kiswahili is required. Fluency in Northern Kenyan regional dialects also are desirable;
Previous working experience in Northern Kenya desirable;
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

go to method of application »

October 25, 2024
Product Innovation and Partnerships Manager Results, Learning & Research Coordinator

General Position Summary: The Product Innovation and Partnerships Manager is responsible for cultivating, managing and growing partnerships enabling sustainable business solutions to youth employment challenges.
S/he will develop a pipeline of technology and private sector partners capable of develop game changing innovations, and facilitating relationships with complementary employers, governmental bodies, training institutes, or others.
S/he will work with these partners to help identify potential product innovations and sustainable solutions, and to convene the right partners to make it a reality.
S/he is an excellent dealmaker capable of aligning varying incentives and driving projects through a range of challenges.
Essential Job Functions:
Pipeline Development
Map out viable partners and opportunities in a range of economic sectors from construction to retail and agriculture;
Develop a pipeline of potential partnerships, including technology partners, employers, training institutes and more, through ongoing and well thought-out outreach;
Maintain strong connections with the regional start-up scene, maintaining responsiveness to opportunities.
Product Innovation
Work creatively with target partners to ideate and co-develop concepts and innovations for new products and services;
Facilitate ‘deals’ between partners to enhance product viability and scale opportunity;
Engage technical expertise where required to assist in product innovation, business modeling, or design.
Partner Engagement
Conduct Due Diligence, vet, and prepare documentation on longlisted and shortlisted partnerships;
Work with procurement and finance teams to ensure that suitable partnership engagement modalities are employed, be they MOUs, contracts, or other.
Partner Support and Relationship Management
Provide technical support to partners, including on market research, product development, and human-centered design;
Convene different actors and stakeholders for collaborations to enhance scale and sustainability;
As required, bring in external expertise to support partners;
Problem-solve and drive partnerships between multiple actors through challenges;
Take a collaborative and supportive approach when working with private sector partners.
M&E and Learning
Work with M&E staff to ensure effective data collection and learning from partners;
Participate in, and generate insights, for Thought Leadership events on innovation and business solutions to youth employment.
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.
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: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Impact Labs Program Manager
Works Directly With: HR, Logistics, Operations, Impact Labs MEL Coordinator, Impact Labs partners.Knowledge and Experience:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a combination of strategy and business consulting, impact investment, product design, or relevant areas;
BA/S or equivalent in business administration, information technology or related field of study. An MBA is an added advantage.
Demonstrated expertise in partnership development, facilitating deals, matchmaking and phenomenal emotional intelligence;
Experience in Management/Development consulting firms or business incubators/accelerators working with start-ups & SMEs on business modelling, strategy and/or product development is required;
Experience working in/with start-ups desired. Experience related to employment generation an added advantage;
Experience working with impact investment an added advantage;
Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategy;
Exceptional writing skills, and ability to present complex concepts and/or analysis clearly;
Experience in, and passion for, youth employment a plus.
Success Factors: The successful Product Innovation and Partnerships Manager will have a phenomenal ability to engage with partners and facilitate relationships.
S/he will demonstrate excellent emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and drive to push things forward.
S/he will be a self-starter and a doer, capable of driving the programs with minimal supervision.
S/he will have a creative mindset, with ability to generate new ideas, coupled with attention to detail.
S/he will have strong social and collaborative skills, with an ability to maintain an extensive network of partners and professional connections.
go to method of application »

October 24, 2024
Market Development Program Manager

Position is contingent on new funding
Mercy Corps has been operating in Kenya since 2009, focusing its interventions around four objectives:peace and conflict management;
livelihood/market systems;
governance (particularly at the county level);
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 a Senior Program Manager with a strong understanding of managing facilitationbased interventions to provide technical leadership in livelihoods and market systems development for a proposed five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future (FtF) Livestock Market Systems Development Activity for Northern Kenya.
This program will support USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative and specifically will improve households’ income, productive assets and resilience to drought and other shocks.
Illustrative objectives are likely to include: diversified livelihood options, increased inclusiveness of value chains, improved nutrition, improved capacity to peacefully manage conflicts, and community-based natural resource management.
General Position Summary
Pending funding, this positon will require more than 50% of travel to project sites in Isiolo, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir and Turkana. The Senior Program Manager will be responsible for providing leadership, technical oversight and ensuring direct management for all activities related to livelihoods and market systems development.
S/he will define implementation strategies in coordination with the Chief of Party and leadership team. The Senior Program Manager will train staff, provide them with technical assistance; and ensure 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 selected candidate will keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of market/value chain development and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies.
Market Development Program Manager Job Responsibilities
Program Management
Develop team work plans and guide successful implementation of livelihoods and market systems development activities, ensure county-based 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 livelihoods and market systems development 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;
Manage small investments grant program and review business plans;
Conduct and/or update market assessments, involving direct stakeholders as well as public and private sector actors working within the target value chains and market systems;
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.
Manage and/or coordinate with local implementing partners;
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 closely with ACDI/VOCA’s activities and ensure the two projects are leveraging one another and are well connected;
Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
Team Management
Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives;
Support team members in developing private sector partnerships and market facilitation activities;
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;
Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
Influence & Representation
Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party and country leadership;
Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Security
Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members;
Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
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.
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.
Requirements for the Market Development Program Manager Job
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Development studies, Business, Economics or other relevant field. An advanced degree or additional training will be an added advantage;
A minimum of 6 to 8 years of relevant professional experience in market systems development, value chains or livelihoods programming, with at least 3 years in a management position;
Demonstrated experience negotiating with private and public sector actors and structuring agreements/contracts to work together;
Demonstrated experience working in market systems development;
Demonstrated experience working with and in partnership with other agencies in work planning and implementing together;
Strong management skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management, coordination and decision-making.
Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques;
Strong understanding of USAID compliance issues;
Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work;
Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English and other language(s), as required;
Previous working experience in Kenya or East Africa desirable;
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Success Factors
The successful Senior Program Manager will be familiar with or have experience implementing market facilitation-based interventions and the particular challenges of market systems development in Northern Kenya.
S/he will combine exceptional management and facilitation skills, strong negotiation skills and the capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders. The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for inclusive market development to promote sustainable livelihoods.
A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention. The Senior Program Manager 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.

October 24, 2024