Jobs Kenya

Website: Website https://www.mercycorps.org/

  • Regional Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Advisor – Nairobi

    Regional Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Advisor – Nairobi

    Program / Department SummaryMercy Corps exists to alleviate poverty, suffering, and oppression and works to build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps is currently operational in 17 countries in Africa including Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Zambia. Mercy Corps’ country programs in Africa face momentous humanitarian crises and significant development challenges, and operate in fragile and conflict-affected areas, displacement settings, emergency responses, as well as more stable developed settings. Against this backdrop Mercy Corps’ focus in Africa has been in promoting good governance and conflict resolution, enhancing resilience, facilitating market systems, access to finance and economic opportunities, as well as youth employment and empowerment. It is imperative that Mercy Corps presents itself as a key and credible partner with the many donors, government authorities and civil society actors in order to contribute to the process of positive change across the continent. Mercy Corps looks to actively engage and partner with an ever-growing and innovative African private sector to achieve greater and sustained impact.General Position SummaryMercy Corps is seeking an experienced and field-tested Africa Regional Advisor for Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL). The Regional MEL Advisor role is a field-based position meant to support the countries in his/her respective region (this position will focus on East and Southern Africa, but able to support other countries in Africa as needed) to implement sound M&E systems, assist with the roll out of existing and new MEL guidance, including Tola, use data for decision making and conduct training as needed. The role is further designed to support the other core program performance requirements (e.g., indicators choice and program design, program quality, and program management principles, mobile technology and adaptive management). The rollout will include engagement with country-level M&E staff, program managers and country and regional leadership, assessment of the current state of M&E and train staff in each country in adopting M&E best practices. The Regional MEL Advisor will need to engage with field leadership to nurture and help develop an effective, impact-driven leadership culture. The first responsibility for this position is to develop a detailed workplan for each fiscal year in coordination with PaQ and T4D.Essential Job Responsibilities

    (20%) Participate in roll-out and monitoring of agency MEL, CARM and Tola guidance including:
    Develop workplan for FY19
    MEL policy
    MEL dashboard to capture MEL needs, budgets and planning
    Review Tola Readiness Assessments
    Conduct regional webinars on topics related to understanding and implementing the MEL guidance, Tola and CARM
    When possible co-facilitate Tola trainings.
    (50%) Assess and improve M&E and program performance related practices in each country
    Conduct MEL gap assessments covering specific M&E activities and practices, and a review of tools and documents.
    Based on assessment findings, begin development of a long-term rollout/training plan and strategy.
    Help country teams develop individualized Action Plans to improve data management practices
    Support country teams both remotely and in country on implementing their Action Plan, topics ranging from program logic review, data collection, data management and analysis
    Visit country field M&E teams to conduct MEL assessments and develop support plans
    Coordinate MEL support as needed with TSU, PaQ and T4D
    Organize and manage a regional Community of Practice (CoP)Focus on M&E and Technology
    (25%) Work with M&E staff, program management and HQ support teams on building the culture of adaptive management, evidence and learning in each country in the region, and supporting better overall performance of the country team in these areas.
    Conduct initial orientations and on-boarding of new program staff (esp. M&E, program managers, and country leaders) – promote tools like DIG, M&E tools, and PM@MC
    Participate in regional trainings and use materials from these trainings to conduct follow-up sessions within the region as needed
    Coordinate with PaQ and T4D to ensure tech support is coordinated
    Trained PM@MC facilitators and provide backstop for in-country trainings, and support in specific PM@MC topics as needed.
    Conduct PM@MC gap analyses with PM@MC focal points, and help countries develop action plans for correcting gaps, and developing plans for monitoring adherence to PM@MC minimum standards
    Engage with CDs and RPDs on leadership issues related to monitoring and evaluation and the relationship between M&E and program quality – including use of indicators.
    Conduct program quality reviews (implementation quality, meeting of minimum standards, quality of SADD and analysis).
    Help country teams make use of M&E data and contribute to evidence-based learning at all levels.
    (5%) Learning. Spend time on best practice-oriented learning activities to help ensure that best practices in design, monitoring and evaluation, as well as NGO community-wide initiatives, are incorporated into the ongoing work of the team.

    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 program participants
    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:
    Deputy Regional Director, Africa
    Works Directly With:

    Country leadership teams, Country MEL Managers, HQ technical support teams, Regional leadership and technical teams and global PaQ team

    Knowledge And Experience

    BA in international development or other relevant social science (MA preferred).
    Seven years of experience working in international relief and development programs, with at least three years focused on providing M&E technical support to field programs, and at least four years working overseas preferred.
    Demonstrated skill with program design, including assessments, proposal development, indicator selection and M&E planning.
    Demonstrated skill and experience with facilitating program design processes, logical frameworks, theories of change, and overall program logic.
    Experienced in training and capacity-building (in person and remotely) and fostering a collaborative relationship with field practitioners and management,
    Experience with data analysis and presentation using Excel, Access, and advanced data analysis and visualization packages. Additional software and technical skills (databases, mobile technology, GIS, and statistical packages) preferred.
    Experience designing practical and effective monitoring systems, including data and database management systems.
    Strong communication skills; able to work remotely with a geographically dispersed team.

    Success Factors

    Strong team player, good communication and diplomatic skills
    Able to facilitate complex team dynamics and achieve aims
    Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
    Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.
    Strong commitment to advancing learning in international development through monitoring and evaluation
    Active within the M&E and learning community
    Strong relationship-building skills and commitment to working collaboratively

    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    This position is based either in Nairobi, Kampala or Addis Ababa with up to 40% of time spent traveling. International travel may be to insecure and/or remote locations.
    Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.

  • STA Regional Resilience Director, Africa – Kenya and open to US, EU, Africa

    STA Regional Resilience Director, Africa – Kenya and open to US, EU, Africa

    This is a 3 months Short Term Assignment.The location is flexible and open to all locations in US, Europe or Africa where Mercy Corps is located.
    Program / Department Summary
    In the Africa Region, Mercy Corps is a leader in innovative programming that is widely recognized by donors and policy makers for evidence-based solutions that have lasting impact and build resilience. Resilience is a priority for Mercy Corps’ Africa programs, encompassing fragile contexts across the drylands belt of the Sahel and Horn of Africa, protracted conflicts and post-conflict settings, and growing urban and peri-urban centers. Using a systems-based approach to address chronic and recurrent shocks and stresses and protracted crises to advance long-term development goals, Mercy Corps’ resilience work in Africa drives forward innovative solutions through integrated, multi-sectoral programming, evidence generation and thought leadership, technical capacity strengthening and key regional and global partnership development.General Position Summary
    The STA Africa Regional Resilience Director (RRD) is a four-month assignment. The STA-RRD will provide strategic oversight and critical technical support to priority resilience initiatives and flagship programs in Africa. She/he will work closely with the Senior Director – Resilience and Africa regional leadership to ensure high-quality program design support, strategic coordination and oversight for key learning and influence initiatives and technical support for new program start-up and ongoing program implementation and measurement. The STA-RRD will help channel support and resources where necessary to ensure resilience needs are met across the region and respond to strategic representation and other opportunities to advance Mercy Corps’ resilience agenda and visibility in Africa. She/he will advance resilience leadership with particular focus on regional themes, including climate change, NRM and agriculture systems; conflict and complex crises; market systems development in crises; financial inclusion; youth employment; gender; and urban resilience. The RRD will work in close unison with all Country Directors to support their country strategy and with regional leadership to advance the One Africa strategy.
    Essential Job Responsibilities

    Strategic Program Design and Prepositioning (30%)

    Contribute technical input on resilience on strategic concept and proposal development, ensuring Mercy Corps’ resilience approach is reflected in the design and budget for ongoing quality oversight and support.
    Support strategic prepositioning efforts for major upcoming resilience opportunities in Africa, inputting into tools, assessment processes, and technical partnership identification for resilience measurement or other priority sectors.
    Oversee and advance a regional strategy and positioning agenda in the Sahel related to the climate/conflict nexus, working closely with Africa Regional Representatives, the Technical Support Unit (TSU) and Strategic Partnership managers in Mercy Corps’ Europe office.

    Coordination and Technical Oversight to Strategic Research, Learning and Thought Leadership Initiatives (30%)

    Oversee and advance priority learning and influence initiatives related to Mercy Corps’ larger Drive Resilience agenda, including the Triple Nexus Initiative in North Kivu/DRC and the Northeast Nigeria resilience learning agenda, in close coordination with country level focal points, the TSU and Research & Learning stakeholders.
    Provide technical leadership to guide the design, implementation and documentation of strategic initiatives to include a strong resilience foundation, bringing in additional technical sectors where necessary and ensuring capacity building needs to execute initiatives are fulfilled.
    Work closely with the Global Resilience, Policy and Advocacy, Research and Learning and Thought Leadership teams to drive forward Africa specific evidence generation for strategic influence, including through embedding learning and measurement mechanisms in initiatives and supporting production of high-priority outputs.
    Coordinate development and support dissemination of high quality learning products, program briefs and influence/thought pieces articulating and sharing evidence and proxy indicators of success for building resilience within the region.

    Program Quality Oversight, Capacity Building and Technical Support (30%)

    Provide in-country and remote technical support and ongoing mentoring to program managers and technical focal points of flagship resilience programs at key program milestones, ensuring strong start-up, implementation and systems for capturing resilience results.
    Provide technical orientation of key staff and oversee resilience integration into inception phases, program Theory of Change revisions, and development of technical strategies and measurement plans. Support flagship programs to access additional technical needs to meet resilience gaps.
    Provide direct technical oversight of priority flagship resilience program deliverables as required.
    Support high quality incorporation of resilience measurement plans and resilience learning mechanisms in flagships, in collaboration with HQ and regional support teams, ensuring flagships are able to document and communicate their resilience impact.
    Source and guide ongoing technical support for resilience measurement and evaluation in the region.
    Design and oversee critical capacity building on resilience for priority programs, including support visits, training workshops and designing/disseminating tools and resources.

    External Representation and Community of Practice (10%)

    Engage in strategic representation with donors and partners and participate in high-profile resilience events and conferences as required, showcasing Mercy Corps’ Africa resilience thought leadership and impact.
    Promote the Africa region and country teams’ work within the organization through key internal communications and media outlets.
    Regularly check in with Africa resilience focal points and stakeholders and facilitate networking and information exchange to promote learning and collaboration.
    Cultivate participation in community of practice and other internal forums around resilience building.

    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
    Regional Resilience Advisors
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: Senior Director, Resilience
    Works Directly With: Africa Regional Director and Deputy Regional Directors, Country Directors, country-level Resilience Hub focal points, country program teams, HQ program teams (Senior Program Officers, Technical Support team, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team), Resilience Matrix Team
    Knowledge and Experience

    Masters in International Development or relevant field or at least
    Five years’ minimum experience in program management, program design and adaptive learning approaches from relevant sectors, including food security and livelihoods, market systems development, climate change and natural resource management and peacebuilding.
    Demonstrated understanding of and experience working on resilience issues and/or programs required. Understanding of Mercy Corps’ approach to resilience and experience with current or previous Mercy Corps resilience programming and/or initiatives highly desired.
    Proven experience coordinating and managing diverse, complex initiatives across multiple teams required.
    Demonstrated ability for facilitating and capturing research, M&E, and learning for adapting and improving approaches is highly desired.
    Strong facilitation skills and demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods is necessary.
    Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are required.
    Previous experience in Africa highly desired, but not required.
    Written and spoken French fluency desired, but not required.

    Success Factors
    The successful STA candidate will bring his or her relevant, applicable technical skills and experience in resilience thinking and systems approaches and be able to contextualize support to the range of needs for different audiences and contexts. She/he is able to discern strategic pathways to achieve results on priorities, while identifying and proactively acting on new opportunities. She/he is a highly motivated learner and flexible to adapt to take on new challenges as they arise. She/he is comfortable advancing multiple priorities simultaneously. She/he is a skilled networker and communicator with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders to coordinate and advance a shared agenda.Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    The position base is flexible, and can be fulfilled from the US or Europe, or Africa locations wher Mercy Corps is currently based. Travel (approximately 30%) may be required. When in the field the team member will need to able to work in remote settings and possibly over weekends and/or evening as required by the schedule.
    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.

  • Finance Assistant

    Finance Assistant

    Department Summary
    The Mercy Corps Finance Department is responsible for all financial functions in Nairobi, including accounting, payments and banking, payroll, budgeting, financial reporting, and grant financial management and compliance.  The Mercy Corps Finance Department ensures compliance with donor regulations as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and procedures.  In its role as a support to the Program Department, the Finance Department provides timely reports and assistance to the Country Director and the Program team to ensure that financial resources are used efficiently and effectively.
    General Position Summary
    Working in the Finance Department under the direction of the Senior Finance Officer/Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant will assist in the processing and recording of payment transactions in timely and accurate manner to support the program team activities.
    Responsibilities
    Financial management

    Maintain custody of the office cash fund and make daily payments of approved transactions.
    Prepare cash payment vouchers and ensure that all cash transactions are fully and properly documented.
    Perform daily cash count with the Finance Officer or other person assigned.
    Record payment vouchers daily in the cash sub-journal.
    Maintain the uncleared cash advance file and prepare past due advance report for the Finance Manager.
    check-signers for review and signature.
    Prepare bank payment vouchers and ensure that all bank transactions are properly and fully documented.
    Record payment vouchers daily in the bank sub journal.
    Prepare cheques or wire transfer requests based on fully approved documents and present to approved.
    Review expense reports (travel expense reports and operational expense reports) for accuracy and completeness and ensure that expense reports have been fully approved before payment.
    Prepare photocopies of vouchers and other supporting documents as required for the monthly reporting package to HQ Finance.

    Filing & Archiving

    File all cash and bank vouchers and maintain voucher filing system such that files are updated, complete and safeguarded.
    Assist with Sub-grant management and organizing sub-grant files.

    Tax

    Process DA1 for USAID VAT returns forms and follow up on processing status in a timely manner.
    Maintain VAT database tracker for submitted DA1 forms to USAID.
    Follow up with vendors on VAT refunds upon approval by USAID for refund.
    Process withholding VAT and withholding tax as per KRA regulations.

    Payroll

    Prepare monthly payroll based on information provided by HR and timesheets
    Prepare payroll accrual entry

    Qualifications
    Knowledge and Experience

    A degree in accounting or a relevant business field.
    Minimum CPA II or other relevant accounting qualification.
    At least one year experience in accounting, bookkeeping or cashiering, including experience with double-entry accounting preferably in an international NGO.
    Familiarity with major international donor rules and non-profit accounting.
    Familiarity with computerized, double-entry accounting software.
    Strong computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel
    Accuracy in the processing of cash transactions, mathematical aptitude and attention to detail.
    Excellent oral and written English skills.

    Success Factors
    A successful Finance Assistant will be a strong team player, with good communication and interpersonal skills. S/he will have knowledge on the application of best practices in basic financial management and knowledge of financial management software. S/he will be flexible, thorough have the ability to pay attention to details, proactively solve problems, follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

  • Partner Capacity Building Specialist

    Partner Capacity Building Specialist

    Location:      Nairobi, Kenya (Split 50% Between Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania And Mozambique)
    Program / Department Summary
    General Position Summary
    The Partner Capacity Building Specialist is responsible for developing a comprehensive approach to identifying capacity gaps in downstream partners, designing activities and programmatic to fill those gaps, and monitoring performance over time to gauge the extent of capacity development in each downstream partner. The capacity building activities will be tailored to needs of each partner as different partners may have different capacity gaps.
    Responsibilities
    Strategy Development

    Work with the Deputy Team Lead and other key staff to agree on the strategic approach to partner capacity building, how it fits into the wider program, and to ensure its inclusion in the overall program strategy.
    Design and deliver tailored as well as unified capacity building activities for each partner. Such capacity building activities can include thematic and operational areas and can also be systems/process as well as skill development of team members to deliver for the program.
    Coordinate, manage, and implement capacity building efforts through the mobilization and empowerment of partner organizations to identify, plan, and address priority needs.

    Program Implementation

    Take responsibility for the development of a tailored partner capacity assessment, drawing on Mercy Corps’ existing Organizational Capacity Index approach and others.
    Lead on the development of institutional strengthening plans for partners that respond to organizational and programmatic priorities, and which draw upon a range of capacity development approaches.
    On the basis of the findings and plan, provide strategic program guidance and technical support for the partner capacity building portion of the program, through provision of support to field staff and partner organizations as required, in coordination with the Deputy Team Lead.
    Refine organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for partner capacity development, building on existing Mercy Corps knowledge and experience.
    Assemble a comprehensive package of training and development modules, which address key technical and organizational capacity gaps
    Identify appropriate expertise, both externally and internally to provide capacity building to partners.
    Participate in the selection of appropriate downstream partners, offering a balanced view of their capacity and potential.
    Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to support partners to monitor implementation and impact of the capacity building activities.
    Organize feedback sessions for stakeholders during the implementation of program activities.
    Work with the MEL team to monitor and evaluate the impact of program activities and respond appropriately if changes are required in capacity building activities to improve impact, in consultation with the Deputy Team Lead.
    Ensure that activities and outputs are completed adequately and within a reasonable timeframe.

    Qualifications

    Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences Or Related Master’s Degree is preferred.
    4-5 years working experience in development programs with an INGO, UN agency or other relevant institution.
    Specific experience in capacity building, training and organizational capacity assessment. Regional experience is a plus.
    Experience working on peacebuilding, conflict and governance programmes.
    Strong self-confidence, focused and an outgoing personality – must be able to build trust and relationships. The ability to engage people in dialogues, skills to communicate with various types of people.
    Demonstrated ability to successfully initiate and maintain positive relationships with local NGOs is vital to effective performance.
    Expertise with tools and innovations in Information Communication and Technologies. Proficiency in English language oral and writing skills is also required.
    Ability to adjust and work in dynamic and complex environment/situations.

    Success Factors
    The successful candidate will have an ability to develop and deliver capacity building strategies and activities. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, a willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. The ability to work independently and as part of a team, have curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally and a fabulous sense of humor will all be essential. S/he is an excellent facilitator, can build rapport quickly and is passionate about building capacity of organizations and individuals.

  • Finance and Grants Officer

    Finance and Grants Officer

    Job Summary:
    The Finance and Grants Officer works under the guidance and supervision of the Finance and Compliance Director and with direct interaction with the respective Program Managers, Consortium members and the Mercy Corps Finance team in Kenya. He/She will be based in Nairobi with significant travel to the field.
    Essential Job Responsibilities:
    Process:

    Conduct day to day management and implementation of the grants work plan under Mercy Corps.
    Propose revisions to grant processes and procedures based on experience and lessons learned and coordinate proposed changes with the Program Manager and Finance and Compliance Director.

    Pre-Award:

    Conduct a pre-award assessment for pre-approved sub-recipients.
    Work closely with the technical team to identify potential areas of support, eligibility and evaluation criteria.
    Work with selected grantees to ensure budgets are in line with program activities and that costs are reasonable, allowable and allocable.
    Conduct due diligence assessments on all grants including business feasibility, evaluate environmental requirements and document negotiation process for all prospective grantees.
    Work closely with the M&E Team in developing M&E plans to ensure that they are contributing to specific indicators and outcomes

    Post Award:

    Conduct post-award training for the sub-recipients on grants administration, applicable donor regulations and reporting requirements.
    Identify sub-recipient/grantee capacity building needs and provide technical assistance where needed and trainings to assure compliance.
    Review sub-recipient/grant reports for accuracy and completeness and regularly monitor their budgets vis-a-vis financial reports and process payments/reimbursements as appropriate.
    Conduct grantee site visits as appropriate including financial monitoring of grants and cost-share to ensure proper accounting of grant funds awarded.
    Maintain complete and accurate files for all sub-recipient/grant files as per the Field Finance Manual.
    Input the financial reports in Navigator and reconciling them regularly.
    Serve as a primary point of contact for all correspondence and notifications to grant applicants and grantees.

    Close-Out:

    Coordinate the close-out of sub-recipients/grants. This will involve preparing relevant close-out documents for approval such as disposition documentation, modification agreements on closeout, closeout checklists, the release of liability documentation, etc.

    Others:

    Responsible for the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports for grant activities that feed into the overall program report.
    Ensure that grant activities comply with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures, as well as Donor rules and regulations.
    Participate in the development and implementation of the program’s annual work plans.
    Support the Finance team with other grants or finance sector activities.
    Coordinate expenditure verification and project audits
    Ensure that field staff is familiar with grants management procedures.
    Any other duties as may be assigned.

    Qualifications:

    A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or relevant field; an advanced degree is preferred.
    Professional accounting certification CPA (K).
    At least four (4) years of demonstrated professional experience managing grants, subcontracts, procurement and compliance with donor regulations, preferably Donor-
    funded projects.
    Strong accounting skills and experience, including management of the general ledger, journal entries, payables, and balance sheet.
    Demonstrated experience applying clauses and negotiating without heavy management oversight including developing amendments and modifications as a result of negotiations.
    Experience providing capacity-building training to staff and local organizations.
    Strong analytical and computer skills, with emphasis on budget and financial analysis and advanced computer skills in MS Office, particularly Excel are required.
    Fluency in the English Language is required.

    Grants Administration:

    Knowledge and application of best practices in grant management.
    Demonstrated knowledge of financial and management systems, regulations and reporting requirements. Evidence of the ability to be creative and flexible within those requirements.
    Analytical capabilities with accounting procedures and processes for structuring projects.
    Knowledge of grants management software and information technology skills

    Management and Communications:

    Ability to communicate technical, budgetary and program details to staff, grantees and applicants.
    Ability to design and implement effective workflow processes and procedures.Capability to foster an atmosphere, which recognizes and respects cultural and individual differences.
    Capability to foster an atmosphere, which recognizes and respects cultural and individual differences

  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

    Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

    PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
    Mercy Corps has been operating in Kenya since 2008, focusing its interventions around four objectives: 1) Peace and Conflict Management; 2) Livelihood/Market Systems; 3) Governance (particularly at the county level); and 4) 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 seeks to implement a multi-year, 12 million GBP program funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). Building Resilience in Civil Society (BRICS II) will engage local and national government, local civil society organizations and communities to mitigate the drivers, enablers and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa through support to policy initiatives, community engagement, and support to national civil society organizations in order to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals by violent extremist organizations. The program will work in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda, through strategies adapted to the context and opportunities in each country to advance research, legislation and field implementation of activities.
    GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
    The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager is responsible for leading the overall integration of monitoring, evaluation & learning for the program. S/he is responsible for facilitating a participatory process in order to develop Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning strategies and frameworks tailored to the program.
    The MEL Manager shall work closely with the program’s Research and Learning team, ensuring that the program has a robust system in place to measure program results, has a rigorous monitoring system that is regularly collecting performance data, that partners have the skills to collect and report relevant data, and that monitoring and evaluation data is being used to inform research priorities and programmatic decision-making.
    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
    MONITORING AND EVALUATION

    Contribute to program-level M&E planning and system development at program start-up.
    Facilitate indicator planning, design and negotiation with CSSF on the M&E system development.
    Work with the program team to define program indicators and targets for all program years, based on CSSF guidance of standard required and applicable indicators; where applicable and desirable, include Mercy Corps Alpha Indicators or other innovative indicators to measure program impact.
    Lead the program in the design of the detailed M&E plan, including design of data collection tools and methodologies, M&E workflow, data flow, data integrity, data quality assurance, database design and protocols, secondary research to inform baseline assessments and measurement frameworks, and ensuring alignment with Mercy Corps and Industry standards.
    Coordinate assessments, evaluations and monitoring surveys in areas of operation. This will entail development of Scopes of Work, development of survey tools, training’s and management of data collectors, report write and facilitating results discussion.
    Champion the inclusion of qualitative data collection and analysis for both direct and supplemental measurements of program performance. Train teams in appropriate methods for focus group discussion and key informant interviews and lead field-based qualitative data collection as needed.
    Work with partners to develop individualized M&E plans that feed into the program’s overarching M&E plan, and train and coach partners on data collection, reporting and using M&E tools.

    KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT & LEARNING

    Build a collaborative network of relationships with implementing partners and other stakeholders to encourage learning networks that promote shared learning, aligned approaches, and mutual accountability to quality data collection and programming
    Contribute to the development and implementation of knowledge management to further stimulate use of evidence for learning, strategic adaptive management, and high-impact programming.
    Work closely with the program’s research partners to define and execute a research strategy, and ensure that M&E data is available to feed into research activities.
    Contribute to program visibility and advocacy work by assisting in dissemination of program results and learning information.
    Coordinate closely with implementing partners to ensure our activities and data are shared and synced up together and tell one cohesive story.
    Connect best practices and learning from within the program and across Mercy Corps countries to ensure an evolving and effective learning system for improving program implementation.
    Work with country program team to capture lessons learned during program implementation, and feed this information into thought leadership and research opportunities and into ongoing program management and program design.
    Collect and compile impact stories and evidence from the program on a regular basis.

    In coordination with program team, drive the capacity building of program staff on design and M&E concepts through trainings and new hire orientation, including designing and delivering formal trainings. Design comprehensive orientation for all new staff.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    Serve as technical advisor for technology for data management systems and real-time data flow, utilizing appropriate software platforms for cloud aggregation, data processing and manipulation, and data visualization and utilization. This includes learning and testing new software platforms, as well as working with tech partners to develop both project and country level information management systems.

    · Assist teams in setting up appropriate summary statistics and relational calculations in program databases and link them to tracking dashboards. Help develop the appropriate workflow.

    · Understand, maintain and innovate the technical components (including hardware, software, database, etc.) of the MEL information and data management system that improves MC’s ability to implement quality programs through better collection, management, analysis and presentation of data, and represent impact to donor, government bodies, peer organizations and communities using standard technologies.

    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: Program M&E team
    ACCOUNTABILITY
    REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Research and Learning Manager
    WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Team Lead, Research Team, Policy Team, Program Team, Implementing Partners.
    KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

    MA/S or equivalent experience in international development, economics, statistics, peace and conflict studies, or other relevant subject with strong quantitative background, and at least four years of experience in progressively increasing M&E responsibility in international development projects. The candidate must have experience in leading the M&E of a large project. Previous experience working on Conflict or Peacebuilding program is an added advantage.
    Strong conceptual knowledge about theories of change, logic model, peace and security indicators, M&E plan, data quality assurance, data utilization, and gender integration into M&E.
    Demonstrated experience and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan.
    Demonstrated expertise and experience in developing and operationalizing routine monitoring system designed to track both output and outcome indicators.
    Strong quantitative background and demonstrated expertise in designing annual monitoring surveys including probabilistic sampling strategy and estimating sample size, developing appropriate weights, and analyze quantitative data.
    Demonstrated expertise in designing qualitative studies, in-depth knowledge about qualitative sampling, and experienced in using interview and interactive tools to generate qualitative information and analysis.
    Experience in developing data quality assurance strategies, data management, and data visualization.
    Demonstrated expertise and experience in data utilization strategies and can creatively think about active data sharing techniques.
    Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and other language(s), as required.

  • Consultant – Short-Term Proposal Writing – Africa.

    Consultant – Short-Term Proposal Writing – Africa.

    Purpose / Project Description:
    Short-term consultants will provide surge support on key business development initiatives. Short-term consultants are sought for a range of humanitarian and development focused opportunities.
    The Consultant will be tasked with working closely with Mercy Corps Country offices and Headquarters teams to design and develop a competitive proposal based on field research, consultations with key internal and external stakeholders, input from technical and business development experts, and a thorough design process.
    Consultant Activities/Deliverables:
    Responsibilities will include a range of activities related to pre-positioning, leading design workshops, development of strategy and lead writing. Specific responsibilities and deliverables will be tailored to individual business development opportunities and in-country needs.
    Timeframe / Schedule: 
    Contingent on specific proposal opportunities.
    Required Experience & Skills:

    5-10 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, WCNA regions.
    Preferable experience with emergency as well as development proposal writing
    Masters degree preferred; International Development or Business Science preferred.
    Proven ability to work productively with a wide variety of stakeholders to run both participatory process and also 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 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 or Native-level spoken and written French

  • Global Human Resources Officer

    Global Human Resources Officer

    Program / Department Summary
    The People and Strategy Team ensures that Mercy Corps has the people, strategies and learning that will enable it to be a world-class, cutting edge, humanitarian organization, creating transformational change in the world. We do this through: the recruitment, retention and development of the best global talent. Our aim is to drive strategic thinking and planning at all levels of the organization; create a robust body of research to guide us internally and externally and steward the organizational culture. To achieve this, we align conversations on learning; keep the organization focused on what has the greatest impact; leverage our comparative advantages in the crowded and competitive international relief and development landscape; and assure we are constantly learning from our work and the external environment.
    General Position Summary
    The Global HR Officer is responsible for completing a range of HR duties working under the guidance of the Senior Human Resource Officer. This position will also provide support to the Global Human Resources Team and external support to the Mercy Corps Global team, balancing the day-to-day needs of team members in a timely and accurate manner with a spirit of teamwork and service. This position collaborates with partners from the People Team to ensure the “people needs” of Mercy Corps team members align with and are accounted for within the organization’s strategic initiatives.
    Essential Job ResponsibilitiesGlobal Human Resources**

    Responsible for all team member life-cycle activities for expat or HQ team members in assigned region including – employment offer letters, orienting new team members and transfer team member, consultant agreements, team member new hire paperwork and notices, unemployment, background checks, letters of authority, assignment and employment verification, shipping, 403(b)/TCN eligibility, and unemployment claims.
    Communicates effectively. Understand how to approach conversations differently, given audience and situation dynamics, in order to achieve desired results.
    Collaborates with field-based HR practitioners. Supports a community of information sharing and inter-regional problem solving.
    Working under the guidance of the Senior Human Resource Officer, coordinates with Finance and the Program department on the correct application of Mercy Corps’ shipping policies; making recommendations regarding continued improvement of these policies and practices.
    Track and obtain confirmed start dates for all hires, performance review dates and generate reminders; coordinate timely and accurate completion of Personnel Action Forms (PAFs) for all changes and end of service activity.
    Co-manage the HR Services, Shipping and Consultant inboxes, forwarding or addressing incoming correspondence to the appropriate team member for follow-up.
    Process and prepare all consultant requests and addendums that includes ensuring the necessary approvals and supporting documents have been received and double checking that the scope of work meets guidelines and is in line with Request form.
    Distribute HR notices for all new-hires, transfers and ends of service. Continually assess processes and materials used, to ensure clear, consistent and transparent messages and processes.
    Reconcile and process assigned HR related invoices.
    Responsible for providing technical support to national offices upon request and, if needed, during emergency operations; including development or review of National Team Handbook submissions, national Salary Scales, national Benefit Summaries, etc. and also coordinate the support with other People Team Department
    Conduct multiple HR Assessments in partnership with Senior HR Officer, per fiscal year; includes conducting remote audit of in-country HR files, documents, policies, practices, etc. Responsible for coordinating the HR Assessment Report and following up with national teams during resolution process for any/all findings.
    Assist with all internal and external audit requests relating to HR files and benefits for assigned regions of responsibility.
    Data validation, entering, and approval through the Human Capital Management System (HCM) & Consultant Database.
    Other duties as assigned.

    Strategy & Vision

    Advocates for proactive people centric policies and initiatives that align with Mercy Corps’ strategic priorities and promote positive organizational culture.
    Keep up to date on trends in global human resource management, particularly in the international humanitarian aid sector.
    Understands how effective human resource management informs and complements core business objectives.

    Personal Leadership

    Consistently demonstrate flexibility, resilience, ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
    Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
    Demonstrate an awareness of his/her personal strengths and development needs.

    Collaboration

    Collaborate closely with members of the Global Human Resources and People and Strategy teams, regional and country- level leadership, field-based HR practitioners and peers in other HQ departments.
    Respond to and address questions, issues and inquiries within the current Global Human Resources standard of 3 days from receipt.
    Understand the operational impact of this role within the broader context of the organization, with a particular appreciation on the interdependency of effective HR practices and interdepartmental collaboration.
    Collaborates with the larger People & Strategy team to project manage fiscal year priorities and complete projects in line with deadlines.

    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
    None.
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: Sr. Global Human Resources Officer
    Works Directly With: Global Human Resources Department
    Success Factors
    The successful team member will be an avid learner, self-directed, innovative and action orientated. Furthermore, they must have the ability to work independently, employ effective time management skills, handle frequent interruptions and shift priorities, exhibit effective customer service skills and work effectively with a wide variety of individuals including team members based overseas. S/he will have the ability to work onsite and collaborate with team members, deliver compelling designs within the guidelines of specific project objective and interact professionally and productively with HQ and other global staff. Additionally, the individual will thrive in a fast-paced environment prone to rapid change and be willing to increase his/her responsibility level in the assigned areas. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a positive approach, a strong commitment to teamwork and personal accountability and the ability to be flexible and ensure that effective communication is a priority in all situations.
    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions This position is based outside of the United States, although some out-of-area and possible out-of-country travel may be expected. Approximately 20% travel in support of Mercy Corps programs.Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.
    Knowledge and Experience

    A demonstrated top performer with energy, intelligence, strong analytical skills and highly evolved interpersonal skills.
    Possesses superb written and spoken communication skills.
    Excellent computer skills, knowledge of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), Excel and demonstrated skills in database management and record keeping
    Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Human Resources or personnel management or bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, administrative services or a related field, or extensive prior experience in human resources; or as an assistant, administrator, or in a clerical position
    General knowledge of employment laws and best practices.
    General knowledge of East, central and South African context is needed.
    Multi-lingual is a ‘plus’ (English and required, any other language such French, Swahili and or Arabic is an advantage that we will take in consideration)
    Able to maintain operational consistency with other team members and actively keep management informed.
    Demonstrated history of providing excellent customer service and a high level of attention to detail.
    Ability to follow procedures, complete tasks with high quality outputs, meets deadlines and works well under pressure and cooperatively with team members.
    A historically demonstrated ability to maintain confidential information.
    Must have strong analytical, mathematical and problem solving skills, effective organizational and interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication.
    Understanding of HR processes and data, common analytical techniques and methodologies to share information and trends with non-HR professionals.
    Should be a member of a relevant HR professional body

  • Consultancy Service

    Consultancy Service

    Details:
    Program Context                                                                                                                                                          
    One billion people in rural areas around the world live on less than US$1.25 a day1 including nearly 500 million smallholder farmers (SHF) who provide 80% of the food for the developing world.2  For the 70 million smallholder farmers living in Sub Saharan Africa,3 farm productivity is only 56% of the world’s average. This is due to a range of risk factors, including weak infrastructure, poor market linkages and lack of access to information and critical services including finance, inputs and extension, as well as a wide range of social factors.4 
    SHFs are the most underserved group in the world by financial services, with women and youth at a particular disadvantage.5 Investment in this sector is critical, as economic growth from agriculture is at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors.6 at an estimated $450 billion, the global demand for smallholder agricultural finance is largely unmet. Impact-driven agricultural lenders are estimated to reach no more than two percent of demand.7 Digital technology can be a powerful tool to reach smallholders with information, market linkages and financial services with extremely low costs at sufficient scale. A recent McKinsey study estimates that mobile and internet technology can drive up to $3 billion in annual agricultural productivity gains by 2025.8 However, McKinsey points to the specific scale challenge for mobile agriculture services, recommending focus on the full ecosystem around farmers, including warehousing, logistics, finance and insurance to drive a critical mass of uptake.9 It is difficult for a single player to achieve scale in this space on its own. Partnerships and high functioning market ecosystems are essential to build sustainable and efficient agricultural markets.
    The AgriFin Digital Farmer program is a two-year, $5 million program funded by the Gates Foundation.  The core problem AgriFin Accelerate seeks to address is the inclusion gap for smallholder farmers (SHF) who lack access to affordable, accessible, demand-driven financial products and services that drive higher productivity and income for farm families. The ecosystems required to serve smallholders are both complex and fragmented. Market actors are often hampered by lack of strong understanding of smallholder needs and are therefore unable to design impactful products, channels and other relevant services for them. At the same time, farmers often lack the information, trust and capacity to access and productively utilize new products and tools. This is a key area related to AgriFin’s nascent communications strategy.                     
    AgriFin Digital Farmer Program Overview                                                                                                  
    Drawing on Mercy Corps’ experience implementing the AgriFin Mobile and AgriFin Accelerate programs and years of work in the agriculture, finance and ICT sectors, the AgriFin Digital Farmer (ADF) program.  Mercy Corps’ AgriFin Digital Farmer (ADF) is a two-year, $5 million initiative that will support the expansion of high-impact, digitally-enabled services to at least one million farmers over two years across four countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. ADF will increase smallholder income and productivity by 50%, reaching at least 40% women in the process. The program will result in increased smallholder farmer inclusion, productivity and income, as well as a range of digitally-enabled models and institutional partners to drive inclusive agricultural transformation with direct benefit to smallholders throughout Africa. AgriFin’s primary target group is unbanked smallholder farmers living on less than $2 per day. Across all four target countries, ADF’s approach will be grounded in our technical engagement model consisting of 1) a rapid iteration, fail-fast approach to drive innovative, client-centric product development; 2) support to design and broker new types of partnerships to transform product delivery capacities; and 3) work with partners to develop high-impact “bundles” of digitally-enabled services offering farmers affordable access to full suites of affordable, relevant services at scale. We work with farmers, buyers, suppliers, banks, mobile network operators, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to leverage the offer and outreach of all partners while increasing the range of services, access points, and value for farmers on shared platforms. The program will support partners and engagements in the following areas of innovation:

    Interactive technologies to support rural advisory and smart farming tools for farmers
    Human-centered design to develop flexible financial products informed by farmers’ needs
    Digitally-enabled logistics and distribution solutions to address underlying market constraints
    Digital market platforms are accessible and relevant for farmers and market actors
    Use cases of digital data to support credit scoring, smart farming and agricultural data exchanges.

    ADF will develop tailored approaches to each of the four countries of engagement linked to ecosystem research and partner due diligence and engagement structuring linked to strong partner co-investment, with a consistent focus on women’s inclusion.
    Kenya: Deep Dive Support with Safaricom’s DigiFarm and other Partners
    Kenya is the world’s leading market for digital inclusion and innovation reaching smallholder farmers. Over the past three years, AgriFin Accelerate has worked with 22 partners in Kenya, including leading mobile network operator (MNO) Safaricom, reaching more than 800,000 smallholders. ADF will expand select platform services across Kenya, deepening the range and outreach of services, and increasing impact for farmers. With key partner Safaricom, the program will focus on expansion of the “DigiFarm” platform to include a digital marketplace, smart farming solutions and deeper financial services for farmers, while driving public learning to encourage replication and ecosystem development across the region as a public good.
    Tanzania: Deep Dive Support with Vodacom’s DigiFarm and Partners
    Mercy Corps’ AgriFin Accelerate programming has worked with 15 leading institutions in Tanzania, including banks, MNOs, government, agricultural companies, and technology innovators. ADF will support partners that are improving and scaling their product offerings to farmers, including the National Microfinance Bank, the World Food Program’s Farm to Market Alliance and leading MNO, Vodacom, which plans to adapt the DigiFarm platform for Tanzania.
    Ethiopia and Nigeria: “Light Touch” ADF programming
    Both Mercy Corps and existing partners have established offices in Ethiopia and Nigeria and extensive programming in agriculture and financial services. Given the nascent development of digital solutions for agriculture in these markets, Mercy Corps will deliver a “light touch” ADF approach in Ethiopia and Nigeria to minimize operational expenses and maximize investments in private sector partners. ADF will support three to five partner engagements in each country to support emerging innovations and partnerships that will seed growth, new products, and solutions for future scale. ADF will rapidly map potential transformative partners linked to BMGF priorities for each country, including core digital platforms and value added service providers (VAS). ADF will carefully select two to three partner engagements per country per year, bringing the ADF expertise and approach into these markets to help accelerate development of services to farmers.
    In partnership with BMGF, ADF will support the expansion of high-impact, digitally-enabled services to at least one million farmers over two years, across Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria, increasing farmer income and productivity by 50% while reaching 40% women. Three outcomes will contribute to the achievement of this goal:
    Outcome 1: Smallholder farmers increase income and productivity through increased access to demand-driven, technology-enabled rural advisory services, smart farming solutions and more efficient, inclusive financing and markets;
    Outcome 2: Private sector actors increase quality and reach of services to farmers through scalable and high-impact Digital Financial Services and Digital Information Services products, services and delivery models that are tailored to the needs of smallholder farmers
    Outcome 3: Public learning and program activities increase private sector and governmental engagement in effective delivery of digitally-enabled rural advisory, market access, financial and farm management services to smallholder farmers, leveraging improved data exchange environments.
     
    Purpose of Engagement                                                                                                                                
    AgriFin Digital Farmer has recently completed a number of scoping missions in Nigeria and has established relationships with a number of partners major ones listed below. The different partners are at various stages of project development and the short term consultant will be required to further these partnership relationships and support the ADF technical team in successful implementation and evaluation of the same.
    Partners met include; FarmCrowdy, Flower Mills of Nigeria, AgroMall, AFEX, NIRSAL, Thrive, CropIT, Quick Check, Cellulant, UBA, Sterling Bank, Thrive, Hellotractor, Kobo 360, Dangote, Olam, Ignitia, Viamo, Flutterwave, Paga, Zenvus and Mines.io.
    Scope of Work
    This scope of work sets the terms of reference for individual consultant for AgriFin Digital Farmer Nigeria Implementation. Under the direction of the ADF Technical teams, the consultant will be responsible for the following key activities and is expected to provision for 10 man-days per month.
    Partner Engagement Support

    Support strong partner relationships, project plans and product roadmaps.
    Perform tasks based on project plans, those agreed with ADF management, and those assigned by program management.
    Monitor project progress, report and resolve, or assist in resolving issues, under direction of ADF management
    Prepare project progress reports and status updates.
    Conduct due diligence on prospective partners, compile required legal documents and share reports on the same.
    Conduct desk review of Nigerian ecosystems as well as ongoing learning meetings with program stakeholders related to program focus areas, working in coordination with technical team managers. 
    Assist the program in identifying technical consultants as needed, in preparing terms of reference and scopes of work, and provide support and oversight for consultants as required. 
    Assist in development of partner business and work plans, reviewing research, marketing plans, business processes, operational manuals, product and technology specifications, and financial statements to do so.  

    This project implementation shall be fully consultative with key stakeholders and all learning outputs will be developed in close coordination with ADF and related partners to ensure recommendations and final learning outputs remain strategically aligned the program strategy.
    Deliverables                                                               
    The consultants will provide ADF with the following deliverables, with specific timelines to be agreed in the approved consultant workplan:

    Weekly back to office report (BTOR) following partner meetings and engagements, including a summary of project status, potential project risks, and any other updates from partner meetings with ADF partners, existing donors, contractors, and other ecosystem members.
    Weekly check-ins minutes with the Task Managers – this is outside of the standing Technical Team meetings.
    Monthly report updating project status, potential risks and any other updates from partnership implementation in the month.
    Final/handover report on activities with partners and future prospects for developments in additional program areas with working partners.

    Project Learning Agenda                                                                      
    The following Key ADF Learning Agenda questions will be addressed:

    What financial and value-added products and services do SHFs, including women and youth, value most and why?
    How does bundling of products and services impact uptake and usage of digital financial services?
    What capacity building tools have the highest impact on SHFs willingness and ability to use digital financial services?
    How and to what extent have ADF partners have been successful to achieve scale and commercial sustainability?
    What are the main drivers of success and failure of different partnership and bundled approaches?

    Ownership/Control of Work Product/Publication           
    Matters relating to ownership and control of work product and publication of materials produced during course of this engagement are addressed in the main contract agreement entered into between Mercy Corps and the Consultant for performance of services for AgriFin Digital Farmer.
    Authorship and Acknowledgement                                                                               
    Matters relating to authorship and acknowledgment of any materials produced by the Consultant during the course of this engagement are addressed in the main contract agreement entered into between Mercy Corps and the Consultant for performance of services for AgriFin Digital Farmer.

  • East and Southern Africa Regional Facilitator

    East and Southern Africa Regional Facilitator

    Program / Department Summary
    The East and Southern Africa Regional Facilitator is a position on the Implementer Led Design, Evidence, Analysis, and Learning (IDEAL) program—a $30 million-dollar program over 5 years, which is designed to provide strategic capacity strengthening to implementing partners of USAID’s Office of Food for Peace (FFP), and other food security stakeholders. The IDEAL program is a global Leader with Associates (LWA) agreement, led by Save the Children. IDEAL is the successor to the successfully implemented Technical and Operational Performance Support (TOPS) Program, also funded by USAID/Office of Food for Peace. The stated goal of IDEAL is to contribute to improved design, implementation and overall effectiveness of USAID’s FFP development and emergency food aid programs. It will accomplish this by improving the technical and operational capacity of implementing partners through promotion of best practices and support for peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
    General Position Summary
    The East and Southern Africa Regional Facilitator will be responsible for advancing IDEAL’s strategy and vision in East and Southern African countries that are targeted by USAID/FFP programming. By enabling implementing partners (IPs) to identify capacity development priorities, connecting them with resources and networks, facilitating peer-to-peer learning and holding consultations so that FFP better understands IP challenges and perspectives, s/he will ensure that IDEAL acts as a problem-solver for the food and nutrition security implementing community. S/he will work collaboratively with FFP-funded Associate Awards that are also building IP knowledge and capacity in emergency and development food and nutrition security issues in the region.
    Essential Job Responsibilities
    Program Management

    Work with emergency and development IPs to identify knowledge and skill gaps in the effective provision of food security programming and build awareness of the IDEAL program while linking them to the resources and support the program can offer.
    Facilitate peer-to-peer learning exchanges and identify opportunities for sustainable linkages among food security stakeholders.
    Conduct trainings and/or support subject-matter experts in the facilitation of a training or training-of-trainers in topics related to emergency or development food security programming;
    Identify roster of regional subject-matter experts and facilitators from IP community, academia, government and the private sector;
    Facilitate sessions at IDEAL knowledge sharing meetings and support the team in successful production of large-scale learning events;
    Actively promote small grants program to enable the submission of high-quality applications, and assist in review and selection of grant awardees as needed;
    Provide oversight and support to small grant launch, implementation and M&E in region as needed; and,
    Contribute to the monitoring of IDEAL’s outputs, outcomes and impact through routine collection of indicator data for IDEAL activities in East and Southern Africa;
    Collaborate with IDEAL’s M&E staff and Senior Management to interpret data and qualitative feedback and make recommendations to adapt activities or approaches for better outcomes; and
    Other duties as assigned.

    Team Management

    Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resource teams to ensure operational systems support IDEAL field activities;
    Coordinate effectively with IDEAL leadership and other Regional Facilitators;
    Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants as needed;
    Maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and agency needs,
    Other duties as assigned.

    Finance & Compliance Management

    Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps financial and operations management regulations.
    Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.Influence & Representation
    Establish effective communication channels with FFP and other US government, international organization and host country government stakeholders;
    Meet regularly with Regional FFP representatives, USAID Missions and IPs to solicit communities’ priorities, convey the goals and activities of IDEAL, promote communication flows and foster a sense of partnership;
    Build brand recognition for IDEAL and promote the use of IDEAL’s resources, including peer-to-peer exchanges, learning events, and the FSN Network website;
    Effectively coordinate with leadership and activities of FFP-funded Associate Awards, including REAL, SCALE and PRO-WASH;
    Participate in IDEAL and FFP workshops, consultations and other events held in the region; and,
    Facilitate the capture of additional capacity gaps, challenges, and promising practices to feed into IDEAL’s planning and prioritization processes, ensuring that implementer perspectives inform IDEAL’s global mission.

    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
    None
    Accountability
    Reports Directly To: The IDEAL Senior Food Security Technical Advisor
    Works Directly With: The IDEAL Food Security Technical Officer, The Mercy Corps Senior Gender Advisor, IDEAL’s Resilience and Adaptive Management Specialist, other Regional Coordinators within IDEAL, the IDEAL Learning and Capacity Development teams, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research teams, as well as the technical focal points of IDEAL’s other consortium members.
    Knowledge and Experience

    A minimum five years of experience working on food and/or nutrition security programs. Direct experience implementing FFP-funded Development Food Security Activities (DFSAs) or Emergency Food Security Programs (EFSPs) is preferred;
    Experience in leading knowledge management and capacity development within the international development industry;
    Master’s degree in a field related to international development or Bachelor’s degree with minimum of seven years of experience working on food and/or nutrition security programs.
    Proven ability in project management and representation.
    Demonstrated expertise in food and nutrition security development priorities in East and/or Southern Africa.
    Verbal and written fluency in English and good communications skills.
    Ability to travel internationally as and when required.

    Success Factors
    The successful applicant will possess technical expertise in the food security sector combined with practical experience working within food security programs. He/She will have experience and interest in networking throughout the food security-focused development and humanitarian industry in east and southern Africa and in taking an active role in improving capacity among the industry. He/She will be self-motivated and able to think creatively about achieving capacity-building objectives for global, multi-organizational target audience. He/She will have good networking and relationship building skills and the ability to represent the organization at formal and informal functions and meetings, including interacting with senior officials from implementers and donors of food security emergency and development programs. He/She will be resilient and remain calm under pressure. He/She will have a high degree of flexibility and adaptability in order to respond to changing needs and comfort dealing with ambiguity. He/She will have a proactive approach to work and ability to identify and implement effective processes for achieving outcomes, and is a committed team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
    Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
    The position will be based in either Addis Ababa, Kampala or Nairobi and it requires up to 40% travel to regional locations and the USA.
    Security in potential locations is generally good. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from well-served international airports.
    Air and road travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices, although might be inconsistent. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive. Each potential location has a good number of schools with different education philosophies and curricula (including British, American and French). Each location is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partners and/or dependents.
    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.
    FFP countries in the two regions include Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Angola.

    A minimum five years of experience working on food and/or nutrition security programs. Direct experience implementing FFP-funded Development Food Security Activities (DFSAs) or Emergency Food Security Programs (EFSPs) is preferred;
    Experience in leading knowledge management and capacity development within the international development industry;
    Master’s degree in a field related to international development or Bachelor’s degree with minimum of seven years of experience working on food and/or nutrition security programs.
    Proven ability in project management and representation.
    Demonstrated expertise in food and nutrition security development priorities in East and/or Southern Africa.
    Verbal and written fluency in English and good communications skills.
    Ability to travel internationally as and when required.

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