Program Officer (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Officer’s role is to support the management of large multi-sectoral programs/grants, with a focus on livelihoods projects. Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Program Officer is responsible for coordinating and assisting partner led project, mainly in the livelihoods sector. The position holder will work closely with implementing partner(s) to ensure smooth, efficient and effective implementation of the program, including providing leading role in design of new projects. The position encompasses a wide range of project activities, including planning and coordination of high-quality interventions, monitoring, supporting budget and proposal development, collating information collected from partners, arranging trainings with partners and mentoring of specific partner staff where appropriate.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Support

• Provide leading role in supporting partners to design and set up livelihood’s projects.
• Ensure that the partner project targets are met accordingly to the implementation work-plan. This includes being responsible for the quality of periodical reports/updates and grants tracking system by ensuring that sub-grant records are kept up to date.
• Closely follow the implementation of partner activities from the design phase through to implementation and close out.
• Coordinate internally with finance, compliance, humanitarian access and program development teams, ensuring a consistent approach to project design, implementation and close out.
• Maintain well-organized and consistent filing system and tracking system for all project documentation and information.
• Supervise monitoring activities to assess the quality and effectiveness of projects. Provide follow-up recommendations and solutions where there are problems in implementation.
• Help design project frameworks/objectives with local partners/NGOs, and ensure that the projects funded all meet set criteria and standards.

• Organize and participate in the facilitation of meetings/workshops/trainings to help increase the capacity of local staff and implementing partners in planning and implementation of emergency response programs.
• Support local partner organizations throughout the process and respond to their requests.

• 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.
• Keep up to day with all contextual changes and the impact on current future projects.

• Assist in any other task or duty assigned by the supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• University Degree or Higher in field relating to humanitarian and development work or’ Degree relevant to one or more of the following technical sectors (Mainly Economic Development, Livelihoods)
• 2-5 years of experience working in Non-Governmental Organization.
• Desired demonstrated expertise in implementation of humanitarian projects.
• Experience in implementing humanitarian programs with preference for experience in livelihoods programming
• Good understanding of structure and processes in NGOs.  
• Demonstrated experience in programming in highly insecure environments.
• Commitment to local capacity development and experience of engaging and working with local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs and Community Based Organizations.
• Good organizational and basic project management skills.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
• Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, HAP is an asset.
• Working understanding of procurement, administration and finance systems.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team and independently.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Middle Eastern conflict context in the region and understands project needs.
• Commitment to high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential.