Capacity Development Senior Support Officer (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps program addresses a large array of needs and gaps, across a number of technical sectors across the response region. Projects include emergency response for basic needs; livelihoods and protection projects; WASH projects. This department will be supporting local partners technical and institutional capacity.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Capacity Development Senior Support Officer will support the development and management of Capacity Development program and activities within the region. Under the direct supervision of the Capacity Development Manager (CDM), the Capacity Development Officer will be responsible for assisting mainly in assessing and identifying needs for partner capacity development, facilitating sessions, preparing plan, and following on the implementation, monitoring, evaluating and documentation of trainings and other capacity development activities. The Capacity Development Senior Support Officer will work closely with the partner(s), finance and operations to ensure smooth, efficient and effective implementation of capacity development initiatives.

Essential Responsibilities

Capacity Development Support

• • Support in the roll out of capacity development tools and collection of capacity development information internally and externally.
  • With the guidance of the Capacity Development Manager, support in the preparation and launching of the capacity development call for applications for partners. 
  • Assist in relevant sessions and workshops with partners to identify strategic priorities in terms of partners’ organizational capacity development.
  • Support in the completion of the search, scoping and mapping process (LNGOs, CBOs) as requested and needed.
  • Support in the conduction of prospective/current partner assessments on organizational and institutional levels
  • Coordinate the development of integrated capacity building plans for all partners in collaboration with program and support teams (mainly focusing on Finance, Human Resources, and Operations) and ensure that these plans are implemented in a timely and effective manner.
  • Assists the capacity development manager in setting up the needed logistics for the organization of capacity development activities.
  • Provide day-to-day support and management of capacity strengthening activities with the relevant focal points.
  • Support in drafting internal and external reports for donors on capacity development plans and progress and feed in the lessons learned in the capacity development and the processes.
  • Attend bi-weekly partner catch-up meetings, collect follow up reports while incorporating the main findings, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
  • Responsible for keeping and updating the partner’s profile tracker with the support of the capacity development Manager.
  • Support in assessing, monitoring and evaluation of partner capacity development process and activities.
  • Maintain physical and electronic (including online documentation) record of all capacity development resources and update it on regular basis.
  • 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.
  • Assist in any other relevant task or duty assigned by the supervisor.

Organizational & Partnership Development Support

• • Responsible for having a wide understanding of partner capacity on institutional levels in order to be able to input to the capacity development manager on partner capabilities, areas of weakness and suitability for programmatic, operational, and capacity development efforts.
  • Support in drafting and finalization of partner agreements in line with Mercy Corps and partnership requirements.
  • Facilitate and provide regular operational and compliance capacity building and training for partners, drawing on MC expertise. Training topics may include but not limited to: Finance, Procurement, HR basics and essentials, International standards and requirements for NGO work, etc.
  • Ensure that partners are being monitored for progress against deliverables and their capacity building plan, as well as against donor compliance and internal Mercy Corps’ procedures.
  • Provide support as needed to develop monitoring tools tailored for the partners’ needs.
  • Support in partners performance/projects evaluation and after-action reviews related to capacity development.
  • In close coordination with the Finance and Sub-Awards department, monitor the timely submission of accurate financial reports and regularly review, adjust and share partners’ financial forecasts.
  • Work closely with support teams to get their feedback and observations regarding existing partner’ capacities and identified gaps, needs, and opportunities.
  • Assist the Support Sector Manager in the implementation and evaluation of the capacity development activities.
  • Oversee Mercy Corps’ thematic, cross cutting and customized training conducted with the partners and support with the identification of external service providers when and as needed.
  • Coordinate phase out plans with partners, supporting their sustainability plans and capacity improvements to lead local development work in the future.

Representation and Coordination

• • As required by the supervisor, represent Mercy Corps at internal and external meetings.
  • Ensure proper cross-sectoral coordination in all capacity development related initiatives and activities.
  • Coordinate with Finance, Logistics, MEAL, and other sectors as needed,
  • Under supervision of the Capacity Development Manager, develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies, humanitarian coordination groups including humanitarian and human rights organizations, local authorities and local partners.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Capacity Development Manager

Works Directly With: All Mercy Corps department and staff as well as staff from partner(s) organizations

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• • University Degree or Higher in field relating to Finance, HR, Procurement and Logistics, or’ a relatable field.
  • 2-3 years of experience working in Finance, HR, Procurement and Logistics, or’ a relatable field.
  • Preferred experience working in Non-Governmental Organization, ideally focused on Capacity Development, Partnerships and/or humanitarian relief.
  • Proven experience focused on managing complex programs and /or partnership contracts, implementation of projects through sub-grantees, developing organizational capacity building plans.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of Finance, Procurement, logistics and HR systems.
  • Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs and Community Based Organizations.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills.
  • Good facilitation skills are required.
  • 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 is an asset.
  • 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.
  • Commitment to high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
  • Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential; Excellent written English is desired.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

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 Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

N/A

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.