Project Officer at Mercy Corps Nigeria - Lagos

Mercy Corps works almost exclusively in fragile and conflict-affected environments. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. We currently implement over 30 integrated peacebuilding and economic development programs in some of the world’s toughest places, including Ethiopia, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

Mercy Corps implements a UKAID-funded integrated peacebuilding and economic development program in the Middle Belt states of Nigeria. This three-year program, which began in December 2012, incorporates strong economic development and natural resource management elements in order to address underlying drivers of conflict and build cooperation between conflicting communities and build links between communities, private sector and governmental processes. The CONCUR Project Officer will provide technical assistance in implementation of this program, including travel to the target states of Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue.

Position Title: Project Officer - Conciliation in Nigeria through Community-Based Conflict Management and Cooperative Use of Resources (CONCUR)

Primary Location: Abuja, Nigeria, with up to 50% travel to project locations

General Position Summary:
The Project Officer will support the implementation of activities related to capacity building for leaders in negotiation and dispute resolution, facilitation and implementation of joint economic projects between conflicting communities, and the facilitation of events related to advocacy initiatives. The Project Officer will also provide support to all other activities related to the CONCUR program and will ensure smooth, timely, and compliant implementation. The Project Officer will liaise frequently with community members and represent Mercy Corps to local leaders.

Essential Job Functions:
Program Support

• Support technical aspects of conflict management and economic development program by assisting with the development of activities/agendas/curriculum related to peacebuilding.
• Advance progress of joint economic initiatives by coordinating and implementing the development, procurement, construction (where applicable), and follow-up of various projects.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate community meetings, events, and trainings as required.
• Ensure implementation of activities is on time, target and budget.
• Liaise with CONCUR partner organizations and potential resource persons as needed.
• In collaboration with M&E staff, implement relevant surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for on-going monitoring.
• Coordinate closely with other CONCUR personnel to ensure all objectives of the proposal and activities are met.

Representation

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Participate in coordination meetings as requested by the CONCUR Program Manager.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Project Coordinator, CONCUR
Works Directly With: Other CONCUR technical and program staff and Mercy Corps’ implementation partners.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Fluency in Hausa and English.
• BA/S or equivalent in conflict management, social sciences, international development or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in the non-profit sector in conflict management/peacebuilding, community development, or economic and market development.
• Experience working in rural areas in Nigeria, particularly in target states of CONCUR.
• Experience working in a multi-organizational team (international and national partners) is a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Experience working with country-level ministries and government officials, Ministry of Education experience preferred.

Success Factors:
The successful Project Officer will combine exceptional management skills and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to bring conflicting communities together. An ideal candidate will be conversant with the challenges inherent in peacebuilding work and will be a self-starter who has led grassroots development efforts. S/he will have an outstanding ability to support innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:
The position will be based in Abuja and will support activities in Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue, with an estimated travel of up to 50% to program 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. 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.

Application Closing Date
11th July, 2014

Method of Application
Please submit CV and cover letter addressing the key criteria above, to: [email protected] with the subject PROJECT OFFICER by 11th July, 2014