Project Officers at Mercy Corps, International Humanitarian Organisation

Mercy Corps - Is an international development organization that helps people around the world survive and thrive during crisis and natural disaster. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries to alleviate suffering and poverty by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Since 1979, mercy Corps has been helping people in the world's toughest places to turn crises into opportunities to thrive.

Mercy Corps, International Humanitarian Organisation is looking for candidates to fill in various positions under the Promoting Peaceful Communities around Elections (PPCE) program. We are looking for motivated individuals, members of targeted community ready and willing to work in dynamic team to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer - Promoting Peaceful Communities around Elections (PPCE)

Position Level: 3
Location: Abuja, Nigeria, with up to 50% travel to project locations
Reports Directly to: PPCE Program Manager

Job Description

• Works Directly with: Other CONCUR technical and program staff, including Conflict Programs Manager, and Mercy Corps' implementation partners.

Program/Department Summary

• 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. Since the late 1990s, Mercy Corps has managed over 100 peace building projects in over 30 countries and regions, making Mercy Corps a true leader in the field. We currently implement 34 peace building programs in some of the world's toughest places.
• In Nigeria, Mercy Corps is currently implementing a UKAID-funded program called Conciliation in Nigeria through Community-Based Conflict Management and Cooperative use of Resources (CONCUR), as well as the GHR Foundation-funded Inter-religious Peacebuilding in Northern Nigerian program.
• Mercy Corps has added to its portfolio of conflict management in the Middle Belt of Nigeria with the program Promoting Peaceful Communities around Elections (PPCE), funded by the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
• This one-year program aims to strengthen the capacity of target communities and leaders to prevent and respond to religious, ethnosectarian, and political conflict before, during, and after the 2015 elections.
• The program will work in select Local Government Areas in Plateau and Nasarawa, with the following outcomes:

1. Increasing commitment to non-violent elections across religious and ethnic groups through locally led information and tolerance campaigns.
2. Increasing cooperation among community leaders, security forces, election officials, and local government leaders to prevent and respond to election-related violence.

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 messaging and information campaigns, and the facilitation of community conflict prevention meetings, and other activities as needed.
• The Project Officer will also provide support to all other activities related to the PPCE 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 peace building.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate community meetings, events, and trainings as required.
• Ensure implementation of activities is on time, target and budget.
• Liaise with PPCE 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 CONCUR and IPNN 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 PPCE Program Manager.

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/peace building, 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
Position Description:

• 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 Plateau and Nasarawa, 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
16th January, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and cover letter, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected]

Click here for more informations

Note:

• All application must include the position title: (Project Officer - PPCE) in the subject line.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.