Program Officer - Cash for Work at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps Nigeria’s humanitarian program aims to provide assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Northeast Nigeria. With funding from humanitarian donors including OFDA, FFP, EU, and ECHO the humanitarian programs engage in several interventions including but not limited to food assistance, non-food items (NFI), protection, livelihoods, cash transfers, WASH and capacity building of humanitarian response actors. Mercy Corps is scaling-up and expanding its humanitarian response in Northeast Nigeria to reach more beneficiaries with additional assistance in a wider geographic area.

We are  recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title:  Program Officer - Cash for Work

Location: Gombe/Adamawa/Borno (Candidates should express interest by indicating location of preference)

General Position Summary

• The Cash for Work (CFW) Program Officer is responsible for assisting in the implementation of CFW activities in the intervention communities of southern Borno and Gombe States.
• With support from the Livelihoods Manager, s/he will supervise all projects, project selection and planning, project assets, local government and community liaison work, monitoring and payment.
• The Cash for Work Program Officer will report to the Livelihoods Manager and work collaboratively with fellow program and MEL staff. S/He may also support other livelihood sector interventions including unconditional cash transfers, livelihood grants and VSLAs.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan and ensure the effective implementation of CFW.
• Coordinate all CFW activities, including area selection, community capacity, coordination.
• Review labor and time-line requirements for CFW activities, determining staffing requirements.
• Coordinate payment procedures, including documentation, approval and actual payment.
• Oversee procurement of all materials for CFW projects.
• Report on any problems encountered in the field such as project participant complaints, local authority interference, security threats to MC staff and activities.  Coordinate with MC Security Officer and Livelihoods Manager on any threats to MC staff and activities; follow up on incidents/security threats in areas of operation.
• Complete any required monitoring as outlined by the Livelihoods Manager.
• Ensure complete Mercy Corps orientation for all new staff.
• Maintain all documentation relating directly to CFW activities required to ensure accountability to the donor, particularly where labor is concerned.
• Oversee administrative matters relating directly to CFW activities:  time-sheets, payment schedules, required paper-work, and liaison with finance department.
• Work with the Livelihoods Manager to prepare monthly cash requirement forecast for CFW activities, including the purchase of materials at site and CFW labor payments.
• Provide information on CFW activities as requested by the Team Leader, Livelihoods Manager or MEL team.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S in relevant field required;
• 3 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; general program management experience required.
• Prior experience implementing distributions is required, preferably in a non-camp setting. Experience with CFW or other community micro-projects strongly preferred.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will have a can-do attitude. Ideally s/he will have previous experience in working in large-scale emergency programs in insecure and conflict-affected contexts.
• S/he is a problem solver, who is adept in successfully dealing with issues of complexity.
• S/he is an active listener and contributor, working to create a strong team share ideas and learn.

Application Closing Date
28th June, 2016.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: recruitment.nigeria@ng.mercycorps.org

Note

• All applications must include the position title in the subject line and not more than 4 pages.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
• We are an equal opportunity organization and we strongly encourage women to apply for this position.