Senior Project Officer (Financial Literacy) at Mercy Corps Nigeria

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Project Officer (Financial Literacy)

Location: Kano

Program / Department Summary

• Girls’ Opportunities for Advancing Literacy 2 (GOAL 2) focus on institutionalizing and scaling the successes from GOAL 1, to ensure that Adolescent girls (15-19) across Kano state are better equipped for the school-to-work transition as a result of improved financial literacy, vocational choices and life skills.
• GOAL 1 successfully identified methods to improve girls’ confidence and knowledge around employment and financial literacy with 1,800 girls in 13 schools. Girls who received counselling and training on financial literacy and work force preparedness improved their confidence in education and entering the workforce. They were also better able to articulate their life goals and manage their money.
• GOAL 2 will scale key activities from phase one across Kano state, with potential to reach up to 253,712 girls in 536 government junior and senior secondary schools. Activities will focus on embedding quality financial literacy education and counselling within key local institutions including the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), the Kano State Secondary School Management Board (KSSSMB) and the Kano Educational Resource Department (KERD). Mercy Corps’ implementation will take advantage of two key opportunities:

General Position Summary

• The Senior Project Officer (Financial Literacy) will provide technical support and advocate to relevant government agencies in Kano state to incorporate financial literacy into relevant subjects in schools by making sure that financial literacy is a permanent and routine piece of secondary school curriculum across Kano state.
• This position will focus on institutionalization of financial literacy materials within the Kano education system and building capacity of government agencies to coordinate trainings and offer technical support both during and beyond the implementation of the project.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Support technical aspects of the project in institutionalizing and delivering financial literacy into secondary education through the support of relevant government staff
• Advocate to the government of Kano state through the ministry of education to roll out Mercy Corps financial literacy training guide in secondary schools
• Support government officials to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) and capacity strengthening trainings to teachers to deliver financial literacy in schools.
• Coordinate links with ministry of education and its agencies to ensure the implementation of activities on time, target and budget
• Identify relevant resources within government, donor organizations, private sector organizations that supports and promote financial literacy teaching in schools.
• In collaboration with M&E staff, implement relevant need assessments, data and information collection for on-going project monitoring
• Support in setting up and strengthening government management information system, communication and knowledge management
• Facilitate relationship and coordination with government to ensure that project activities are geared toward institutionalization and sustainability
• Coordinate closely with other GOAL 2 personnel to ensure all objectives of the proposal and activities are met.
• Representation
• Represent the project at government relevant meetings in the field, in close coordination with the Project Manager
• Collaborate and build relationships with government, NGOs to complement donor funding
• Accountability
• Reports Directly To: Project Manager
• Works Directly with: Deputy Director Curriculum at KERD, other staff of ministry of education and its agencies, project staff and Mercy Corps gender programs team in the field and at HQ.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in Education, Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies or other relevant field. A relevant second degree desired.
• Expertise in financial literacy, with a preference for candidates that demonstrate experience increasing financial literacy of marginalized girls.
• Experience designing, organizing and/or delivering trainings, ideally to teachers within the public education sector.
• A minimum of 4 years of experience in programme design and implementation, education, financial inclusion, gender- focused, skills building program.
• Demonstrated experience working with government ministries officials, Ministry of Education and its agencies, and /Central Bank of Nigeria experience preferred.
• Experience in project sustainability and institutional capacity strengthening
• Experience managing secondary education or school to work and especially targeting marginalized girls required. Prefer expertise in at least one of the following areas: accelerated learning programs, savings group, and financial education.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing. Hausa language skills strongly preferred
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
• Experience in Northern Nigeria strongly essential.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. 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
28th June, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: ng-recruitment.nigeria@mercycorps.org All applications must include the position title in the subject line, be not more than four pages.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.