Field Manager (Dikwa) 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 partner to put bold solutions into action; helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps Nigeria was established in 2012 to respond to these challenges.

The Nigeria team is headquartered in Abuja, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with offices throughout Nigeria delivering multi-sectoral life-saving humanitarian support, early recovery, and development programs. Specific sectoral work includes girls’ education and financial inclusion, community peacebuilding, market-based livelihoods and a multi-sector humanitarian response. With the vision of a Nigeria in which all people are empowered, engaged, resilient and secure, Mercy Corps Nigeria focuses on the root causes of conflict, governance, humanitarian needs, and market systems development. Working with a diverse funding base, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We stand with Nigeria to find and access opportunities, and to be part of lasting and meaningful.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Manager

Location: Dikwa, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time, Regular
Supervisory Responsibility: Yes
Reports Directly to: Senior Field Manager
Work Directly with: Programs, Operation, Logistics and Finance

General Position Summary

• Mercy Corps is looking for a Field Manager that is responsible for leading a diverse team and managing Mercy Corps operations and multi-sectoral program of Humanitarian Assistance, early recovery, and long-term development in the Deep Field Location.
• The field manager is responsible for project management and the implementation of program quality and accountability and ensuring Mercy Corps policies and procedures are adhered to by all staff all other contractors for Mercy Corps.
• She/he is responsible for enforcing strict ethical and integrity standards and ensures that those cases of violation of ethics such as fraud, corruption, and breach of code of conduct are reported, documented, and dealt with according to Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• As the most senior staff for Mercy Corps in the Field location, the Field Manager is responsible for representing Mercy Corps to partner organizations and local authorities and for coordination with other NGOs. The post holder will represent Mercy Corps on the local government level on all coordination platforms.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Project Management:

• Oversee ongoing programs and startup of new programs in field locations.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to achieve the desired impact
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities, authorities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan
• Fulfil Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Conduct monitoring visits to the field sites in the communities to ensure that all targeted program beneficiaries are rightly benefitting from Mercy Corps interventions.
• Supervise and be responsible for all technical aspects of project implementation, ensuring that all interventions are completed in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner according to standard engineering methods.
• Ensure a safe working environment for all people involved in project implementation.
• 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.

Quality, Accountability and Compliance:

• Provide Field Leadership in the roll-out and implementation of Community Accountability Response Mechanism according to established Standard Operating Procedures.
• Promote and encourage openness to welcoming feedback and complaints from beneficiaries and communities and learning from staff.
• Ensure that those cases of violation of ethics such as fraud, corruption, and breach of code of conduct are reported, documented and dealt with according to Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures for all program activities are developed and adopted, strictly followed in the Dikwa
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, resilience approach and capacity building into all activities as appropriate
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources and timely, accurate and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures

Operations Management:

• With the support of the Senior Field Manager and Operations Team lead, ensure operation systems (procurement, transport, storage, communications, estate/buildings management, asset management etc) are in accordance with Mercy Corps systems and policies
• Ensure adequate operational systems are in place to provide adequate support to the field team.
• In conjunction with the Senior HR Officer and HR staff, ensure local recruitment is consistent with Mercy Corps HR recruitment policies, the legal context and local practice And that HR policies and procedures are understood by the project team and implemented.
• Provide leadership to the Field team, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities, encouraging effective teamwork and inclusiveness, and building a team spirit through regular meetings.
• Oversee the administrative functions for the project team, line managing staff where appointed.

Security Management:

• Responsible for security management for the Field team, including providing inputs to the location-specific Security Plan, ensuring staff are fully briefed/trained on the agreed security measures appropriate to the area, staff understand individual and collective responsibilities for safety and security and ensuring incidents are reported, critical learning is recorded and corrective actions are taken.

External Representation:

• Develop and maintain good lines of communication and strong relationships with local authorities, partner agencies and the local community leaders in the area of intervention.
• Represent Mercy Corps to local authorities (whether formal governmental or informal Authorities), securing the necessary appointments for visitors and local authority approvals and attendance to Mercy Corps functions.
• Represent Mercy Corps to other NGOs, and visitors, ensuring coordination and constructive working relations and attendance at relevant inter-agency coordination meetings as delegated by the Senior Field manager/Humanitarian sustainable Solution Director.

Qualification

• Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree qualification.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will provide effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team in Dikwa.
• S/he 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position is based in Dikwa, Borno State, Nigeria and it requires frequent travel to deep field locations in and around Dikwa

Security:

• Security in the field locations requires additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the northeast is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity and water is available but might be erratic.
• Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in 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 locations.

Application Closing Date
22nd February, 2022.