Program Support Intern 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Support Intern

Job Code: PROGR002672
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Position Status: Internship(6 months)
Job Category: Programming

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps is implementing the Addressing Diverse and Acute Primary Threats (ADAPT II) to Human Security and Transitioning Households to Recovery from Vulnerability (THRIVE) in Northeastern Nigeria.
• The goal is to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of displaced, returnee and host households in Borno State which aligns with BHA’s overarching mission statement to “save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters”.
• ADAPT II & THRIVE will respond to critical humanitarian needs across Borno state, focusing on Food Security, Nutrition, Shelter, WASH, Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), Protection, Economic Recovery & Market Systems (ERMS) and Agriculture sectors.
• The ADAPT II program will cover all of Borno State depending on the humanitarian context while THRIVE will be implemented in Jere LGA.
• Under ADAPT II, sector by sector focus will be geographically specific where appropriate, with MPCA, Shelter and Settlements, and WASH interventions focused on newly displaced or returnee caseloads across Borno state – with an expected focus on Banki, Monguno, Damasak, Ngala, Bama, Damboa, Dikwa LGAs.

General Position Summary

• The Program Support Intern will be based in Abuja from where s/he will be primarily responsible for supporting the Program Director in ensuring the timely implementation of ADAPT II & THRIVE planned program activities.
• S/he will achieve this by constant facilitation of approval and financial review for all documents sent to Abuja for signing / endorsement by the relevant Senior Management Team members (e.g., Country Director, Director of Programs, Finance Director, etc.).

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Printing of all documents requiring approval and financial review (e.g., Purchase Requests, Activity Budgets, Purchase Orders, Task Orders, Contracts, and MoUs), getting them approved and reviewed on time, and scanning and sending them back to the ADAPT II & THRIVE teams in Maiduguri or the deep field offices.
• Work closely with the Strategic Support Manager and the Operations and Finance teams in Abuja to ensure that program documents’ approval and financial review process is completed as soon as possible.
• Report immediately to the concerned program Director any challenge that is delaying the approval and review of submitted documents.
• Prepare and maintain filing records of all approved and reviewed programs, finance, and operational documents according to MC procedures.
• Coordinate with the Programs and Operations teams in making all arrangements pertaining to ADAPT II & THRIVE meetings and trainings taking place in Abuja.
• Participate regularly in the ADAPT II & THRIVE teams’ biweekly virtual coordination meetings and develop the minutes of meetings.
• Assist the Senior Programs Support Officer in the drafting of monthly reports.
• Shadow some positions, e.g., Administrative Assistant, Procurement Assistant, Finance Assistant, etc., to gain insight into the roles, responsibilities and experiences of some team members and departments.
• 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.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field programs / projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None.

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Senior Programs Support Officer
• Works Directly With: All program teams, Operations, Finance.

Knowledge and Experience

• A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent in the Arts or Social Sciences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good experience in organizing events, meetings
• Good interpersonal skills (Ability to discuss and engage on issues)
• Demonstrated proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to accurately anticipate program needs.
• Experience working with an NGO would be an added advantage.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will combine curiosity and a strong willingness to learn in the shortest possible time which will enable the candidate to meet the expectations of this role. The candidate should be equipped with an additional “want-to-do” attitude.
• S/he will be an effective communicator, self-motivated with dedication towards deliverables and commitment to deliver with limited time and resources. S/he will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable of working with limited direct supervision.
• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, lots of energy, high emotional intelligence, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability 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.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position will be based in Abuja without plans for travel across the field locations in Borno State.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

• Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
• We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all.
• We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

• Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity.
• We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC.
• We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Application Closing Date
15th August, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Female candidates who are qualified are strongly encouraged to apply.