Graduate Field Assistant at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a global, non-governmental organization, which exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps works in the areas of emergency relief, sustainable economic development and civil society. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 94 nations. Mercy Corps Nigeria is collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, the UK Department for International Development and USAID partners implementing economic development programs throughout the country, and opened its Nigeria Field Office in December 2012.

We are seeking to engage interested and qualified candidate for the position of:

Job Title: Field Assistant

Location: Adamawa
Reports Directly to: Program Officers and Program Coordinator
Works Directly with: Finance, Program and Operation Teams.

Program/Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on women’s empowerment, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the north east of Nigeria and causing displacement of over a million individual, Mercy Corps is addressing the rising humanitarian needs among displaced households and vulnerable host communities through program interventions in the Northeast. With current funding from OFDA, FFP, CERF and ECHO and ongoing opportunities from other donors, all Mercy Corps interventions in the Northeast are implemented with plans for scale-up.

The current funding opportunity’s goal in Gombe is to support economic opportunities, food security and protection among conflict-affected populations, and to strengthen the capacity of humanitarian agencies and the quality of information gathering in Nigeria. The current funding opportunity’s goal in Adamawa is to provide a package of relief interventions designed to help conflict affected communities in central Adamawa meet their basic needs in livelihoods restoration, water and sanitation and protection. Expansion into other affected states is also planned for the humanitarian response team.

General Position Summary

• The program assistant will assist the program teams in the day to day implementation of all program activities in the areas of intervention.

Essential Job Functions

• Assist program officers to ensure program progress according to the developed schedule and work plan.
• Assist in the coordination in target geographical areas.
• Support in the process of beneficiary registration, community mobilization and sensitization.
• Assist in promoting community participation and inclusion so as to encourage community ownership over activities implemented.
• Ensure equal representation of various community groups in the implementation of activities.
• Assist in the facilitation of community meetings, focus group discussion and other as required by the program.
• Keep program officers and management updated with regards to security situation in the project implementation area.
• Provide weekly field reports, capturing activities progress, lessons learned as well as general situation and community updates and needs.
• Document lessons learned and success stories on the project.
• Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manuals;
• 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 in country of operation;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Experience

• 1-2 years of working experience. Previous experience in community work is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain good relation with the local communities and project beneficiaries.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing and reporting
• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field or equivalent experience is highly recommended
• Ability to work under pressure
• 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 be an effective communicator, with dedication towards community work, commitment to work long hours in the field conditions with limited access to resources.
• S/He will be highly motivated, with initiative and capable to work without direct supervision.
• S/he will be willing to conduct field travels and work in ethnically and culturally diversified and fast growing team.

Application Closing Date
7th September, 2015.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their CV's and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected]