PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war over five years ago, Mercy Corps has worked to address the urgent needs of nearly 4 million people both inside Syria and in neighboring countries. The program will be implemented through a local team and/or local and regional partners and will be managed remotely from the Amman office, Jordan.
This position is dependent on funding.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Officer’s role, under the supervision of the Program Coordinator, is to support with the management of program activities, which comprises the implementation of cash transfer programming and monitoring of sub-grants to local partner organizations providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected communities. The Program Officer will be responsible for assisting with the planning an implementation of cash transfer programming activities, monitoring, capacity development, analysis and reporting. The Program Officer will have strong engagement with the field team, including supporting with the coordination of daily tasks. The position holder will work closely with partners to ensure smooth, efficient and effective implementation of their livelihood and non-food items projects, take a lead with partner narrative reporting and will coordinate meetings and capacity development activities. The position holder will work closely with the Program Coordinator and Programs Manager, who will seek to expand the skills of the Program Officer and delegate more responsibility during the duration of the contract.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Support – cash transfer programming
- Ensure understanding of implementation and reporting by project field officers and support with coordination where requested.
- Support with and review the household vulnerability assessments and support with the section of beneficiaries.
- Double check beneficiaries and distribution lists being received from field and ensure data and program quality.
- Remote monitoring of activities and ensure that the activities are being implemented within the proposed timeframes and the objectives are being met.
- Liaison with M&E Coordinator in setting up M&E systems according to the program objectives.
- Support with financial reconciliation against programmatic activities and payment administration related tasks.
- Monitor the progress of cash interventions and provide feedback and suggest implementation changes when relevant.
- Understand, uphold and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (for activities) as may be necessary.
- Establish an effective filing system and keep track of data received.
- Make sure that all supporting documentation is prepared and filed according to Mercy Corps procedures.
Program Support – partner sub-grants
- Closely follow the implementation of partner activities from the design phase through to implementation and close out.
- Support with the review of partner (sub-grantee) narrative reports to ensure implementation is on track, and collaborate closely with Finance Officer and M&E Coordinator to track alignment of partners’ activities with expenditures.
- Ensure that partner project targets are met according to the implementation workplan.
- Coordinate internally with finance, compliance, humanitarian access and program development teams, ensuring a consistent approach to project design, implementation and close out.
- Work closely with the M&E Coordinator to aggregate data provided by partners.
- Maintain well-organized and consistent filing system and tracking system for all project documentation and information.
- Organize and participate in the facilitation of meetings/workshops/trainings to help increase the capacity of local staff and implementing partners in planning and implementation of programs.
- Pay close attention to issues, trends or concerns that arise from partner reports, updates and meetings and alert the Program Coordinator.
Coordination and Representation
- Help with the implementation of a Community Accountability and Response Mechanism appropriate for a cash transfer program.
- Ensure a good understanding of the Syrian conflict context and humanitarian need trends.
- As required by the supervisor, represent Mercy Corps at donor meetings, and government and sectoral coordination fora/meetings.
- Support with narrative reporting to the donor as may be required.
- Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities.
- 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 or put the team, assets and mission at risk.
- Participate in and support internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops.
- Assist in any other task or duty assigned by the supervisor.
Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ 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. Take initiative to find required trainings/on-line learning needed to improve his/her professional performance.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILTY
To be confirmed, potentially Field Officers.
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: South Syria Program Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: South Syria Programs Manager, Field Officers, Finance Officer, M&E Coordinator and Administrative Staff.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- University Degree or higher in relevant field.
- At least 2 years of experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on humanitarian assistance, relief or development work.
- Direct experience implementing humanitarian programming; experience with cash transfer programming a plus.
- Basic understanding of structures and processes of NGOs required.
- Experience with project design and delivery required and monitoring and evaluation and donor reporting preferred.
- Past experience engaging and working with local civil society organizations or community groups.
- Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with a broad range of stakeholders in different geographic locations; experience with remote management or monitoring is a plus.
- Familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
- Excellent oral and written English skills, as well as Arabic.
- Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, HAP is an asset.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Syrian conflict context is a plus.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively in humanitarian programming and engaging effectively and respectfully with team members. An interest in and commitment to growing and enhancing impactful programming is essential. S/he will have effective verbal and written communication, as well as multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization, skills. S/he will have demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines. S/he should have a willingness to learn and take initiative. An ability to creatively solve problems and juggle multiple priorities is also essential. Sensitivity to multi-cultural humanitarian and development work is critical. The Program Officer must be willing to travel to other Mercy Corps offices in the region (Beirut, Erbil, Gaziantep) if necessary.
