Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian and development Non-Governmental Organization which has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of about 200 people. Mercy Corps’ country office is located in Goma with field offices in Mweso (North Kivu) and Bukavu (South Kivu).
Mercy Corps activities in DRC focus on two areas of intervention: a) the development of service delivery in urban centers (access to potable water) and b) the support to food security and economic development in rural areas (support to agricultural production and market integration). Mindful that a lasting and positive transformation of the living conditions in the communities requires greater social justice, Mercy Corps is committed to strengthening local governance and act for a better recognition of the role of women and youth in its hosting communities.
While affirming its determination to provide entrepreneurial and innovative solutions to development challenges, Mercy Corps remains a recognized agency in emergency humanitarian assistance to communities affected by armed conflict.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Mercy Corps is currently implementing in selected Health Areas of Miti Murhesa, Katana and Kalehe Health Zones (Kabare and Kalehe territories – province of South Kivu) a Development Food Assistance Program (DFAP) funded through the USAID office of Food for Peace.
The program “USAID-South Kivu Food Security Project” covers a 5-years period (October 2016-September 2021); it is implemented by Mercy Corps in consortium with the NGOs World Vision and Harvest Plus. Two local organizations are associated to the initiative: the association APC and the Evangelical University in Africa. The program aims to ensure that vulnerable households and communities in the targeted areas improve their food and nutrition security and economic well-being.
This goal will be accomplished through strategic objectives (Purposes) primarily targeting women and youth, and focusing on agricultural livelihoods and market integration (P1), maternal/child Health and Nutrition-MCHN (P2), and effective Governance (P3). The program will reach 180,000 participants.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Grant Officer will fill a number of program developments, coordination and management roles to cover the FSP program ensuring adequate systems are in place to allow the team to successfully implement activities on scope and on time.
S/he will ensure high quality and timely performance reports to Mercy Corps and USAID-FFP for the SK-FSP including, but not limited to, bi-weekly program updates, quarterly and annual program reports (ARR) and resources requests (PREP). The Grant Officer will be responsible for collating and updating the program dashboard that will include program management compliance status (including program file documentation, program manager certification, program documentation, program performance and financials). The Grant Officer will also assist with communications: s/he will assist in extending M&E and reporting activities including: responding to information requests, writing success stories, and monitoring and reporting on program impact. S/he will coordinate with donors, partners and other NGOs as required by the Chief of Party and will attend key coordination and advocacy meetings and prepare internal reports on those meetings.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Implementation support
- During Year 1 of the program, play a key leadership role for the implementation of the STRESS process; develop TORs for field assessments as required, provide support for preparation of the STRESS reports (desk review, assessment reports), ensure translation into English of key documents, day to day coordination of the process with HQ and USAID
- Contribute to the design and drafting of communications material (annual report, social media, speeches, editorials, press releases, website content, newsletters, drafting success stories…)
- Work closely and in coordination with Mercy Corps offices in USA, establishing a strong working relationship with HQ program officers to support the program implementation
- Act as day-to-day representative of Mercy Corps to organizations as requested by the COP, including attending key internal and external meetings, as needed
- Provide support as needed to the development of project proposals to secure additional resources for the FSP program
- Other duties as assigned
Program Quality Monitoring
- Provide technical and management support for the reporting requirements to the program (quarterly reports, Annual Results Report – ARR and Annual Resources Requests – PREP)
- Prepare regular schedules of all official donor reports and inform the relevant SK-FSP partners about deadlines
- Review and coordinate all official donor reports to USAID or Mercy Corps-DRC after drafting by program staff
- Draft program updates for donor and other key stakeholders as applicable
- Support SK-FSP M&E Manager in M&E and reporting duties including, but not limited to, responding to information requests, supporting the fulfillment of donor M&E requirements, monitoring and reporting on SK-FSP program impact
- Build the capacity of the program staff in the area of reporting to enable them to develop high quality reports and other documents
- Work with program staff to integrate quality monitoring processes based on protocols into program implementation, including internal and external reviews of program quality.
- Ensure that program information shared with stakeholders is presented in languages, formats and media that are appropriate for, accessible to, and can be understood by the target population
Grant management support
- Assist the CoP in managing key administrative and operational components of the SK-FSP project
- Ensure that the SK-FSP program has sufficient systems in place to meet program management standards and comply with donor regulations and good practice, including a dashboard for reporting to senior managers/executives and delivery managers.
- Coordinate with the team to ensure that the SK-FSP Program File is kept up to date and meets minimum program management standards.
- Support development and implementation of program policies, protocols and systems.
- Facilitate the elaboration of inclusive program selection criteria that takes into consideration the needs of different vulnerable groups, and monitors beneficiary selection processes to ensure that these criteria are followed.
Team Management Support (required for roles that require management)
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Assist with the supervision, hiring and orientation of new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
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 towards 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 projects.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: SK-FSP Chief of Party
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Managers (M&E Agriculture, Governance, Nutrition, SBCC), Gender/Youth Advisor, Finance and OPS Directors
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in one of the following: International relations, Political Sciences, Governance, International Development or other related field
- 2-3 years of experience with USAID or EU funded program, including grant management, and proposal development
- Field experience in conflict and development environments. Exposure to gender, protection, and conflict mitigation
- Ability to work in a sometimes solitary environment with moderate to high levels of insecurity and significant restrictions on personal movement
- Fluent English and advanced/fluent French are required
- Ability to deliver high quality reports within short deadlines
- Ability to multi-task and juggle several tasks and relationships at one time
- Excellent communication skills, experience in representing an organization
- Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required
- Experience designing and implementing programs related to governance, participation, and accountability particularly in Africa
- Previous experience working with international organizations required and history with DFID-funded initiatives desirable
- Proven ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams and with technical and administrative staff and consultants
SUCCESS FACTORS:
A successful candidate will have an ability to work independently, take initiative in tasks and self-learning, and be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships. S/he will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with demonstrated sensitivity to the people and issues in the region. S/he will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, relationship and cross-cultural communication skills especially in high stress environments are essential for success. S/he will be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps; have the ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations with patience, dynamism, tenacity and a good sense of humor.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is an unaccompanied position. Shared accommodation will be provided in Bukavu according to Mercy Corps DRC housing policy.
Bukavu is a provincial capital of over 800,000 inhabitants. Living in Bukavu is comfortable, although water and electricity can be unstable. Outside Bukavu, travel can be dangerous and unpredictable due to armed forces and rebel activity.
While conditions in the country are improving, and security is quite stable in Bukavu, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity. Mercy Corps’ sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with evacuation options for serious illnesses. There’s reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
