Location: Beirut, Lebanon or Amman, Jordan

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: (NA)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have a long-term impact.

Program (Department Summary)

Mercy Corps addresses a wide range of needs and gaps, from household-scale projects to community-level interventions, by implementing an integrated evidence-based program to alleviate suffering and reduce exposure to harm by preserving the community's food security and dignity through the implementation of livelihoods programs including Agriculture, Livestock and other livelihoods support projects, while facilitating early recovery and market development where possible, and thus contributing to an overall impact on lives saved, civilians protected, and communities strengthened. The overall goal is for conflict-affected individuals, households, communities, and local partners to have increased capacity to cope with conflict's shocks and effects, as well as to be less vulnerable to harm as a result of life-saving support.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The role of the Livelihoods Program Officers (LPO) is to assist in the management of a large multi-sectoral humanitarian program. Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager and Program Coordinator, the LPO will be responsible for assisting the food security and livelihood interventions carried out in the program areas by local and international partner organizations. Through frequent follow-ups with implementing partners, the position holder will work closely to ensure the program's successful implementation based on technical livelihood standards and quality. The position entails a wide range of project activities, such as assisting in the coordination of high-quality interventions, monitoring, and verifying activities, collating information gathered from partners, leading partner reporting, arranging training with partners, and mentoring and coaching specific partner staff members as needed. The LPO's relevant technical sectors will include but are not limited to food security, livelihoods, and non-food items. The position holder will work closely with both Program Coordinator and Program Manager, who will seek to expand the LPO's skills and delegate more responsibility during the contract's duration.

Responsibilities.

• Support in the overseeing of the Livelihoods projects startup and management.
• Ensure that the Livelihood projects are successfully implemented through proper follow-up, monitoring, and support.
• Ensure that the program targets and schedules are met. This includes being responsible for the quality of periodical reports/updates and the programmatic tracking system by ensuring that program records are kept up to date
• Closely support the program team in the implementation of partner activities from the design phase through to implementation and closeout
• Pay close attention to issues, trends, or concerns that arise from partner reports, updates, and meetings while keeping the Program Manager and Coordinator alerted of these updates on a regular basis and offering possible solutions
• Lead on the partners’ reporting follow-up and review including but not limited to following up and reviewing the semi-monthly, monthly, and final narrative reports in addition to their supporting documentation
• Support the Program Manager and Coordinator in issuing payments to partners and ensure the timely delivery of these payments
• Maintain a well-organized and consistent filing system and tracking system for all project documentation and information
• Support in maintaining a successful project implementation by ensuring that the program is implemented on time, within target and budget, and using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts
• Provide specific coaching and mentoring to local partners, maintaining a consistent approach with other team members
• Support, and lead when needed, on training and capacity building for partners.
• Organize and participate in the facilitation of meetings/workshops/training to help increase the capacity of local staff and implementing partners in the planning and implementation of livelihoods

projects

• Maintain a positive and professional working relationship with partners as their primary focal point. Be responsive to their needs and challenges and report to the Program Manager and Coordinator as necessary.
• Support in the setup of projects including contracting and kick-off meetings.
• Support in developing the livelihoods program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, and distribution process as well as livelihoods interventions and capacity building of partners
• Support in the Integration of community-based approaches, gender sensitivity, conflict sensitivity, and capacity building into all projects as appropriate
• Provide recommendations to the Program team on relevant projects and fundraising
• Ensure that all humanitarian core principles are applied in all the project life cycle phases
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiaries’ accountability standards.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations
• Coordinate internally with subawards, finance, compliance, security, HR, and humanitarian access teams, ensuring a consistent approach to project design, implementation, and close-out

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 projects.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work including with external stakeholders and direct reports if applicable
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps as detailed in the Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies including respecting the dignity and well-being of community participants and fellow staff members
• Holds themselves accountable for making appropriate decisions that impact community members and team members
• Takes responsibility for their personal and professional behavior 
• Encourages openness, transparency, and communication in their team; encourages team members to make any reports if they have any concerns using internal reporting mechanisms (i.e., Integrity Hotline, HR, etc.)
• Demonstrates a high level of integrity and treats others with respect

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly to the Program Coordinator

Works Directly with Programs, Finance, MEAL, Security, and Compliance departments

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• University Degree or Higher in a field relating to humanitarian aid and development, food security, and/or livelihoods.
• 3-5 years of experience working in a Non-Governmental Organization, ideally focused on Livelihoods and development programs.
• Desired demonstrated expertise in the implementation of food security, livelihoods, and other relevant projects.
• Demonstrated experience in emergency response programming in insecure environments is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in working with implementing partners. Remote Partnership Management is an asset.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs, and Community Based Organizations.
• Good organizational and project management and coordination skills.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
• Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation, evaluation, and closeout.
• Working understanding of procurement, administration, and finance systems.
• Demonstrating experience with MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team, independently, and under pressure.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Middle East context and understand project needs.
• Commitment to a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully in livelihood programming with NGOs and CBO representatives and will have effective verbal and written communication as well as multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. S/he will have demonstrated attention to detail, the ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members. S/he should have excellent coordination skills, the ability to manage multiple deadlines, and show initiative to improve program implementation. Sensitivity to multicultural humanitarian and development work and the ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles are all critical. An ability to creatively solve problems, juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations are also essential.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

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 are 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 a 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 based on race, color, 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.

How to apply:

The recruiting process will be on rolling basis, it would be preferable to submit your C.V before 23rd of October, 2024. 

*If you are interested, kindly apply as soon as possible, since resumes will be reviewed on rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted before the submission deadline.*

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.