Junior Program Officer

Job description

Promoting Reconciliation in Crisis-Affected Areas of Iraq Project is a 20-month program funded by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor that continues to build upon the foundation developed from previous Mercy Corps conflict mitigation programs. The overall goal of the program is to reduce violence and improve social cohesion in crisis-affected communities through conflict management and reconciliation efforts at the community and provincial levels in Diyala, Kirkuk, Nineveh and Salah al Din governorates. Mercy Corps and our partner, the Iraqi Center for Conflict Management and Negotiation Skills, (the Center) will utilize an integrated approach by providing the provincial government with the tools, systems and support structures necessary to de-escalate or resolve conflicts, and mobilize resources to meet the diverse needs of host and IDP communities. The project will reduce conflict and facilitate reconciliation between communities through a two-fold approach: a) utilizing dialogue to help people express their grievances and develop an understanding of the other’s perspective and interests; and b) implementing concrete projects so that people see the benefits of cooperation, and become committed to the reconciliation process. By building the advocacy skills of communities and with the use of the Center’s relationships with decision-makers, the project will ensure policies that serve the crisis-affected and vulnerable

Jr. Program officer will be responsible for supporting the Program Officer and Sr. Program Manager in the implementation of Mercy Corps’ Promoting Reconciliation Program in Nineveh and Kirkuk (based in Kirkuk) and will assist any further operational / programmatic activities related to Mercy Corps Mosel response. The Jr. Program officer will report to the Program officer of Nineveh and Kirkuk.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Jr. Program officer supports strategic, impactful, high-quality implementation of the program. S/he supports the Program Officer in all aspects of the day to day management of the program team and activities, including oversight and monitoring of the program activities. He/she works closely with Program Officer, as well as the various Mercy Corps units involved in the program activities to ensure collaboration, clarity of tasks, documentation and reporting, and the tracking of deadlines.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Support the Program Officer in daily project implementation and administrative tasks, especially training, monitoring, logistics and procurement, attending and organizing events.
• Work closely day to day with the Field Officers.
• Work with the Program Officer to maintain good working relationships with stakeholders
• Conduct monitoring and data collection as directed by the Program Manager, assisting with specific surveys or assessments as needed
• Contribute to effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the program staff.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Contribute to providing the Program Officer and Program Manager with up-to-date information on the affected and targeted community and coordinates beneficiary lists and numbers with different stakeholders.
• Adhere to all MC area of operations and transport/ logistics information related to programming.
• Work with the Program Officer and Manager to ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Assist the team of Mosel Response in any operational / programmatic activities including conducting surveys, coordination, database, reporting and any other duties.

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.

Knowledge and experience

• BA/S required
• 1- 2 years of field-based experience in international relief and development; demonstrated knowledge of relevant sectorial and/or operational areas
• 1- 2 years of experience managing the development, implementation, administration and compliance of grants;
• Experience with managing logistics and procurement
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Proficiency in English and Arabic required and Kurdish preferred.

Succes factors:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.
• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details.
• Conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment.
• Display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. She/he will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation the program
• Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving, and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential

The most successful Mercy Corps staff member has a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and makes effective communication a priority in all situations. Flexibility about work assignments and processes is necessary in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, coupled with the ability to respond to many new and unpredictable challenges in a demanding program.

Important information:

You should mentioned Title position in subject of Email,   Submission should include a copy of Iraqi national ID card and education certificates .