Job Details

Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department

Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 and has built a robust and diverse portfolio working to enable Kenyans affected by poverty, climate change, resource scarcity and conflict to be healthy, productive and to drive peace and development of their communities. To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, innovate urban youth employment opportunities, respond to climate-related shocks, address the root causes of conflict, and build the resilience of vulnerable populations - in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized communities.

Mercy Corps is seeking County Coordinators for our Resilient Approaches in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems (RANGE) program.  RANGE seeks to strengthen the resilience of communities in the Arid- and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of northern Kenya through natural resource management, livestock market engagement, governance, advocacy and adaptive learning. The program will contribute to sustainable economic and social development in a well-managed landscape. The County Coordinator will have significant responsibility for management of program implementation in their particular county of operation.

General Position Summary

The RANGE County Coordinator, working under the supervision of the RANGE Program Director, are responsible for the overall county-level planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of program activities. County Coordinator will ensure all project initiatives are implemented to achieve maximum impact as per project objectives while remaining on schedule and budget. The County Coordinator directly manages the county-level staff and closely coordinates with staff from other RANGE partners and stakeholders on planning, implementation and layering of activities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Provide overall managerial and technical leadership for RANGE activities at the county level, in partnership with partners and key stakeholders.

• In conjunction with the Program Technical lead, develop county specific work plans and budgets while ensuring teams implement activities on time, within the approved budget, and project deliverables achieve desired impact.

• Lead effective coordination, collaboration and integration among all technical, support and project units, including consortium partners, Mercy corps programmes and other stakeholders within the county

• Develop and manage the market systems development strategy, actors’ partnership agreements and implement targeted sector systems transformation interventions

• Facilitate and coordinate all implementing partners delivery activities and programme visibility plans in the respective counties

• Attend all quarterly project meetings as well as facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGOs, private sector and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.

• Provide timely updates to the RANGE Program Director and other stakeholders on progress and issues, identifying risks and proposing solutions for action and early resolution.

• Develop program risk matrix and update the same on an ad hoc and quarterly basis.

• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

• Ensure integration of all identified cross-cutting issues into project activities.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT

• Act as the primary liaison with county and national government officials at the county level including representation and engagement

• Identify county and national government departments relevant to RANGE and outline areas of synergies and collaboration.

• Conduct periodic presentations of project progress, challenges and lessons learned to county government department, assembly and partners.

• Organize periodic joint field visits with relevant government departments.

• Facilitate and ensure the participation of relevant county and national government departments in the implementation of the project.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Support in the structuring of team roles and responsibilities in the county of operation for the delivery of cohesive program interventions, oversee team members and provide continuous technical support, capacity building, and quality assurance.

• Provide team members and implementing partners with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

• Regularly coordinate with program staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.

• 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.

• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION 

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events at the county-level, in close coordination with the RANGE and Mercy Corps leadership

• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

OPERATIONS MANGAGEMENT

• Oversee the smooth flow of routine program support functions (e.g., finance, administration, logistics) in relation to RANGE and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.

• Ensure that any procurement is completed, documented, and delivered to end-user in a timely manner, ensuring that items procured meet the specifications of the end-user while adhering to donor and Mercy Corps procurement guidelines.

• Oversee database and paper file management for program files in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.

SECURITY MANAGEMENT

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.

• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E) AND REPORTING

• Work closely with the program MEL team members to ensure that effective M&E systems and processes are embedded within the county-level program implementation unit and that data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform ongoing adaptation of program strategies and delivery approaches.

• Ensure learning is blended back into program implementation, creating a cycle of adaptation and program improvement

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 AND PARTNERS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and partners 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 at all times and in all in-country venues.

SAFEGUARDING

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Program Officers / Program Assistants in target counties

Accountability

Reports Directly To: RANGE Program Director, Technical advisor

Works Directly with: Country Director, Director of Program, Operations Director, Finance Director, Program Managers, PAQ team, consortium partners, local implementing partners, donor stakeholders

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields, such as natural resources/rangelands management, livestock production, agricultural economics, veterinary medicine, etc. Master’s degree qualification is preferred

• Demonstrated experience leading interventions in these fields above, including utilizing market system development approaches

• Specific experience in a) Livestock b) Natural Resource Management and/or c) Governance particularly beneficial

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in multi-sectoral programs, managing teams, strategic planning and implementing programs.

• Strong managerial skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management, coordination and decision-making.

• Experience working within (and leading teams in) large, complex programs required

• Sound understanding of financial, procurement, administration, and logistics management systems, including remote management.

• Experience coordinating multiple activities, developing synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration.

• Demonstrated experience in team building and team coordination for achieving program goals.

• Strong commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.

• Experience working with host governments at the sub-national level, INGOs and national NGOs

• Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented; and possessing an ability to anticipate program and operational needs.

• Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment and to a diverse group of national and international staff.

• Understanding of adaptive management and participatory methodologies for project design, implementation, and evaluation.

• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.

• Persuasive written and oral communication in English and Swahili required, competency in a relevant local language beneficial.

• Experience within the Arid and Semi-Arid lands required

Success Factors

The successful County Coordinator will have a strong understanding of project approaches and represent the project professionally at all times. S/he will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders. A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention with a commitment to working closely and collaboratively with the County Government structures and consortium partners. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Marsabit and requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.  Housing for this role is individual housing, and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a good standard.

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

Team Engagement and Effectiveness 

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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 prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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 to 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. MC does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.