Organization: Mercy Corps
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 30 Sep 2015
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the Middle East in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development challenges of the region. While the Syria response is a significant aspect of Mercy Corps programming, Middle East program implementation also focuses on the Yemen crisis, the unique challenges of West Bank/Gaza, the unfolding conflict in Iraq and entrepreneurship in Egypt. Furthermore, Afghanistan and Pakistan programming is also being absorbed into the larger Middle East-South Asia regional program.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Program Officer (APO) provides administrative support to the Senior Program Officer (SPO), Program Officer (PO), Regional Program Director (RPD), and the field teams for the growth and implementation of high-quality and impactful programming in the Middle East-South Asia region. S/he plays a key role in managing information and data that comes in from the country teams to facilitate use and access of it for other HQ departments and retention of institutional knowledge. The APO effectively supports the SPO/PO to provide the secondary check and support the field (ultimate point of responsibility) in adhering to internal and external policies and regulations and is responsible for administrative duties for the region.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Grant Administration:
- Support the SPO with administrative tasks such as maintaining required documentation, as per the Program File, and knowledge management of the grant, copy-edit support of reports, etc.
Proposal Coordination:
- Provide administrative support for proposal development such as drafting Past Performance Reports/capacity statements/or other required documents, copy-editing, and final compilation for submission.
Internal Communications:
- Serve as the primary point for internal communications, facilitate use of Mercy Corps web-based information systems to draft and update program material (e.g. country fact sheets, country pages on web, dollar handles, etc).
Knowledge Management:
- Maintain up to date country and grant information in Mercy Corps" online knowledge management tools, e.g., GAIT, DL, HUB.
Recruitment Support & Deployment:
- Ensure necessary documentation has been submitted to relevant people, follow up with teams when field hasn"t received a response; support new hires/consultants/interns/etc.
Administration:
- Proactively lead logistical support for field and headquarters teams.
Other:
- May be required to travel to the field to support any of the above.
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: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Officer
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other HQ Program units and other departments, including Resource Development, Finance, Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness, Legal, Policy and Advocacy, Mercy Corps Counterparts at MC HQ offices in Europe; MC donors and partners.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S in International Development or related field highly preferred.
- Two years of demonstrated experience in providing administrative/coordination support.
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with colleagues from various backgrounds and cultures.
- Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Prior NGO or international development experience preferred.
- Preference given to candidates with prior work experience in the Middle East and/or South Asia.
- Knowledge of relevant technical sectors (emergency relief, economic development, agriculture, water, health, nutrition, or hygiene) preferred.
- Language proficiency in language(s) relevant to programming locations beneficial.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The Assistant Program Officer must be a detail-oriented multi-tasker who is able to communicate clearly and work under pressure. S/he must demonstrate patience, flexibility, and taking initiative to solve problems. Vital skills include communication (both written and verbal), as well as building and maintaining effective internal and external relationships. S/he must demonstrate the ability to understand and follow agency procedures, meet deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a complex distanced-based, multi-cultural team. An exposure to and interest in international development issues is important, and an understanding of the complex challenges faced by program teams operating in overseas environments is critical.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The position is based in Portland, OR and may be requested to travel – sometimes on short notice- to areas with limited access to medical facilities and amenities.
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.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=bWJhcnRvbG9uaS4yNTczMi4zODMwQG1lcmN5Y29ycHMuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29t
EmoticonEmoticon