Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Reporting to the Program Manager in the Kapenguria Field Office, this position is focused on community and adolescent girl engagement, including the identification, recruitment and retention of girl training participants; the establishment of partnerships with key community members (elders, religious leaders, government officials) and the execution of livelihood development activities.

He/she will be locally hired and based in the Kapenguria area. He/she will be responsible for day-to-day field work in implementation of activities, mobilization, formation and monitoring of girls’ livelihoods/education cohorts.

Roles for the Program Officer Job

• Work closely with all the program staff in implementation of the program;
• Engage community members (community representatives, teachers, religious leaders, government officials and gatekeepers) to form an Advisory Committee to support and inform program activities;
• Organize community events to sensitize communities on the GIRL program;
• Assist in the creation of technical curricula, basic education (numeracy & literacy) and financial literacy;
• Recruit and train mentors to deliver technical curricula to girls;
• Identify and recruit girls in the community to participate in livestock/producer groups;
• Identify and engage local animal health workers to provide training and technical assistance to livestock/producer groups;
• Monitor and track the success and failures of livestock/producer groups;
• Collect program data accurately and forward to the office in a timely manner;
• Support community mapping activities, market assessments and base-line/end-line evaluation activities;
• Prepare accurate and timely monitoring and field reports and other project documentation as required;
• Maintain proper program files;
• Represent the organization in meetings at the grass root level;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Perform any other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor or representatives.

Program Officer Job Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, livelihoods and education;
• Degree in Community Development, Economic Development or related field or diploma with over 3 years experience;
• Commitment to working with adolescent girls vulnerable groups in need, regardless of race, tribe, religion or gender;
• Understanding of working with local partners;
• Good problem solving, written and oral communication skills;
• Strong written and spoken English;
• Pokot language skills strongly recommended;
• Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a mixed team;
• Good knowledge of MS Office software such as Excel, Word, and Access;