Program Coordinator at Mercy Corps

The Position

The Program Coordinator will provide technical oversight and implementation of the program, working closely with the Program Officer throughout the two conflict systems along the borders of Samburu County. S/he will support representation of Mercy Corps and coordinating to ensure the program is implemented effectively and efficiently. The Program Coordinator will be responsible for tracking analyzing and reporting program results. S/he will coordinate closely with other Mercy Corps Programs, to maximize impact, efficiency, and learning. The Program Coordinator will work closely with program local partners in delivery of the program and capacity building.

Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

1. Support the program manager in management of the SCALE program.
2. Work with the relevant stakeholders to regularly monitor program operating context and develop a comprehensive strategy for conflict prevention, peacebuilding and crisis preparedness to integrate agency best practices and building off the existing portfolio of programs in the country.
3. Develop and implement capacity building plan for the implementing CSOs partners.
4. Maintain implementation momentum by consolidating strategies and plans.
5. Recognize opportunities for innovative actions and synergies with other initiatives.
6. Support with planning, conducting and tracking partners’ activities – attending events in the targeted locations.
7. Work with the Program Manager and downstream partners to develop well-written, organized concept notes and reports that are in line with program outcomes and outputs
8. Provide updates and analysis of key developments in targeted conflict systems / locations.
9. Identify needs and opportunities and provide relevant information to facilitate the program team’s ability to develop and adapt activity ideas.
10. Under the direction of the Program Manager, develop and maintain relationships with organizations/ actors in key target sectors (e.g. faith organizations, youth groups, women’s organizations, CBOs/local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), local government officials, etc.)

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

1. Work closely with Finance and Sub grant team to ensure compliance, due diligence and accountability for the delivery of high-quality programming among the program partners 
2. Work with the Program Manager to provide technical oversight to the program team and local partners.
3. Review / design capacity building plans to ensure CSOs capacity to address land conflicts in Samburu County is enhanced.
4. Facilitate dialogue and learning among CSO partners, community representatives and County government and National government officials from the target areas.
5. Map relevant institutions, businesses, and other parties and their interests in perpetuating or stemming conflict.
6. Ensure program implementation is on time, target, on scope and budget.
7. Take part in participatory research and learning activities.
8. Meet regularly with the program team to evaluate project progress,
9. Promote learning and documenting program lessons and practices and sharing with program partners and stakeholders.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

1. Lead the establishment of Community Framework of Corporations (CFC) and strengthen Peace and Natural Resource Management committees, CSOs, local communities and the county government to devise a mechanism for sustaining program impacts. 
2. Participate, where relevant, in external representation of SCALE program with various stakeholders including donors, other INGOs, County Government, Regional Economic Blocs and National government.
3. Support the Program manager to identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders
4. Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets are met by county government, local leaders, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders.
5. Maintain productive working relationships and ensure close coordination and sharing of information with relevant partners and other program stakeholders.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

1. Supervise and provide support in the development of team members’ professional skills and conduct staff reviews as appropriate
2. Work closely with the Program Manager and P&C team to recruit, orient and lead team members as needed.

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

1. Where applicable take part in drafting and/or review consultancy scope of work, support in managing aspects of consultancy technical deliverables, efficacy and contract budget.
2. Monitor program spending and partners budget to ensure activities are implemented within the cost, time and in compliance with donor regulations and Mercy corps policies.
3. Support partners develop activities mini budgets for effective tracking of expenditures as needed.

SECURITY

1. Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
2. Ensure adherence with Mercy Corps Kenya security plan for Samburu County.
3. Proactively ensure duty of care and that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
4. Supervisory Responsibility

Program Officer

Accountability

1. Reports Directly To: SCALE Program Manager
2. Works Directly With: Country Director, Director of Programs, Program Manager, program and support teams, partner organizations, local CSOs and program implementing partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

1. Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, 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

1. Bachelor’s degree in Conflict Mitigation, Social Sciences, International Relations or other relevant field preferred.
2. Minimum 5 years’ relevant professional experience implementing land conflict management and peacebuilding programs, preferably in insecure or transitional environments.
3. Knowledge of people-to-people peacebuilding programs and ‘Do No Harm’ principles.
4. Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
5. Experience using context and conflict analysis tools to identify demand driven activities.
6. Strong experience in facilitating Community Frameworks of Cooperation (CFC) / Resource sharing agreements (RSAs) and intergovernmental relations is a MUST.
7. Experience building capacity of local organizations.
8. Familiarity and experience with European Commission regulations preferred.
9. Demonstrated experience with new program development and design including leading the inception/start-up efforts.
10. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with communities, multicultural set ups, civil society, local government representatives and other stakeholders.
11. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
12. Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.
13. Thorough understanding of program operating context is preferred.

Success Factors

1. A successful Program Coordinator will demonstrate the capacity to support a multi-dimensional effort in a complex, fluid and fast paced environment. S/he must exhibit self-drive and be able to work with very minimal supervision. The Program Coordinator will employ excellent judgment, strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, and be committed to the organization’s values and mission. S/he will take initiative, calculate risks and benefits of various courses of action, lead others to achieve to the highest level possible, and demonstrate solid decision–making while working in concert with diverse partners.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

1. The position is based in Maralal (Samburu, Kenya) and it requires up to (50%) travel to Samburu North, Samburu Central, Turkana East (Turkana County, Kenya), Baringo/Tiaty East (Amaya) and Laikipia North where the program covers.

Ongoing Learning

1. 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

1. 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.
2. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is 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

1. 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 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 on the basis of 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

1. 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. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.