Mercy Corps Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager (BRACED) Job in Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. 

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individual to take up the following position.

Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager – BRACED
 

 

Program / Department Summary: The Mercy Corps Building Resilience in Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) is a flagship programme of the United Kingdom (UK) Department for International Development (DFID) under the International Climate Fund (ICF). 

BRACED is a global initiative that aims to benefit up to 5 million vulnerable people, especially women and children, in developing countries by helping them be more resilient in the face of climate extremes and disasters. DFID has funded BRACED programs around the world including Africa and Asia. 

Mercy Corps has received funding for implementation BRACED consortium in Kenya and Uganda which will enhance resilience to climate extremes in northern Kenya and Northern Uganda through a community-led and systems-driven programme.
 

General Position Summary: The Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager will work directly with Programme Director and field-based Programme Managers to support oversight of accountability and adherence to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations, and programme milestones and deliverables. 

He/she will report to and work with the Programme Director and engage in programme representation to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders and convert programme information into actionable management recommendations and guidance.

Essential Job Functions:
 

1. Programme Implementation:

• Assist in the overall programme management of BRACED programme activities in both Kenya and Uganda.


• Provide technical programme support and expertise in the areas of governance, natural resources management or market systems development.


• Manage programme documentation and databases to ensure institutional memory and programme management minimum standards.


• Work with BRACED Consortium Members to oversee and manage partner strategic planning, work plans, activities, and deliverables, ensuring that programme performance is on track and meeting targets on time, within budget and with high-quality programming.


• Support operations around the BRACED learning agenda within each of the programme locations (Kenya and Uganda), and strategies for cross-country learning.


• As deputy to the Programme Director, the Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager will also be tasked with a shared representational role at resilience events and fora in the region and information management as it relates to resilience within Kenya and Uganda.

2. Learning and Reporting:

• Conduct Quarterly Reviews with BRACED Mercy Corps field teams and partners to capture all progress and learning every quarter, ensuring timely submission of weekly, quarterly and annual reports.


• Manage programme monitoring and evaluation with oversight of field-based M&E Officers.


• Support Programme Managers in the achievement of programme targets and objectives and support efforts towards the design effective M&E systems and operations.


• Assist with oversight of the BRACED communications strategy and lead in development of materials, presentations and other media in accordance with programme needs and the DFID/BRACED requirements.

3. Coordination and Representation:

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Programme Director.


• Attend key events, committee meetings, fora, seminars, etc. as they relate to East Africa resilience.


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

4. Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building:

• Commit and contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team and consortium members into relevant decision-making processes, strategic collective planning and shared learning.


• Oversee the BRACED Programme Assistant and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers.

5. Programme Support Operations:

• Ensure close communication across cross-country field teams and consortium members regarding programme activities and plans, challenges and obstacles to timely and quality implementation and programme learning.


• Coordinate with programme, finance, and administration staff for troubleshooting and problem solving to ensure adaptive management throughout the life of the programme.


• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct supervision of: Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, Programme Assistant
 

Accountability: 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.

Reports Directly To: Programme Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
 

Works Directly With: BRACED Programme Director, Kenya and Uganda Country Directors, BRACED Programme Managers in countries, consortium partners, and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps office in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Knowledge and Experience:

• MA, MSc or equivalent in governance, public administration, economic development, environmental policy or related field.


• Minimum five years of experience including three years in a management position, preferably at a regional/cross-country level.


• Previous experience with and strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and compliance issues


• Demonstrated strong writing and editing skills, and word processing are required.


• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.


• Experience contributing to donor-funded proposal processes including assessment, design, and writing


• Proven understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change adaptation strategies, public administration and resilience programming.


• Experience implementing activities in Kenya, especially northern Kenya/ ASALs – with a strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context. 


• Knowledge of and experience working in Karamoja preferred.


• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.


• Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.


• Security management experience in remote and insecure environments.

Success Factors:

• A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.


• Demonstrated writing abilities and ability to present information in a polished, final product.


• Must have a positive and flexible attitude.


• Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.


• Excellent analytical, presentation and information management skills.


• Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.


• Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.


• Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.


• Willingness and ability to travel to Wajir County and Karamoja frequently for work purposes with 40% time in the field (20% Karamoja/20% Wajir).

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org on or before Thursday, 31st December 2015 by 4.00pm. 

The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for. 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)

NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.