Mercy Corps Field Officer Job in Nandi County, 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 individuals to take up the following position:

Field Officer - Nandi County

Program / Department Summary: Mercy Corps is implementing the Rift Valley Yes Youth Can Program in Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Nakuru, Nandi, Elgeyo marakwet, Trans Nzoia and West Pokot Counties.  

In Central Province, the program covers Kiambu and Muranga Counties. The primary objective of Yes Youth Can is to Support the capabilities of youth and youth Organizations as agents of positive change in their communities to strengthen Kenya post-election recovery.  

Mercy Corps works toward this objective by  mobilizing and formation of youth Representative structures from the grassroots level to County, Civic education and Life skills trainings, Youth Employability assessments and entrepreneurship trainings, Gender assessments and building strong foundations for youth to contribute to a prosperous Society.

General Position Summary: The Field officer will have extensive experience in managing Youth empowerment Programs/Civic engagement. He/she will be locally-hired and based at the respective county. 

He/she will have responsibility for day-to-day field work in implementation of program activities, mobilization, formation and monitoring of village bunges trainings and youth empowerment events.

Essential Job Functions:

• To work closely with all the program staff in implementation of the program.
• To mobilize the youth in the community and contribute to the formation and monitoring of village bunges.
• To build the capacity of the village youth bunges/CBF in proposal writing, business plans, action plans and resource mapping
• To work closely with the CBF in designing and implementing the County work plans.
• To organize trainings, program review and field visits in conjunction with the CBF boards and bunge presidents. ,
• To collect program data accurately and forward the same to the office timely.
• To assist in the implementation of all program activities
• To prepare accurate and timely monitoring and field reports and other project documentation as required.
• Maintain proper project/Program files
• To network with the local administration and other stakeholders and the grassroots level
• To 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Capacity Building Specialist
• Works Directly With:  Program Manager, Youth Enterprise Specialist, Administration/ Logistics Officer, Communications Officer, Finance Officer

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 1 year experience working with NGOs/CBO’s in civic engagement, Youth Empowerment and economic development projects
• Degree in Community development, economic development or related field or diploma with over 3 years’ experience.
• Commitment to working with youth and 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 and Kiswahili and the local dialect.
• 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;

Success Factors:

• Must be a resident in the county where he is applying for.
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, take direction, assume leadership, and make rational decisions while working remotely from country leadership;
• Effective communication and team-building skills;
• High motivation for working in Youth empowerment and economic development with a focus on youth
• Initiative and adaptability
• Independent of any political groupings

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before July 18, 2014 at 4.00 p.m. a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org.

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject; the position and location they are applying for, e.g “Field Officer-Nandi County” 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. Please do not attach any certificates.

(ONLY Qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted)

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