Capacity Development Officer (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps program addresses a large array of needs and gaps, across a number of technical sectors across the response region. Projects include emergency response for basic needs; livelihoods and protection projects; WASH projects. This department will be supporting local partners technical and institutional capacity.

General Position Summary

The Capacity Development Officer will support the development and management of Capacity Development program and activities within the region. Under the direct supervision of the Capacity Development Adviser (CDA), the Capacity Development Officer will be responsible for assisting mainly in assessing and identifying needs for partner capacity development, facilitating sessions, preparing plan, and following on the implementation, monitoring, evaluating and documentation of trainings and other capacity development activities. The Capacity Development Officer will work closely with the partner(s) and programs, finance and operations to ensure smooth, efficient and effective implementation of capacity development initiatives.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Capacity Development Support

• • Support in the roll out of capacity development tools and collection of capacity development information internally and externally.
  • Assist in relevant sessions and workshops with partners to identify strategic priorities in terms of partners’ organizational and technical capacity development.
  • Support in the conduction of prospective/current partner assessments on both technical and organizational levels.
  • With the guidance of the capacity development manager, support in the preparation and launching of the capacity development call for applications for partners. 
  • Support the overall development and implementation of partners’ capacity development plans as per Partnership Capacity Development Strategy
  • Coordinate the development of integrated capacity building plans for all partners in collaboration with program and support teams (Finance, Human Resources, and Operations) and ensure that these plans are implemented in a timely and effective manner.
  • Assists the capacity development manager in setting up the needed logistics for the organization of capacity development activities.
  • Support in the completion of the search, scoping and mapping process (LNGOs, CBOs) as requested and needed.
  • Facilitation (as needed) and note taking for workshops, meetings and sessions.
  • Provide day-to-day support and management of capacity strengthening activities with the relevant focal points.
  • Follow up with the capacity development grants; assist in drafting and reviewing monthly and narrative report.
  • Attend bi-weekly partner catch-up meetings, collect follow up reports while incorporating the main findings, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
  • Support in drafting internal and external reports for donors on capacity development plans and progress and feed in the lessons learned in the capacity development and the processes.
  • Support in assessing, monitoring, and documentation of partner capacity development process and activities.
  • Maintain physical and electronic (including online documentation) record of all capacity development resources and update it on regular basis.
  • Information management of capacity development department
  • Any other assistance needed to support the capacity development manager and team in the area of capacity development.
  • 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.
  • Assist in any other relevant task or duty assigned by the supervisor.

Program & Partnership Development Support

• • Responsible for keeping and updating the partner’s profile tracker with the support of the capacity development advisor.
  • Support Program and other departments’ implementation and evaluation of the capacity development activities.
  • Work closely with program teams to get their feedback and observations regarding existing partner’ capacities and identified gaps, needs, and opportunities.
  • Responsible for having a wide understanding of partner capacity on all levels in order to be able to input to the capacity development manager on partner capabilities, areas of weakness and suitability for programmatic, operational, and capacity development efforts.
  • Support in partners performance/projects evaluation and after-action reviews related to capacity development.
  • Support in drafting and finalization of partner agreements in line with Mercy Corps and partnership requirements.
  • Oversee Mercy Corps’ thematic, cross cutting and customized training conducted with the partners and support with the identification of external service providers when and as needed.
  • Facilitate and provide regular technical, operational and compliance capacity building and training for partners, drawing on Mercy Corps’ expertise. In close coordination with the program and MEAL departments, ensure that partners are being monitored for progress against deliverables and their capacity building plan, as well as against donor compliance and internal Mercy Corps’ procedures, and provide support as needed to develop monitoring tools tailored for the partners’ needs.

Representation and Coordination

• • As required by the supervisor, represent Mercy Corps at internal and external meetings.
  • Ensure proper cross-sectoral coordination in all capacity development related initiatives and activities.
  • Coordinate with Finance, Logistics, MEAL, and other sectors as needed,
  • Under supervision of the capacity development manager, develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies, humanitarian coordination groups including humanitarian and human rights organizations, local authorities and local partners.

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 toward 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.
• 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.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Capacity Development Manager

Works Directly With: All Mercy Corps department and staff as well as staff from partner(s) organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• • University Degree or Higher in field relating to humanitarian and development work, program management or’ a relatable field
  • 2-3 years of experience working in Non-Governmental Organization, ideally focused on Capacity Development, Partnerships and/or humanitarian relief. Ideally focused on managing complex programs and /or partnership contracts, implementation of projects through sub-grantees, developing capacity building plans. Strong understanding of structure and processes in NGOs. 
  • Demonstrated experience in emergency response programming in highly insecure environments.
  • Commitment to local capacity building and past experience of engaging and working with local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
  • Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs and Community Based Organizations.
  • Demonstrated expertise in implementation of Livelihoods and Protection is desired.
  • Experience in implementing humanitarian programs such as Child Protection, NFI distributions, WASH infrastructure projects, or food distributions are preferred, experience in capacity development is highly preferred.
  • Good organizational and project management skills.
  • Good facilitation skills are required.
  • Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
  • Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, HAP is an asset.
  • Working understanding of procurement, administration and finance systems.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
  • Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team and independently.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the Syrian conflict context and understands project needs.
  • Commitment to high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
  • Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential; Excellent written English is desired.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

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 Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.