Program Officer (WYPRI)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Mercy Corps Iraq Team

Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003. Mercy Corps Iraq has a whole-of-Iraq approach and operates across nine governorates: Anbar, Basra, Duhok, Baghdad, Erbil, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah al-Din, and Sulaymaniyah with an experienced team of nearly 250 national and international staff. Through our extensive portfolio, Mercy Corps Iraq has formed strong relations with the communities and local authorities where we operate and has an in-depth understanding of the security and cultural context in the areas where we work. Mercy Corps Iraq is currently implementing seven programs in Ninewa Governorate, with a demonstrated track record of working together with local stakeholders – from government directorates, as well as community leaders, women’s associations, local councils, Municipal Councils, Provincial Councils, Ninewa and Mosul Universities, and local and international NGOs. Mercy Corps has an especially strong background in designing and enacting social cohesion activities and peacebuilding with communities.

Program Summary

The Women and Youth-Led Peace and Reconciliation (WYPRI) project will respond to the unique gender, power, and conflict dynamics that characterize the current context in Ninewa Governorate. Ninewa Governorate, one of the most diverse regions in Iraq and among the worst-affected by mass violence and displacement, is facing a critical transition post-ISIS and with the repatriation of internally displaced persons (IDP). Low social acceptance of returnees and discomfort among persecuted minority communities, and in particular women from some of those communities, are significant challenges that require the promotion of gender-responsive and community-led transitional justice mechanisms. The WYRPI initiative ultimately seeks to strengthen social cohesion within and between diverse communities and identity groups in Al Hamdani District, Ninewa Governorate, Iraq.

General Position Summary

The Program Officer for the Women and Youth-Led Peace and Reconciliation (WYPRI) project assumes a key role in overseeing and coordinating with the government officials, private sector stakeholders, and public sector

stakeholders. Their primary responsibility lies in the effective implementation of reconciliation and peacebuilding activities under the WYPRI project. This involves close collaboration with local partners to ensure that the project achieves its objectives in terms of quality, scope, budget, and timeframe. Furthermore, the Program Officer is committed to fostering lasting and positive change by promoting gender equality, thereby benefiting the women, girls, households, and communities involved in the project. The Program Officer will be expected to do this while

adhering to donor and Mercy Corps program management standards.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Organize all activities/events related to the WYPRI project according to the work plan.
• Supporting community outreach and mobilization for dialogue and reconciliation processes.
• Work together with local government to facilitate and coordinate the program activities implementations.
• Provide support to all WYPRI project staff in terms of procurement and finance support.
• Submit monthly and weekly activities progress report for program implementation to Senior Program Officer.
• Support in the documentation process for program activities and ensure a program filing system is in place, adheres to internal (PM@MC) and donor’s regulation and filing is regularly maintained.
• Assist with administrative tasks and responsibilities.
• Prepare additional reports/presentations/statistics as needed.
• Attending project related meetings and trainings.
• Abide by all security protocols.
• Disseminate and document success stories of program.
• Conduct him/herself professionally and in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Accountable to Position Description, MC HR Manual, and Code of Conduct 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: none

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Interim Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: MEL Unit, Program staff, CSOs, logistics and finance teams, and other MC team members.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of work experience with an INGO / local NGO administratively
• Prior skills in organizing training/events is a plus
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with multiple stakeholders including the private sector, local authorities, and CSOs in complex environments.

• Successful and proven negotiation, communication, and organization skills
• Computer skills – Word and Excel desired
• Language skills – Arabic, English desired
• Ability to work and interact with diverse staff from different ethnicities and backgrounds Ability to conduct oneself with sensitivity and respect toward others.

Success Factors

The successful Climate advisor will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative and gender transformative approaches and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programming.  He/She will foster a positive, open culture of growth, innovation and collective problem solving.

Ongoing Learning

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

Accountability to Participants

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.

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

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 and Ethics

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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. As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES:

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position descriptions for the vacant positions. S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in difficult, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace.

Interested candidates should submit their CVs to the email address [email protected] before the deadline indicated below.

Please indicate on the subject of the email the title of the position you are applying for.

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY October 1^st , 2024

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. As soon as qualified candidates are identified the positions will be closed automatically. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for potential interview.

Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. Females are highly encouraged to apply.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for This Position. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global Impact.

Mercy Corps Iraq offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their careers. Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.