Community Mobilizer

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. Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced persons. Mercy Corps Iraq current goal is to work with new and existing civil society, public and private sector partners to meet immediate and long-term needs by strengthening communities’ ability to rebuild amidst increasing crises. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a relief-to-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflict-affected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society.

Program Summary:

Mercy Corps, Ahlan Simsim Program is a 24-month, partnership with Sesame Workshop to implement Strategic Objective 3 of the Ahlan Simsim Iraq program across Baghdad, Anbar, Salah Al-din, Basra, and Ninewa governorates of Iraq. In line with Ahlan Simsim’s results framework, the proposed intervention will focus on Ahlan Simsim’s Strategic Objective 3 in which youth (15-29) have increased assets, agency, contributions, and access to an enabling environment through (1) improved soft skills, (2) improved skills in storytelling and media capacities and (3) increased meaningful and inclusive engagement within their communities across religious, ethnic, and sectarian groups. Under this Strategic Objective. To achieve this Strategic Objective, the intervention will coordinate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and its directorates in targeted governorates, to establish four youth centers in existing community buildings targeting conflict-affected and vulnerable youth.

The main objectives and intermediate Result of the program are:

• Youth (15-29) have increased assets, agency, contribution, and access to an enabling environment.
• Improved soft skills (to be determined by assessment findings).
• Improved skills in storytelling and media capacities.
• Increased meaningful and inclusive engagement within their communities and across religions, ethnic and sectarian groups.

General Position Summary:

The Community Mobilizer level Junior Program Officer will work closely with the Program Manager to offer overall support for project implementation on the ground and  to ensure the smooth execution of Mercy Corps’ new two-year Ahlan Simsim program activities within Basra youth centers. The Community Mobilizer will be based in Basra. S/he will be in charge of preparing program reports and giving timely support to coaches and youth centers managers in Basra. S/he will be responsible for all of the essential technical activities as well as administrative support. Additionally, all activities carried out at Basra’s centers must be documented, including meeting minutes, images, case studies, and progress reports.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• To mobilize the communities at the targeted location and to supervise and design the community mobilization and reach-out campaigns.
• To work with the Program Manager to effectively execute the program in Basra’s youth centers and administrative activities.
• Ensure program objectives and deadlines are tracked and met. and collaborate with program, support staff to ensure program implementation in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps standard implementation procedures and
• To work with the Program Manager to follow program work plans.
• Responsible for procurement process through electronic system (ProSource) in Basra in coordination with Program Manager and the team.
• Responsible for clearing all activity expenses with Finance department related to all activities are implemented by community mobilizer in Anbar in coordination with Program Manager and the team.
• Responsibility of coordination, preparation and organization of the main program workshops, trainings, and meetings in Basra.
• Prepare and modify documents including correspondence, reports, meeting agendas, schedules, and take meeting minutes for all activities, case studies as well as progress reports that are implemented in Anbar centers.
• Responsible for filling structure of program and collect means of verification of all activities implemented in Anbar’s centers.
• Provide support to the M&E team to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation process is in place to keep track of program outputs as well as evaluating outcomes in Basra.
• Responsible for the submission weekly progress reports for activities are implemented in Anbar to the Program Manager and work closely with him/her on other achievements reports. As well as prepare additional reports, presentations and statistics as needed.
• Attend bi-weekly meetings with the Program Manager to go through the activities progress with key challenges and way forwards.
• Abide by all security and operation protocols and ensure that program implementation is conducted with the respect to the security protocols, responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Conduct him/herself professionally and in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian vision.
• Conduct all the tasks/work directed by the supervisor.

ACCOUNTABILITY/REPORTING: 

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.  Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.  Ensure findings from endline surveys, evaluations, and internal and external audits are used to improve programs.

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. 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.

Supervisory Responsibility: The coaches and champions at youth centers in Basra.

Accountability: Accountable to position description, MC HR Manual

Reports Directly To: Program Manager

Works Directly With: Program team and the other MC departments.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields is preferred.
• Fluency in Arabic and English preferable.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with an international NGO. experience in reporting and admin works is preferred.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience managing resources and understanding the need for regular support and follow- up to ensure that project objectives are met.
• Good writing and reporting skills.
• Hugh level computer and internet skills are required.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving skills and effective listening, negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a sensitive environment.
• Strong multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
• Commitment to working with vulnerable groups regardless of race, religion, or gender.
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender and youth issues in system strengthening and institutionalization programming.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.

Success Factors:

The successful Community Mobilizer level Junior Program Officer  will combine administrative/soft skills and technical  skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines. Excellent reporting/written and oral communication skills (email communications, regular updates, and internal and external reports). Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. Proven ability to learn quickly, takes initiative, and be accountable for results. Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. Ability to work with diverse groups of people. Conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment. Understanding of the long-term implications of development work. Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Professional proficiency in English and Arabic required. The candidate should be able to communicate at a professional level with staff, stakeholders, and beneficiaries. The most successful Mercy Corps staff member has a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and makes effective communication a priority in all situations. Flexibility about work assignments and processes is necessary in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, coupled with the ability to respond to many new and unpredictable challenges in a demanding program.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

The position is based in Basra, Iraq. Personnel in this location are expected to follow all security protocols. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit 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 always and in all in-country venues.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERINCE:

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, for full position description for the noted posts, please visit websites NGOs.

This role is only open to Iraqi citizens and individuals who have the legal right to work in Iraq.

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY April 20, 2024 at 4:00PM

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. 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.

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.