Job category: Programming
Requisition number: 8KEMA004532Apply now
Posting details
- Posted: 20 December 2023
Job details
Description
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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 to address the societal wounds following the 2007 post- election violence. Since that time, Mercy Corps has built a robust and diverse portfolio in Kenya that is working to address structural causes of poverty and injustice and to strengthen systems that enable men, women and youth to access opportunities, participate in and contribute to peaceful democratic processes, and thrive in the face of ecological and social change.
To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, address the root causes of conflict, and equip vulnerable populations- in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized communities- with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to be healthy, productive and to drive the development of their communities. We work closely with the private sector, civil society and governance structures at local and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Kenyans.
Program / Department Summary
With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps is leading a consortium of Kenyan and International partners in implementation of Nutrition in ASALs Within Integrated Resilience Institutions (Nawiri) program, a $145 million (USD) Resilience Food Security Activity (2019 – 2027), which aims to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Turkana and Samburu Counties of Kenya.
Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society. Mercy Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions.
During the first phase (two years) of the program, USAID Nawiri commissioned various studies to improve understanding of the complexities and interplay of the causalities contributing to persistent acute malnutrition in the two Counties.
The evidence generated from the studies informed the design of the program interventions with the aim of strengthening nutrition resilience of individuals, households, and local communities by bridging critical knowledge gaps and transforming practices.
The Mercy Corps – led consortium consists of Save the Children, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), the BOMA Project, African Population & Health Research Center (APHRC), Caritas Lodwar and other local implementing partners bringing together global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions. Together we will sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition for vulnerable populations in Turkana and Samburu Counties.
General Position Summary
The Partnership and Capacity Building Manager will be responsible for spearheading USAID Nawiri program’s localization strategy through nurturing partnerships with local organizations and community groups involved in nutrition and resilience initiatives.
The role involves assessing partner capacities, designing tailored capacity development programs, and providing ongoing support to enhance their skills and capabilities.
The manager will promote collaborative efforts among stakeholders, integrates partner activities into the program’s strategy, monitor progress, and facilitate resource mobilization to ensure effective and timely support is provided to the local CSO to improve their contribution and impact to the program’s goal of sustainably reducing persistent acute malnutrition as well as their long – term capacity. This position demands a seasoned individual proficient at fostering relationships, driving capacity development, and orchestrating cohesive initiatives to enhance nutrition resilience within local communities.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
- Identify, establish, and maintain strategic partnerships with local organizations and community groups involved in nutrition, food security, and resilience programs.
- Cultivate strong relationships with partners to ensure alignment with program goals and foster collaboration.
COORDINATION
- In collaboration with the Snr Director, Program Performance and Quality, Director of Implementation and Nutrition Resilience, Systems Strengthening lead and Field Directors organize quarterly program performance meetings with program implementation partners.
- Submit quarterly performance reports to program leadership on partnership activities, achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
- Collaborate with the program team to integrate partner activities into the overall program strategy.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of partners through joint field visits, data quality audits, performance review meetings to assess the impact of capacity building initiatives and identify areas for improvement in line with the program goal and objectives.
- Develop and maintain a database of formal and informal civil society organizations.
- Oversee the capacity assessment of identified organizations using Mercy Corps Organizational Capacity Index Tools.
- On the basis of the findings, provide strategic program guidance and technical support for the CSO capacity building portion of the program, through provision of support to field staff and partner organizations as required to effectively engage in resilient activities, in coordination with the PM.
- Develop and/or refine existing CSO capacity building curriculum to fit local context and capacity and oversee its delivery in collaboration with program staff.
- Refine organizational development tools and recommend best approaches for the staff and partner capacity development, building on existing Mercy Corps knowledge and experience.
- Facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and support during field visits, training and other forms of staff capacity-building activities in coordination with the program team.
- Provide inputs in refining the existing organizational development, monitoring and evaluation by incorporating conflict sensitive approaches and gender sensitivity, based on field feedback, effectiveness in the field, and appropriateness to ensure civil society organizations are being strengthened to meet program objectives.
- Identify and support mechanisms for effective project monitoring and evaluation efforts and systems for information sharing internally and externally.
- Support the development and implementation of civil society advocacy plans.
- Abide by all security protocols and assist in ensuring their implementation by other staff.
- Maintain professional conduct at all times to ensure Mercy Corps reputation and its humanitarian mission is upheld.
SECURITY
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Implementation and Nutrition Resilience
Works Directly With: DCOP, Snr Director Program Performance, Governance Lead, Finance Manager, CARM Officer
Knowledge and Experience
- BA/S or equivalent in social sciences, program management, international development, organizational development or other relevant field; MA/S preferred.
- 5 – 7 years of experience with at least 3 years of progressive experience working in partnerships and capacity building development and/or program management for INGOs in humanitarian, development sectors or related fields. Experience in institutional capacity development, gender and/or working with a consortium of partners in similar contexts would be an added advantage.
- Good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies and capacity building frameworks including ability to inform training content and method of organizational development.
- Ability to coordinate with internal and external actors to facilitate capacity building, when needed.
- Conversant with the local context, culture, and dynamics of the communities in Samburu and Turkana Counties.
- Excellent written and oral communication, negotiation, interpersonal skills, to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability in design and delivery of capacity building initiatives and training programs for local civil society organizations (CSOs)
- Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation techniques to assess program impact and effectiveness.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently in a fast – changing environment as well as part of a multidisciplinary team, manage time and execute tasks effectively.
- Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building and TOT training.
- Strong leadership and project management skills. Relevant certification is desirable.
Success Factors
Success in the Partnership and Capacity Building Manager role for the USAID Nawiri Program hinges on adept relationship cultivation, fostering robust collaborations with local entities, and effective stakeholder engagement. Key success factors include the ability to assess and address partner needs through tailored capacity building initiatives, ensuring their active participation and contribution toward program goals.
The manager should possess strong communication skills to facilitate coordination among diverse stakeholders, integrate partner activities seamlessly into the program framework, and monitor progress effectively. Adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and a strategic mindset are essential to navigating the complexities of local contexts and driving lasting change in nutrition resilience within communities.
Ongoing Learning
This project will be adaptive based on learning and evidence emerging from programme interventions and research. Additionally, 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.
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 & 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.
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 eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Mercy Corps does NOT charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.
