NGO Jobs in Nairobi, Kenya - Mercy Corps (Program Assistants)

Mercy Corps is a leading global relief and development agency saving and improving lives in the world’s toughest places. In more than 40 countries, we partner with local people to put bold ideas into action, help them overcome adversity and build stronger communities. 

We help communities survive and move beyond emergencies. When natural disasters strike, economies collapse or conflict flares, Mercy Corps is there. 

Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives to grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. 

We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. 

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individual to take up the following position.

Program Assistant – YES! Program 
Nairobi, Kenya 
(Two Positions)
 
Program / Department Summary: Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work in very difficult places.

We have been operating in Kenya since 2008 and are presently implementing development programs across the Central, Rift Valley, North Western and Northern Eastern regions of Kenya.

Mercy Corps, funded by the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation (TCCAF) is implementing a three-year program; Youth Empowered for Success (YES!) in Kenya. 

The YES program is a Coca-Cola Africa Foundation initiative that seeks to promote and facilitate youth (ages 18-35) employment and employability in Kenya, Tunisia, Uganda, Nigeria and Liberia. 

Through the YES initiative, Mercy Crops will enable youth across Africa to access new economic opportunities including jobs, skills training, mentorship and financial services.

The overall goal of the YES! Program is improved and increased employment and entrepreneurship.

General Position Summary: The Program Assistant will support with on-the-ground implementation of YES! activities. 

This will involve youth mobilization, private sector engagement, and monitoring and evaluation. 

S/he will ensure that the YES! Program implementation is responsive to the needs of vulnerable youth in their communities, and that activities transition them to better opportunities that promote youth employment in Kenya.

Essential Job Functions:
 
Youth Mobilization
  • Assist with conducting community mapping to identify potential locations for YES! Hubs;
  • Together with TOTs mobilize, recruit and link youth to YES! hubs in their region;
  • Assist with conducting group assessments and subsequent group dynamic trainings to the groups at the Hubs;
  • Together with the YES! Ambassadors form youth groups based on their interests upon completion of the core training modules for ease of linkages;
  • Participate in the creation of training and project development plans with participating youth groups;
  • Provide technical assistance to ambassadors, hub committees and local partners as required improving the quality of training delivery and ensuring the YES! Goal of youth empowerment is achieved;
Training Support
  • Identify and support suitable delivery methods for the YES! Curriculum and group operations for their growth;
  • Work with YES! Ambassadors to identify suitable trainers or partners in various technical areas within the Hubs location;
  • Ensure that the YES! Trainings are delivered by the ambassadors to an adequate standard using approved methodologies;
Private Sector Engagement and Partner Coordination
  • Identify SACCOs/MFIs within the Hub locations for possible linkages to financial services;
  • Identify possible linkage opportunities to jobs, buyers, franchisors, and financial service providers for the youth who have gone through the trainings within the Hub;
  • Assist with coordinating partner relationships along with the YES! Ambassadors;
Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Conduct routine monitoring of trainings and Hub activities and offer guidance on a routine basis and make recommendations to the other YES! staff for action plan;
  • Generate routine progress reports and document issues arising and recommended solutions as required;
  • Document success stories and case studies from the YES! Beneficiaries and the established partnerships;
Other
  • Participate in the development of project documents, curricula reviews and key program tools; 
  • 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.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
 
Accountability
 
Reports Directly To: Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Works Directly With:
 Program Manager, Operations and Finance Departments
 
Knowledge and Experience:
  • A degree in Social Sciences, Community Development or other relevant field;
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in community mobilization, group development and/or skills building program;
  • Experience managing youth activities and especially targeting vulnerable youth programs required;
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing;
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Success Factors: 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the capacity to lead a multi-dimensional effort in a complex, fluid and fast paced security/political environment.

S/he will employ excellent judgment, strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. 

S/he will take initiative, calculate risks and benefits of various courses of action, lead others to achieve to the highest level possible, and demonstrate solid decision–making while working in concert with diverse partners.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to ke-hrkenya@mercycorps.org on or before Friday 28th October, 2016 by 4.00pm. 

The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for. 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified.

 Please do not attach any certificates.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)

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