Programme / Department

Mercy Corps has a significant depth of experience throughout the Horn of Africa, including an operational presence in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Within the Horn of Africa, Mercy Corps’ strategic focus is on dryland communities and programming in these areas include governance, social cohesion, market systems development, climate change adaptation interventions, among others. Through our work across a diversity of program activities, Mercy Corps supports the establishment and cultivation of resilient livelihoods. Mercy Corps is starting up the Regional Livestock Programme. Implemented largely in the ASAL areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, RLP works to ensure pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the target trade corridors have more climate resilient, inclusive and sustainable livelihoods.

General Position Summary

The Rangeland and Natural Resource Management (RNRM) Officer, working under the supervision of Somalia RLP Program Manager and in conjunction with Galkayo corridor coordinator and other RLP program team, as well as other relevant stakeholders. He/She is responsible for leading all RLP program activities and community and business engagement activities within the target trade corridor. The PRM Officer will work with all Somalia program and support team including coordinators, Advisors and Officers to develop and maintain partnerships with target communities, private sector, government and civil society and strengthen community partnership and the participatory rangeland management (PRM) and Natural Resource management (NRM) system to the benefit of RLP target communities.   S/he will be the primary relationship holder with all rangeland management and target communities related activities in the field. S/He will also identify or facilitate the formation of rangeland and water resource committees in the target areas and increase the voice and participation of these committees. S/He will also coordinate with RLP Program Managers (PM), Corridor coordinator, Officers and Advisors to organize training events, identify learnings and successes for documentation and sharing livestock sector community resilience and best practices, support development or adaptation of tools and guidance documents, identify and support markets-related research activities, lead stakeholder and technical knowledge sharing events, and liaising with relevant stakeholder networks, and local partners/institutions. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION
  • In close coordination and under the supervision of the trade corridor coordinator and the RLP PM, contribute to the program strategy and vision to improve pastoralists and agro-pastoralists
  • This contributes to the development of the partnerships between target community, private sector actors, including attracting and incentivizing the public and private sector to invest in RLP initiatives and interventions.
  • Support the program manager and Corridor coordinator to design and lead rangeland/natural resource and community related interventions and ensure these interventions reach or benefit target populations.
  • Liaise with the Results Measurement (MRM) team on the development of appropriately tailored research tools and methods for the collection and collation of relevant intervention information from the field.
INTERVENTION MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE GALKAYO CORRIDOR
  • Formulate strategies to develop rangeland/natural resource management actors within the Corridor and seek opportunities to work as per the RLP sector strategy.
  • Lead the participatory rangeland/natural resource management (PRM) process to support multi-purpose rangeland management (land use) plans, as well as to strengthen customary institutions such as Rangeland/natural resource management Councils/sub-councils in the target corridors.
  • Develop intervention and implementation procedures in a participatory manner with key stakeholders.
  • Support development of plans and budgets, and support sequencing, layering and integration of Participatory rangeland/natural resource management (PRM) interventions into other activities in the corridors to maximize efforts.
  • Identify and test public and private investment schemes for good natural resources management in the corridor.
  • Stay up to date with current trends and best-practices in relation to climate change adaptation and climate tracking technologies; rem developments in the relevant sectors, tools, approaches and research relevant to participatory rangeland/natural resource management, natural resource management and range restoration, and present and make recommendations on how to incorporate relevant, appropriate methods to inform-decision-making and support adaptation outcomes at different levels.
  • Assist in collecting baseline, midline and endline data related to interventions targeted for study or implementation by the project.
  • Identify and support the livestock farmers to practice rangeland/natural resource resilience and management practices.
  • Prepare technical briefs on scope of rangeland/natural resource management techniques in selected project sites
  • Lead rangeland/natural resource management stakeholder mapping, stakeholder capacity measurement and stakeholder analysis in collaboration with program team,
  • Develop approaches and strategies to rangeland and natural resource management sector-led investments in the RLP interventions.
  • Assess the inclusiveness and effectiveness of management and governance structures of customary institutions and provide capacity building support, including institutional strengthening, gender equity, and skills development.
  • Promote joint governance approach for both government and communities that recognizes the strengths and relevance of the roles of the parties.
  • Within the sector ensure the appropriate communication of clear intervention guidelines, expected outcomes, timeframe and workplan to all relevant parties.
  • Identify opportunities for cross-border learning and conduct regular field visits to ensure proper implementation of activities.
  • Increase the involvement and engagement of women in the customary institutions.
  • Work with Results Measurement (RM) to design appropriate tools for monitoring the progress of interventions within the various range actors.
  • Lead concepts note development to refine and adapt the intervention strategies in light of community and stakeholder requests and changing needs and opportunities, within the overall program.
POLICY AND REPRESENTATION WORK
  • Under the supervision of the RLP manager/ the trade corridor coordinate, closely coordinate with local partners and stakeholders to develop and implement a range and natural resource management and advocacy agenda, engaging with local and national institutions, as well as private sector actors, to drive rangeland resource systems discussions, development, and implementation.
  • Represent the programme in key forums within the Galkayo
  • Manage and update stakeholder management plan.
SECURITY MANAGEMENT
  • Work closely with the country team’s security focal point and the RLP PM to contribute to the development and adherence to systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
  • Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E) AND REPORTING
  • Work closely with the programme MEL team members to ensure that RLP teams working within the Corridor feed into M&E systems and processes and that data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform ongoing adaptation of programme strategies and delivery approaches.
  • Work with country-level Program managers to assess and analyze impact and adaptively manage the programme to meet results.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

  • Closely work with the trade corridor cordinater and the IFSLS Team to conduct community engagements across the trade corridor
  • Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
  • Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

  • Understand and aware of the GDI related priorities of the country office and contribute for the realization of priorities (continually work to understand and be aware of the gender diversity and inclusion priorities of the country office and contribute in the execution)
  • Promote gender equal and inclusive workplace culture in a day-to-day interaction with team members, partners and program participants.

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 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND PARTNERS

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and partners 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

  • Not applicable

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Regional Livestock Program Manager for Somalia

Works Directly with: Galkayo corridor coordinator, RLP Team at the Galkayo corridor (Somalia and Ethiopia), MEL/MRM team members, MC Somalia, Operations, Security, Compliance & Finance team members,

Knowledge and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, such as Community Development, social science, Development studies, Dry-land Agriculture, Rangeland or another related field preferred. MSc in relevant field is an added advantage.
  • Basic knowledge of common shocks and stresses, natural resource/rangeland management, feed and fodder, live animal/meat trade and animal health systems in Somalia
  • At least 4 years of technical and practical work experience in one of the required fields;
  • Experience and proven track record in rural development and participatory methods (including participatory integrated development plans)
  • Experience working with pastoral communities, including dealing with gender issues and complex social decision-making structures / conflicts.
  • Knowledge of institutional and/or administrative aspects relevant to the land (communal or otherwise) in Somalia
  • Experience coordinating multiple activities, developing synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration.
  • Demonstrated experience in stakeholder relationship cultivation and management.
  • Demonstrated commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
  • The position requires a candidate with excellent communication skills, a relationship builder and
  • Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
  • Persuasive written and oral communication in English, including report writing; competency in a relevant local language beneficial.
  • Experience of working in Puntland State of Somalia is

Success Factors

The PRM Officer will have exceptional community and private sector engagement and partnership skills, as well as the ability to strengthen the capacity of other staff members and sector leaders. In addition to technical agribusiness expertise, s/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams, capacity building of partner institutions and of individual staff, with strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.  S/he will be conversant in a diversity of cross-cutting technical themes, including market system development, WASH, governance, climate change, social cohesion and female empowerment, among others. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written / verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position will be based in Galkayo but cover all the trade corridor coverage areas. 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 MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

This project will be adaptive based on learning and evidence emerging from program 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 based on race, color, gender, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital 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 the 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. 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 the 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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.