GENERAL PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Jobtech Alliance is an ecosystem-building initiative, which seeks to build the inclusive jobtech ecosystem in Africa through two complementary workstreams: (1) Improving the Enabling Environment for platforms to thrive and businesses and create quality jobs, through research and insights, community-building, development of open-source standards and tools, and improvement of the funding and policy environment (2) Venture Support to jobtech start-up across Africa - we seek to improve strategy, product and operational innovations which make their services more viable and scalable, more inclusive and/or delivering better quality jobs for the users they serve (through technical assistance, project delivery support, grant capital and connections to partners). The program currently has funding from four donors, which is likely to grow over the coming year.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Support Senior Officer will report directly to the Program Director, supporting managing program operations for the Jobtech Alliance portfolio of grants across Africa. They lead on program management standards across grants and contracts, manage partner communications, and ensure that program operations run smoothly. The Program Support Senior Officer is an integral part of the Jobtech Alliance Project Management Unit, and helps to create systems that are efficient, secure and effective in achieving the results of the program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Partner Communication and Coordination

• Function as a project management and administrative liaison between key Jobtech Alliance partners and relevant Mercy Corps departments (finance, procurement, subgrants)
• Lead partner pre-award and contracting assessments, including due diligence; support the contracting process; compile documentation for ongoing payments; and coordinate with the finance team to follow up and resolve any issues related to reporting and payments
• Verify that progress reports and financial reports are received from partners and vendors prior to report submission deadlines.
• Support assigned technical team members to deliver on partnership commitments and contribute to partnership development including kick off and ongoing meetings as directed by respective technical team members.

Program and Operations Support

• Ensure successful program implementation through managing timely alerts, recommendations for follow-up action; reporting and suggesting solutions for any concerns about partners or project related issues to the program technical leads and team, where necessary.
• Work closely with the Operations Director and Procurement team to payments and completeness of documents for all program related procurement and payments and ensure a streamlined process flow from technical through to operations.
• Ensure compliance as pertains to managing program projected expenditures by coordinating and compiling program related expenses for the monthly cash-flow analysis.
• Co-ordinate with the technical team to ensure the proper maintenance of all files, records and documents relating to the project. This includes scopes of work for various consultants, MOUs, and all relevant documentation.
• Provide support to technical teams and consultants in contracting and operations related documentation for program partner engagements, procurements, including drafting of justification memos and other required documents under the direction of the respective technical team members.
• Support the organization and coordination of events, including program-specific summits, learning sessions, team retreats, and other related activities.
• Manage onboarding for program team members as pertains to training needs and ongoing support for new employees, consultants, and technical team members in coordination with the HR department.
• Build capacity of team members to follow Mercy Corps processes and standards.
• Provide ongoing support to the Program director as required.

Program Systems

• Lead management and ongoing improvement of Jobtech Alliance systems which improve effectiveness and efficiencies of our work, including on Airtable and Hubspot.
• Collaborate with program and operations teams on building new and/or maintaining existing templates, tools and tracking systems for ensuring smooth operations between program, operations, and finance teams.
• Manage the Jobtech Alliance program google database/ SharePoint drives, including updates, documentation filing/archiving as and upgrades, whilst troubleshooting with the ICT HQ team, where necessary.
• Provide continuous Support in clearance of bottlenecks in procurement processes crosscutting between Program and Operations/Finance/Compliance

Implement CARM System and Tools.

• In coordination with Gender Director, responsible for implementation of CARM, including internal and/or external referrals, compiling reports on feedback, and providing recommendations to the programs for improving the response.
• Champion and maintain community accountability reporting mechanism and following system.

Adherence to Policies and Procedures

• Personal conduct should always be professional and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Accountability To Participants - Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to program participants and to international standards guiding international development work, while actively engaging ecosystem as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Diversity and Inclusion - responsibility to create a positive culture and to safeguard equity, inclusion, dignity, and respect for all. Each employee is expected to be a role model for others and ensure alignment with MC diversity and Inclusion values.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, Microfinance, Business Administration, or banking and finance.
• Minimum 5-8 years working for a start-up, bank, MNO, non-governmental organization or a reputable international or national organization preferred.
• Experience working with start-ups and/or technology for development an advantage.
• Excellent Computer, verbal, and written communication skills, including report development, writing, and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication.
• Highly pro-active and self-disciplined.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in project management skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Willingness to travel approximately once per quarter.

 SUCCESS FACTORS/ ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Initiative-taker, multi-tasker, and able to work effectively and respectfully with start-ups, civil society and donors.
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing systems and procedures as well as experience in building team commitment toward the achievements of program objectives.
• Team-player with positive attitude to problem solving and conflict resolution. Focused on team building and capacity-building of program staff and will be able to apply creative solutions to program quality.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected events impacting program operations.

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

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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 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 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.

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 (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).