Area Coordinators -Border Security Programme- 3 positions -Busia,Moyale, and Wajir/Garissa

Job Category : Programming

Requisition Number : AREAC007149

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Posting Details

• Posted: October 8, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site
• ### Locations

Showing 1 location

Garissa

Next to Garissa Law courts, first turn on the way to KRA offices

Garissa, KE-07 1186800100, KEN

Garissa

Next to Garissa Law courts, first turn on the way to KRA offices

Garissa, KE-07 1186800100, KEN

Nairobi

Almont Park, off Waiyaki Way, 3rd Floor

Nairobi, KE-48 1186800100, KEN

Nairobi

Almont Park, off Waiyaki Way, 3rd Floor

Nairobi, KE-48 1186800100, KEN

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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 partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Programme / Department

Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 and has built a robust and diverse portfolio working to enable Kenyans affected by poverty, climate change, resource scarcity and conflict to be healthy, productive and to drive peace and development of their communities. To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, innovate urban youth employment opportunities, respond to climate-related shocks, address the root causes of conflict, and build the resilience of vulnerable populations - in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized communities.

Mercy Corps is seeking Area Coordinators for the FCDO-funded Border Security Programme (BSP).  Irregular migration and associated criminal activity in East Africa remain a complex and escalating challenge which leads to significant exploitation of vulnerable people on the move.  The planned East Africa Land Border Programme will take a multifaceted approach – integrating ‘prevention’, ‘prepare/protect’ and ‘pursue’. An important purpose of this programme is to support the pursuit of human traffickers and smugglers who are exploiting vulnerable populations on the move.  Initial interventions will take place in the Kenya border regions, with planned and phased expansion to Uganda, Ethiopia and possibly Somalia border areas.

General Position Summary

The BSP Area Coordinator reports to the Kenya Country Lead and serves as Mercy Corps’ focal point for the Border Security Programme (BSP) within the assigned area. The role provides oversight and coordination of partner activities, leads area-level work planning, and serves as the primary liaison with local government and other key stakeholders.

The Area Coordinator ensures that activities across BSP outcomes and partners are well-coordinated, sequenced, complementary, timely, and within budget, while remaining aligned with overall programme objectives

Essential Job Responsibilities

Area Coordination and Work Planning

• Coordinate and oversee all BSP partner activities in the area, ensuring they are sequenced, complementary and aligned with the overall programme workplan.

• With the Kenya Country Lead and outcome leads, develop and update the area workplan quarterly, and chair regular area-level coordination meetings with partners.

• Track progress against the workplan and report on implementation, flagging delays, gaps or overlaps between partners and proposing solutions.

• Maintain the area risk register, updating it quarterly and as needed, and escalate issues promptly.

• Attend quarterly programme meetings and contribute area-level updates, lessons and priorities.

Partner Oversight

• Act as the day-to-day link between consortium partners, local partners and outcome leads in the area.

• Monitor partner delivery against agreed milestones and verify activities. Recommend milestone payments or corrective action where needed.

• Identify opportunities to layer and link activities across partners and outcomes to increase impact.

• Ensure partners comply with programme, donor and safeguarding requirements.

Government Engagement and Representation

• Serve as the primary liaison with county and national government offices in the area, building relationships that support implementation.

• Brief government counterparts regularly on progress, challenges and lessons, and organise joint field visits where appropriate.

• Facilitate government participation in programme activities and planning.

• Represent Mercy Corps and BSP at area-level coordination forums, in consultation with BSP leadership.

Operations, Security and MEL

• Liaise with finance, logistics, procurement, HR and administration teams so operational support meets field needs and complies with Mercy Corps and donor policies.

• Work with the security focal point to ensure activities are planned with sound security analysis and that team safety systems are in place.

• Support the MEL team so area data is collected, used and fed back into adaptive management and the BSP learning agenda.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Actively learns safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.

• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.

• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Supervisory Responsibility

• ##### None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Kenya Country Lead

Works Directly with: Programme Leads, Operations Team, Finance Team, Program Managers, consortium partners, local implementing partners, and donor stakeholders.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Programme Management, Development studies, Migration, security Sector/Police reform, Border/Security Management, or related discipline.

• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in multi-sectoral programs, including security, governance and policing, strategic planning and implementing programs.

• Strong managerial skills, including adaptive management, coordination and decision-making.

• Experience working in complex programs required.

• Sound understanding of financial, procurement, administration, and logistics management systems, including remote management.

• Experience coordinating multiple activities, developing synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration.

• Strong commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.

• Experience working with host governments at the sub-national level, INGOs and national NGOs.

• Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented; and possessing an ability to anticipate program and operational needs.

• Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment and to a diverse group of national and international staff.

• Understanding of adaptive management and participatory methodologies for project design, implementation, and evaluation.

• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.

• Knowledge of the local language in the Area of application.

• Persuasive written and oral communication in English and Swahili required; competency in a relevant local language beneficial.

Success Factors

The successful Area Coordinator will have a strong understanding of project approaches and represent the project professionally at all times. He/she will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders. A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention with a commitment to working closely and collaboratively with the local Government structures and consortium partners. He/she will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. 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 and verbal communication a priority.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

These positions will be based in Garissa, Moyale and Busia. Frequent travel is required throughout and between operational counties, at approximately 30% of the time. 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 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.

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 committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

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 Inter-agency 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.