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Youth Livelihoods Program Manager - PROSPECTS Program - Liberia

12:58:00 PM

This position is contingent on receipt of new program funding.

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Youth and children represent 55% of the Liberian population and maintain little interest in agriculture, despite a dire lack of jobs and poor education levels. In response, Mercy Corps, together with our partners, has designed an innovative approach to youth economic empowerment which combines life skills training and workforce development that will enable PROSPECTS participants to find gainful employment, while developing positive social ties with their communities. The PROSPECTS program is part of a broader Mercy Corps Liberia program portfolio of market-responsive youth and livelihoods development.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The PROSPECTS Program Manager will manage and provide direction to the PROSPECTS program team, in close coordination with Mercy Corps Liberia’s other programs (in particular the Advancing Youth Program (AYP)), to leverage resources and ensure complementarity in approaches and activities. The position is currently envisaged for one-year, during which time the Program Manager will mentor a Project Manager to progressively assume the program management responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Oversee and coordinate all PROSPECTS project activities in coordination with the AYP Youth Livelihoods Team Leader.
  • Provide technical expertise to field staff in program design, implementation strategies, and work planning.
  • In collaboration with AYP Youth Livelihoods Team Leader, develop innovative ways of strengthening strategic linkages among TVET with public and private players.
  • Mentor the Mercy Corps Project Manager and ensure a smooth and progressive transition of the PROSPECTS program management beyond the first 12 months.
  • Take the lead in mobilizing and managing potential short-term technical assistants (including international consultants), including drafting Scopes of Work, etc.
  • Develop programs, activities and initiatives for young people in areas of identified need, utilizing existing and potential resources, ensuring that a variety of stakeholders, including youth, are consulted.
  • Collaborate and network with key local authorities, agencies and organizations so that limited resources may be most effectively used for the benefit of young people.
  • Represent the program with the private sector, including CSR forum, in collaboration with Country Director.
  • Develop mechanisms to evaluate the outcomes of the youth activities, programs and services provided.
  • Monitor field program results and ensure cross-learning of best practices among field programs.
  • Provide timely and accurate progress reports.
  • Represent the project as needed.
  • In collaboration with the Country Director, participate in the preparation of program proposals;
  • Participate in senior management team meetings as requested;
  • Organize and facilitate field visits for donors and Mercy Corps staff as agreed upon with manager;
  • 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;
  • Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

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 towards 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 programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Direct supervision of PROSPECTS project team

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: AYP Youth Livelihoods Team Leader, other country Program Managers, HQ technical support unit, operations and finance team in the country and field offices.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • 3 years of experience managing development programs with a focus on youth, livelihoods, community mobilization or capacity building related programs.
  • Experience working with youth empowerment, economic development/livelihoods and conflict management.
  • Experience in managing teams and facilitating strategic planning and program development processes.
  • Financial and personnel management experience and knowledge.
  • Experience engaging the private sector.
  • Experience in both community level programming and government focused capacity building.
  • Excellent relationship management skills.
  • Excellent report writing skills and speaking skills and an excellent communicator.
  • Excellent computer skills, including all Microsoft applications.
  • Strong understanding and experience of donor policy and procedures.
  • Excellent English writing skills are required.
  • Experience in Africa preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

  • Demonstrated problem solving skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in coaching, conducting workshops and community meeting facilitation.
  • Demonstrated skills to successfully communicate and initiate and maintain positive relationships with beneficiary’s community.
  • Leadership skills, and proven experience in developing effective teams
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
  • Strong organizational and managerial skills.
  • Understanding of peace and livelihood development processes.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position will be based in Monrovia, and may require some travel outside the capital. Liberia is recovering from 14 years of war and instability. Security has improved and Mercy Corps staff members travel throughout the country to program sites. Monrovia and towns in outlying areas are generally safe though nighttime travel and activities should be considered carefully as armed robbery incidents are rising. Life in Monrovia is still basic but supermarkets are full of western goods at western prices.

This is an accompanied post, with an American school catering for most grades.

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.

Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE

How to apply:

Apply online at our website:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...

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