Globally, Mercy Corps’ mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. This occurs when public, private and civil society actors interact with accountability, inclusive participation and mechanisms for peaceful change. Our global strategy 1) takes an integrated, systems approach, 2) works in partnership with diverse actors, 3) is grounded in evidence and learning, and 4) uses a gender lens. Last year, we improved the lives of 19 million people globally. Mercy Corps manages programs in 43 countries. Working in Nigeria since 2012, Mercy Corps works across 11 states with a focus on the Middle Belt and Northern states through partnerships with USAID, DfID, GHR Foundation, Nike Foundation, MasterCard, and the Foundation for Partnerships in the Niger Delta (PIND). Mercy Corps links peace-building with economic development, focusing on vulnerable populations such as adolescent girls.

In December 2013, Mercy Corps will launch a new initiative titled the Accelerating Savings and Strengthening Entrepreneurship through Training and Skill-building (ASSETS). The ASSETS Project Assistant will support the implementation of an 18-month program focused on older, adolescent girls in Nigeria. ASSETS will strengthen girls’ access to and ability to manage economic assets through Savings Groups and create links to formal financial institutions. ASSETS will also strengthen targeted girls’ employability and entrepreneurship skills and facilitate access to internships, apprenticeships and direct employment.

Mercy Corps is seeking to fill the position of:

Job Title: Project Assistant
Accelerating Savings and Strengthening Entrepreneurship through Training and Skill-building (ASSETS)
Primary Location: Abuja, Nigeria, with an estimated 50-60% travel to project locations in Nigeria
Position Status:
Position Level: Field-based, full-time, regular, exempt
Level X
Current Employee: N/A

General Position Summary:
The Project Assistant will support the implementation of activities for ASSETS. This position will ensure ASSETS implementation is responsive to marginalized Nigerian girls.

Essential Job Functions:

• Program Support
• Support technical aspects of school to work programming for ENGINE including linking girls to savings groups, providing support to girls regarding their future career aspirations, and helping girls to access apprenticeships, employment and internships.
• Ensure implementation of activities is on time, target and budget.
• Coordinate links with existing and planned donor interventions that target adolescent girls to identify girls on an on-going basis to participate in ASSETS activities.
• Advocate for the inclusion of marginalized girls and for girls to be active in non-traditional sectors at the household and community level and within Nigerian vocational and skills-based education.
• Support girls as they develop skills and knowledge under the ASSETS curriculum.
• In collaboration with MandE staff, implement relevant surveys, need assessments, data and information collection for on-going monitoring.
• Coordinate closely with other ASSETS personnel to ensure all objectives of the proposal and activities are met.

Representation

• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Participate in education coordination meetings as requested by the ASSETS Program Coordinator.

Supervisory Responsibility: N/A

Accountability
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Coordinator, ASSETS
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Other Mercy Corps technical and program staff and Mercy Corps’ implementation partners.

Knowledge and Experience:

• BA/S or equivalent in education, management, social sciences, international development or other relevant field. MA preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in education, gender- focused, skills building program.
• Experience managing large-scale secondary education or school to work and especially targeting marginalized girls or young women programs preferred.
• Experience working in a multi-organizational team (international and national partners) is a plus.
• Experience with private-sector led initiatives and DfID strongly preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing. Hausa language skills preferred
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Experience working with country-level ministries and government officials, Ministry of Education experience preferred.

Success Factors:
The successful Advisor will combine exceptional management skills and technical skills with a focus on innovative interventions to engage adolescent girls in increasing their savings and engaging with private sector entrepreneurship and employment opportunities in a culturally and religiously conservative environment. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative and complex programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. 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 in all situations.

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:
This position will be based in Abuja with an estimated travel of up to 50-60% to program locations, where security may be particularly difficult at times. Security in Abuja is generally good, although petty crime is a problem. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport.

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.


Mode of Application:
Please submit CV and cover letter addressing the key criteria above, to: mercycorpshr@gmail.com with mail subject ASSETS Project Assistant by 21st January, 2014. Recruitment will be ongoing and may conclude prior to this date.

Application Deadline: 21st January 2014