Area Project Officer

"ABOUT MERCY CORPS:
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Inclusive Security and Resilient Youth (ISRY)
Mercy Corps will implement a 12 month programme “Inclusive Security and Resilient Youth Project – ISRY,'' which will run from 1 March 2024 until 31 December 2024 a community-based development programme supporting at-risk youth in Jordan between the ages of 16 to 30. ISRY will adopt a positive youth development approach to psychosocial support interventions with the aim of promoting learning; increasing stability through co-existence and inclusive security; and building the psychosocial resiliency of youth and their families. Mercy Corps, will create connections between youth and Public Security actors through engagement in Nature-based activities and community-based activities.

In close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Social Development, the programme will identify three local community-based organizations- CBOs in the north, center, and south of Jordan - to establish Community Action Hubs that provide youth with a safe space to improve social stability and ultimately make youth and their communities more resilient. Additionally, the program will seek to strengthen the CBOs’ Institutional capacities to sustain long-term impact. The project will place additional focus on the national level to strengthen the role of women and youth
representation in the Youth Peace and Security - YPS 2250 - coalition in Jordan, through close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and other stakeholders.
General Position Description:
The Area Project Officer is responsible for overseeing and following up on “Supporting Resilient Communities and Youth in Jordan” Project’s activities at the partner community action hubs (CAHs) according to the budget, scope of work, and work plan. S/he will report to the Area Coordinator and work closely with staff dedicated to the ISRY project and other departments – such as Finance, and M&E, in addition to all community personnel at the partner CAHs. The Project Officer will also spend several days a week in the field supporting the field teams in ensuring that time management
involves developing training material preparing for training and following up on implementation provided to CAHs partners personnel as well as the broader community.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
1. Oversee all operations related to the project implementation at two of the community action hubs (CAHs) and MoY youth centers assigned locations by the Project Management.
2. Prepare and conduct a mapping plan for youth centers and CAHs across Jordan in the assigned locations.
3. Ensure the establishment of safe spaces for youth, facilities, and community members at the CAHs.

4. Coordinate with the technical units at MC and the CAHs to recruit and train the community personnel who will provide psychosocial support and self-expression activities, and social & emotional learning sessions for young adults throughout the implementation phase.
5. Supervise the performance of the youth workers and community personnel at the CAHs, to ensure a high level of quality in implementing the project’s activities.
6. Set with the M&E unit at MC and the CAHs outreach team an outreach plan and criteria, then work with them on recruiting youth and parents, who fit these criteria.
7. Oversee the daily activities provided for youth and parents at the safe spaces and follow up on the schedules and delivery of training plans, social & emotional learning sessions’ activities, and all other activities throughout the youth’s enrollment in the programme, such as the registration and enrollment of youth, outdoor activities, available resources to community activities, and youth-led initiatives and civic engagement activities.
8. Ensure daily monitoring of youth and staff members' attendance and the quality of training courses and activities.
9. Conduct regular check-in visits, and attend random youth and parent activities, to ensure that they are going according to the project’s quality minimum standards, work plan, and scope of work.
10. In cooperation with the CAHs, facilitate joint youth meetings, youth initiatives/projects identification.
11. Support the CAHs in establishing or contributing to the already existing HR, Procurement, SOPs, and financial systems, to build their operational capacities.
12. Oversee the daily activities provided for youth and parents at the safe spaces and follow up on the schedules and delivery of training plans, social & emotional learning sessions’ activities, and all other activities throughout the youth’s enrollment in the programme, such as the registration and enrollment of youth, outdoor activities, available resources to community activities, and youth-led initiatives and civic engagement activities.

13. Work closely with the CAHs to oversee all financial processes and manage the sub-grant budget including (RFP,FA)
14. Review the monthly financial reports, projections, and fund requests of the CAHs before submitting them to the sub-grant team at MC.
15. Conduct weekly regular meetings with the CAH management, to review the progress in the project’s activities, based on the work plan and scope of work, and keep these live documents up to date and discuss any challenges.
16. Support the Project Coordinator and Area Project Assistant in overseeing the project’s activities at the CAH in the assigned location, when needed.
17. Support the Project Admin officer in the areas of Procurement, logistics, Admin, and staff supporting CAHs.
18. Ensure daily monitoring of youth and staff members' attendance and the quality of training courses and activities.
19. In cooperation with the CAHs, facilitate joint youth meetings, youth initiatives\projects identification.

M&E
20. Ensure daily monitoring of youth and staff performance and the quality of training courses and activities.
21. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts by the plan, including monitoring, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
22. Prepare monthly progress reports, including challenges and recommendations.
23. Ensure Quality Management standards are mainstreamed for effective implementation of the project at the CAHs.
24. Ensure direct communication with M&E leads and support the leads in problem-solving related to improved data collection and monitoring with CAHs

25. Follow up on delivering all M&E reports requirements by the CAHs team.

Community Engagement and training
26. Lead participants outreach, training space setup, and co-facilitation with trainers to support the foundation training at CAHs.
27. Co-coordinate with other relevant international and local organizations, local government, and other stakeholders at the location to ensure the project is well advertised and that a network of relevant practitioners in the field is established.
28. Ensure that a community support committee is formed at the CAH level from various community members in close collaboration with CAH leadership.
29. Follow up and report on the CSC activities and meetings regularly and ensure that youth workers and youth participants have representation in this committee.
Others
30. Provide support for organizing visits, meeting, events, trainings and workshops
31. 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.
32. Other duties as assigned.
TECHNICAL SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: CAHs personnel
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Coordinator.
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Area Project Assistant, Project technical units, sub-grants team, operations & procurement team.
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:
▪ College degree in Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field
▪ At least 4 years of related experience performing required tasks, preferably in complex emergency or relief context.
▪ At least 3 years of experience developing youth and adolescent programs in the field of mental health and psychosocial support.
▪ Strong understanding of managing budgets, sub-grant agreements, and procurement processes.
▪ Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
▪ Strong verbal and written communication skills.
▪ Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word.
▪ Knowledge of English is preferable.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
▪ Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values
▪ Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies.
▪ Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision.
▪ Demonstrated organizational skills.
▪ Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.

▪ Security, political, and cultural aware
Competencies:
▪ Action-oriented
▪ Collaboration\teamwork
▪ Conflict management
▪ Communication skills
▪ Problem Solving.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan, and requires spending 3-4 days a week in the field.
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.
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 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. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
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