SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER Education for Peace (Pending funding)

[Ramadi,Iraq ]

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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development
programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced
persons. Mercy Corps Iraq’s goal is to work with civil society, and public and private sector partners to meet
immediate needs and reduce longer-term vulnerabilities of communities within Iraq. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses
on (1) providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations to meet basic needs, maintain
human dignity and facilitate self-empowerment; (2) supporting income-generating opportunities that transition
individuals and households from financial dependency towards financial independence, while facilitating
market-system approaches; (3) working with young females and young males to address their diverse needs,
promoting leadership and linkages with civil society, as well as access to education, psychosocial support,
and economic opportunities; and (4) promoting reconciliation and fostering trust
across community divisions by strengthening conflict management and prevention mechanisms and
enhancing social cohesion.
General Position Summary
Overall Project Objective: The economic and social foundations for peaceful development of
selected communities in Anbar are strengthened
Leveraging its strong relationship with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Directorate of Education
(DoE) in Anbar as well as the Local Peace Committees (LPCs) established under peace education
activities for children and youth in targeted schools in Fallujah, Heet, and Ramadi. Mercy Corps will
also draw from its extensive experience working with local CSOs to provide them peace education
capacity building in targeted districts to implement programming in social facilities (youth and
community centers). In general, Mercy Corps will support programming in areas that have mixed
populations where safe and sustainable return and reintegration is hindered by inter-communal
tensions and lack of governance structures, to maximize program impact.
The physical and conceptual conditions for an increased offer of extracurricular or recreational activities with
peace education elements for children and young people have been created.
The Senior Program Officer will supervise program staff and key stakeholders to ensure high program
performance and quality. The Senior Program Officer will also have representation duties to the relevant
government entities, other implementers, and external stakeholders.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
➢ Supervise the Program Officers in Anbar under Education for Peace program , ensuring all
team members abide by a clearly delineated work plan that guides all team members each
week, under the supervision of the Program Manager.
➢ Regular site visits to areas of implementations to support MC staff and program participants
in program implementations
➢ Work together with relevant stakeholders to facilitate and coordinate the program activities
implementations
➢ Responsible for follow up with related official governorates in Anbar, Directorate of
Education, Provincial council, Mayors ……etc.
➢ Submit monthly and weekly activities progress report of program implementation to Program
Manager
➢ Support the Program Manager in the documentation process for all program activities and
correspondence files
➢ Work closely with Program Manager and MEL team to write the donor report(s)
➢ Maintain control of budget, budget vs. actuals and forecasting as per donor flexibility, in close
partnership with Finance team.
➢ Prepare additional reports/presentations/statistics as needed.
➢ Attend project related meetings and trainings.
➢ Abide by all security protocols.
➢ Disseminate and document success stories of program
➢ Conduct him/herself professionally and in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps
and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
➢ Any other duties as assigned as directed by the Program Manager.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
➢ Coordinate with program, finance, and administration staff to ensure operational systems are
in place to support field activities (including logistics, procurement, security, administration,
and human resources).
➢ Work closely with country-level security focal points to develop and maintain systems that
ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.
➢ Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and
understanding of
➢ security management priorities.
➢ Maintain productive and strong working relationships with all program support functions
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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
projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: 3 – Program Officers under Education for Peace
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Program Manager
Works Directly With: Program support counterparts (program performance and quality, finance,
operations, and human resources teams), program specific staff, operations and technical support unit
team members.

Knowledge and Experience
● Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, international relations, governance, or related field.
● 3 years+ of management experience in comparable positions – preferably as program manager for a
comparable project or a lower-level position on a complex project.
● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor
funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
● Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with GIZ policies, procedures, and approaches with
regards to design, implementation, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.
● Technical experience leading system strengthening and institutionalization activities with
government ministries, county-level organizations and officials and local institutions.
● Strong problem-solving skills and effective listening, negotiation and representation skills and the
ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a sensitive environment.
● Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender and youth issues in
system strengthening and institutionalization programming.
● Strong staff management experience of similar size teams required, and record of strategic
visioning, leadership, and good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
● Fluency in oral/written English is required; Arabic is highly preferred.
● Previous experience in Iraq or the region is strongly preferred.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work
independently and cooperatively with team members.
Living Conditions
The position is based in Ramadi, Iraq with frequent travel to Heat and Faluja . Personnel in
this location are expected to follow all security protocols.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when
deployed in a field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Team members are expected to
conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy
Corps’ policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES:
Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position
descriptions for the vacant positions. S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able
to work in challenging, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must
respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace.
For full position description for the noted posts please visit NCCI website.
ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY December 7th ,2021 at 16:00.
Mercy Corps will review CV’s and applications on a rolling basis (i.e., as applications are
submitted). Potential Candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and
processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. As
soon as qualified candidates are identified the positions will be closed automatically.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for potential interview. Any
documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to
candidates.
Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for the position of Senior Program Officer.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse
backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have
sustained global Impact.
Mercy Corps Iraq offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their
careers. Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women
and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working
arrangements on-site and in the office.