Specialist\rank of the program department (Water direction) in Mercy Corps

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.

 The Program Summary

Mercy Corps' Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of people affected by the war in Ukraine. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 750,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. We have provided cash assistance, in-kind humanitarian assistance, and psychosocial support for people in emergency situations; grants for micro, small and medium businesses, as well as small to medium farming enterprises; and conducted large-scale information campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with local and national civil society organizations matching humanitarian action and resilience programing with capacity strengthening and a real commitment to localization.

In order to strengthen the current response, Mercy Corps aims to address energy and water shortages, creating significant challenges for households, communities, small and medium enterprises and farmers, making it difficult for them to thrive. Our aim is to meet immediate needs while ensuring that households, businesses and communities become more resilient in the longer term. Therefore, Mercy Corps is launching support to community-driven projects that will improve access to water and reliable energy sources in war-affected areas.

The Position

Under the direct supervision of Project Manager (Water), the Program Officer is responsible for supporting implementation of community-driven projects that will improve access to water and reliable energy sources in war-affected areas. S/he will work with the community leadership (hromada); local initiative groups/ user groups/local activists/local NGOs, as well as private service providers and infrastructure enterprises to ensure the interests of communities are adequately represented and the projects have community ownership. The Program Officer will be responsible for overseeing the management of contractual documentation, and review and support the development of communities’ plans and budgets for water and energy projects and related documentation. S/he at the same time should promote Mercy Corps values through various entry points in the project and preserve staff moral and enthusiasm for the project work.

Essential Responsibilities

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Actively learns about 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.

PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

• Participate in field assessment visits to communities.
• Assist in evaluation of submitted plans for viability, feasibility, and alignment with program objectives.
• Develop and maintain a database of water and energy projects, tracking implementation status and payments made.
• Assist in monitoring allocations and expenditure of financial assistance provided under the program.
• Support partners in the implementation of their project.
• Monitor progress of partner project implementation, monitor partner financial expenditure in line with the approved budget, review partner reports and prepare payment
• Identify discrepancies or irregularities and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
• Closely cooperate with the local partner(s) to ensure timely implementation of the water and energy projects.
• Contribute to program monitoring and evaluation efforts by providing relevant data.

DOCUMENTATION

• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation, review, and execution of contractual and partner documentation related to the program.
• Collaborate with program team members and partner(s) to facilitate the smooth implementation of program activities, especially around collection of required documentation, signing of agreements, preparing payments, and reporting.
• Review supporting documentation submitted along with the communities’ implementation plans, such as financial statements, water/energy sector analyses, and feasibility studies.
• Verify the accuracy and completeness of documentation to support decision-making processes.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Maintain a systematic record-keeping system for all contractual documents and associated correspondence.
• Document findings and recommendations for further action or approval.

 Supervisory Responsibility N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager (Water)

Works Directly With: Water and Energy Program Team, Program Performance and Quality Team, Finance Team, Operations Team and Security Team, UASP 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.

 Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• University degree in economics, finance, law and/or other related field;
• At least 3 years of overall working experience. Experience of working with an international humanitarian/development organization is an asset;
• Good communication, presentation and reporting skills;
• Proven experience in contract management, budget oversight and management, and business/financial plan evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex financial and business documents.
• Familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Good verbal and written Ukrainian and English is required.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, HAP is an asset.

Success Factors

The successful Program Officer will have meticulous attention to detail, robust analytical skills, effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders. Strong multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary. A demonstrated ability to work quickly, accurately, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. Ability to coordinate with different members/levels of a team. Ability to travel within Ukraine, if security permits, and work with teams remotely.

 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 peopleof 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 based on 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 and have signed on to the Interagency 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.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.  

People with disabilities and veteran status are welcome to apply.