Capacity Building Advisor - Middle East

Title: Capacity Building Advisor - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218585-927

Job Location: Amman, ‘Ammān (Al ‘A̅ şimah), Jordan

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Capacity Building Advisor (CBA) under the supervision of an OFDA Program Manager, will be responsible for designing the capacity building program for Mercy Corps partners and local NGOs under an OFDA-funded project for the Middle East. S/he will work on implementation strategy, designing and delivering trainings and workshops, providing technical oversight to the related activities, advising on related intervention programs development and may be requested to develop capacity building program for national staff.

This position will include designing assessments and surveys, developing training curriculums, and delivering trainings for Mercy Corps team members, community representatives and project stakeholders. The CBA will provide day-to-day technical support to the project Program Manager, but also will work closely with the Program Director, to extend support in programs design. The Advisor will have strong technical and communication skills and will be able to mentor field teams. S/he will be effective team player, able to work with diversified team in challenging environment. S/he will be representing the agency before the donor and community stakeholders. Through innovation, program development and displaying expertise in emergency humanitarian programming, the Capacity Building Advisor will be an active contributor to the achievements of the agency goals.

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The aim of the nine-month OFDA-funded program is to provide assistance to 20,000 households, principally through partnerships with local relief committees, and technical MC field teams. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assess needs, design interventions and build capacity of Mercy Corps partners.
• Develop and coordinate the implementation of a capacity building program for selected associations.
• Lead the Mercy Corps team in identifying additional opportunities for medium- and long-term programming.
• Participate in overall strategic planning; ensure linkages into programming.
• Assist with new proposal and concept paper development to expand programming efforts.

Program

• Work with OFDA Program Manager and field-based team to develop a detailed, achievable and realistic plan for capacity building component. 
• Following the capacity building plan, design and deliver workshop for Mercy Corps partners and organize refresher and/or follow up sessions.
• Develop monitoring systems and provide regular reports on program activities for donors as well as for internal learning and appropriate program adjustments due to new opportunities/challenges.
• Assist with development, design, and fundraising for related programming as needed.
• Assess the needs and assist with development capacity building program for national staff, as required.
• Ensure continuous monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on organizational capacity development, and the impact of the overall program.
• Present monitoring and evaluation data in a final project report.

Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Work closely with M&E unit on establishing and maintaining effective activities reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the program and M&E staff.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactive ensure team members operate in secure in environment and aware of policies.

Representation:

• Maintain internal and external relationships to ensure program success including contacts with international and local NGOs working in the emergency sector, beneficiaries and the general public.
• Attend sector specific coordination meetings

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 projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field-based logistics and finance teams, HQ-based Program Operations, Finance, and TSU staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA in relevant field; Master’s preferred.
• Preferably at least 3 years’ INGO field experience, working with local groups: NGOs, CBOs, Associations, preferably in Middle East or conflict settings/manmade disasters.
• Experience in delivering trainings to staff or partners.
• Familiarity with SPHERE standards and principles of humanitarian aid delivery
• Documented experience in the following domains:
  • Working with civil society groups (especially community-based organizations, relief groups and associations) to assess and reinforce organizational, financial, and project management capacity through participatory assessments and training.
  • Developing and conducting culturally appropriate awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns, facilitating collaboration and collective organization of civil society groups and conducing leadership training for local civil society.
  • Participatory community development.
  • Experience working with local authorities a plus.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.
• Fluency in English essential; Arabic a plus.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with host country governments, NGOs, and CBO representatives. S/he will have effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary and demonstrated attention to detail, an ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members. An interest and ability to travel and work independently in very remote environments as well as an awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles are all critical. In addition, s/he will have a commitment to working with community members to make concrete improvements to their livelihoods and living conditions with an even temperament and a good sense of humor. Patience and excellent diplomatic skills are critical!

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This unaccompanied position will be based in the Middle East with travel.  This position will be required to reside in group housing. The successful candidate must be able to work in an environment with power, water, transportation and communication challenges and must follow all security protocols at all times.

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.

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