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 began programming in Sudan in 1985 and has been operating in states of what is now South Sudan since 2005 operations have continued since the independence of South Sudan in 2011. We have been working to meet peoples immediate needs and with communities to build local capacity and promote economic development especially with the eruption of violence in December 2013. Mercy Corps South Sudans priority areas are food security and livelihoods focusing on cash assistance market based solutions in agriculture and economic development WASH Education youth development and conflict resolution. Mercy Corps has been implementing projects which combine agricultural economic development WASH Education and other humanitarian interventions to tackle the convulsive crises affecting vulnerable communities. Mercy Corps has worked to build relationships with local government and other actors which has enhanced our understanding of local contexts and the multiple stakeholders involved.

General Position Summary

This position will be primarily responsible for identifying new funding opportunities donor pre positioning and leading new business development including leading design and lead writing concept notes and proposals. To successfully perform these responsibilities the successful candidate will act as a key liaison point for networking with donor and potential partners in South Sudan. The Grants and Reporting Officer will be the main focal point for all Mercy Corps program reports including reports submitted directly to donors reports submitted by Mercy Corps headquarters and cluster and other external reporting. S he will be the focal point for coordinating the development of concept notes and proposals ensuring that necessary internal approvals are granted and the budget and narrative requirements are met. The Grants and Reporting Officer will also lead in summarizing the compliance requirements of grants issued under each donor and communicating these requirements to the program teams.

The Grants and Reporting Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Program Director. S he will work closely with the MEL Manager Head of Office s Program Project Managers Finance Operations Security and all other field departments in coordinating all grant applications and related responsibilities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

REPORTING GRANTS< h5>

Work closely with Regional program teams in MC Support offices in Portland and Edinburgh to keep donor grant and information tracking GAIT databases up to date with most current proposals concept notes partnership agreements and reports

Responsible for coordination tracking and development of all donor and other stakeholder reports ensuring they are of a high quality and submitted on schedule.

Lead on the production of internal reports including sitreps 3Is and Round The World ensuring timely inputs from program finance and operations teams and ensure review and signoff processes are thorough and adhered to.

Lead on the production of program fact sheets success stories and lesson learn write ups for donor and MC publications.

Act as the primary focal point with the desk teams in Portland and Edinburgh in response to donor priorities and adhere to specific requirements and deadlines.

Lead on capacity building on report writing and information management for program staff.

Provide draft answers upon request to donor questions and inquiries while ensuring compliance with donor regulations.

Liaise with sub grant focal point to ensure reporting standards are upheld by partners.

Represent Mercy Corps South Sudan in cultivating relationships with key donor and partner organizations

Represent Mercy Corps in inter agency cluster and other coordination meetings as assigned by the Program Director.

Business DEVELOPMENT< h5>

Identify opportunities for strategic growth and portfolio expansion through new business development

Lead on the development of concept notes and funding proposals including budgets coordinating the process with all departments of the program team

Ensure proposals and concept notes are developed in a timely manner and with realistic deadlines and that these are communicated and understood by stakeholders both internal to the South Sudan team as well as the region and HQ.

Ensure proposals are developed in coordination and consultation with program technical managers finance and operations teams including logistics and that necessary support is adequately budgeted.

PROGRAMME QUALITY< h5>

Support the Program Director with compliance to Programme Management at Mercy Corps PM MC minimum standards for program management.

Work closely with the M E Manager and program teams on program monitoring progress and quality to support ongoing reporting proposals and other operational management tools.

Ensure that program documentation meets PM MC standards and folders are populated and archived accordingly.

Support coordination and document all Program Kick off and Close out meetings track action points for follow up and record document all lessons learned.

Develop a thorough understanding of relevant MC internal and donor policies regulations and procedures and train team accordingly

Work closely with finance and operations to develop grants compliance checklists and share with program staff for implementation

STRATEGY AND VISION< h5>

Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed

Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country wide strategy development.

Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Organizational Learning< h5>

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< h5>

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 Director

Works Directly With Program teams Finance Department Operations Head of Office s Security

Knowledge and Experience

· Bachelor degree or equivalent in related field. Post Graduate degree preferred.

· 1 2 years of experience related to humanitarian and or developmental work

· Strong proposal and report writing and analytical skills and ability to edit with a critical eye to detail

· Ability to deliver to deadline under pressure

· Ability and willingness to learn and follow donor reporting and compliance requirements.

· Ability to coordinate funding proposals and progress reports from key institutional donors USAID DFID ECHO EC .

· Experience working in a multi cultural setting

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate clearly to diverse groups

· Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving

· Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

· Demonstrated ability to support in the development of proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission.

· Demonstrated understanding of complex humanitarian and transitional contexts specific contextual knowledge of Nigeria preferred.

· Excellent verbal and written communication organizational and prioritization skills and the ability to multi task and support and or fill multiple positions at one time.

· Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow procedures meet deadlines and work both independently and cooperatively with team members.

· Fluency in spoken and written English required.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have an ability to work independently take initiative in tasks and self learning and be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships. S he will be able to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with demonstrated sensitivity to the people and issues in the country. Strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedure. Capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to design impactful high quality programs. Desire and ability to learn and grown both personally and professionally.

Living Conditions Environmental Conditions

The position is based in the capital city Juba. The location is unaccompanied and insecure given the nature of the ongoing conflict and economic collapse. Although infrastructure within Juba is acceptable the conditions in most field sites are very basic with the most rudimentary requiring tented compounds. Medical facilities are basic and tropical diseases including malaria are endemic. Housing for all staff in Juba is good with each expatriate staff assigned with a self contained apartment and currently rented in a larger block that also houses other agencies and some embassy personnel. The block is in a very secure area. Security situation has substantially improved in Juba and generally speaking the super markets are well stocked and fresh vegetables and meat are in good supply. Although limited there is freedom of movement beyond the house office provided security precautions are adhered to and curfew is followed in the evenings.

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 MCs policies procedures and values at all times and in all in country venues.

The location is eligible for hardship and R R benefits. Given the nature of the response working hours require flexibility and working through weekends evenings might be necessary.< div>< div>< div>< div>