Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To create a better world, 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.
Mercy Corps began work in Niger in 2005 in response to the severe food crisis at that time.
Our programming has since expanded to include a focus on early recovery, food security, resilient
livelihoods, peace and good governance, financial inclusion, and youth economic opportunity, along with continued humanitarian response. Drawing on a skilled team of more than 135 colleagues, Mercy Corps has assisted more than one million vulnerable Nigeriens as well as Malian and Nigerian refugees over the years. We currently work in the regions of Niamey, Tahoua, Tillaberi, and Maradi, and implement cross-border programming with Mali and Burkina Faso.
Mercy Corps is seeking a qualified Graduation Lead for an anticipated, five-year USAID Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Niger. The Activity will contribute to food and nutrition security for households and communities in vulnerable areas of Niger.
● Lead the design, planning and implementation of the Graduation Approach tailored to the Activity goals and objectives, and facilitate adaptations based on new evidence and learning.
● Coordinate closely, work with, and support Activity leadership and consortium partners to promote effective integration of the Graduation Approach across program components, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and priorities.
● Work closely with Mercy Corps and partner staff to ensure inclusive targeting for Graduation Approach activities, with a particular focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups.
● Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to integrate Graduation considerations in data collection and analysis tools.
● Contribute to any program-related research to ensure that relevant Graduation aspects are incorporated.
● Conduct periodic monitoring of field activities; ensure quality of Graduation Approach interventions; and provide ongoing coaching and mentoring to staff.
● Document processes and achievements to ensure impact and best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting adjustments based on new insight and learning.
● Develop targeted Graduation capacity strengthening interventions for Activity and partner staff.
● Oversee the development of implementation work plans, ensuring timely delivery of Graduation Approach milestones and outputs.
● Support budget management and forecasting related to Graduation Approach activities, ensuring resources are utilized effectively.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
● Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders, which may include consortium partners, donor representatives, and local government officials.
● Develop relationships and linkages with organizations implementing other donor-funded programs focused on Graduation in Niger.
● Conduct regular community consultations to ensure programming remains responsive to the context.
● Collect and share lessons learned and best practices from Mercy Corps’ experience implementing the Graduation Approach, both internally and externally.
● Represent the program at local, national, and international forums related to livelihoods and resilience programming, contributing to the program’s thought leadership in the Graduation Approach.
● Work closely with the Country Team security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
● Ensure that activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
Supervisory Responsibility
Expected to supervise a team of technical staff. The number of direct and indirect reports will be determined at a later stage.