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 SummaryMercy Corps is embarking on the Preparedness, Resilience and Impact for those Most Excluded (PRIME) in the Caribbean Resilience Initiative (CRI). As part of the project, Mercy Corps is developing four Resilience Hubs (RHs), one each in Jamaica, US Virgin Islands, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia over the coming four years. RHs serve vulnerable and remote communities where basic health services are often limited. During a disaster, RHs function as shelters, resource distribution centers, and even command centers, empowering communities to sustain their well-being. Hub components will likely include solar energy, refrigeration, potable water, connectivity, and on-site food gardens to provide life-saving resources for people with chronic medical conditions, the elderly, and people with disabilities. These existing community centers already serve as key gathering points, aid distribution sites, and places for community events. With our support, they will be able to do even more to support families in need, providing access to basic services and building resilience. The Operations Department provides key support to the entire CRI project in procurement, operations, asset management, warehouse management, and security management for successful program implementation. General Position SummaryThe Operations/Procurement Officer is part of the Operations Department and is responsible for the performance of the procurement and operational aspects of Mercy Corps’ logistic operation and working closely with Program, Administration, Finance and Logistics. The Operations Officer is instrumental in supporting program activities through their services. Essential Job Responsibilities PROCUREMENT SUPPORT• Coordinate the day-to-day procurement activities in accordance with Field Procurement Policies and Procedures, SOPs, and donor rules & regulations.• . Liaise with contractors as needed in fulfillment of procurement activities • Maintain a full understanding of MC procurement policies and Procedures and SOPs and assist, as needed, in training staff on these policies.• Assist Program and operational personnel in regular procurement planning meetings.• Assists staff as needed in creating clear and understandable purchase requests and other documentation for procurement activities• Collect quotations and bids from the market for PRs as assigned by a manager – as per Mercy Corps standards and formats.• Prepare the required documentation of supplies and transactions, ensuring compliance to Mercy Corps standards. • Ensure the maintenance of thorough procurement files as outlined in the Field Procurement Policies and Procedures. • Provide support and inputs for the preparation of status reports on procurement commitments• Ensure the ethical and legal conduct of procurement activities in alignment with Mercy Corps' standards. OPERATIONS SUPPORT• Collaborate closely with program teams to ensure seamless support from the Operations department• Assist in purchasing items required for office operation • Document all Logistics procedures and keep file copies of all documentation.• Support Fleet management and reporting.• Support Warehouse management and reporting.• Support Assets and Inventory management and reporting.• Support admin, facilities management and facility contracts for Mercy Corps offices, guesthouses and warehouses.• Assist in operation utility bills like water and power bills.• Coordinate the travels for national and international Mercy Corps or official visitors as per the movement plans• Manage the transportation of goods/supplies in Mercy Corps operational areas and to beneficiaries.• Ensure that commodities stored in the warehouse/storage are safe and in good condition.• Support process for receipt and assignment of assets and their supporting documentation• Support physical verification of assets (i.e. fiscal year end, grants end and random verifications) in coordination with Heads of Operations and Finance• Support disposal of the assets as assigned by the Head of Operations. Supervisory ResponsibilityNone Accountability Reports Directly To: Operations Manager Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy 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 • Bachelor's degree and/or 2-3 years of experience in supporting large scale procurement.• Strong organizational skills.• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel. • Excellent oral and written English skills. • High computer skills on MS Office programs, especially in MS Excel. • Strong organizational skills.• A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities. • A clear understanding of procurement ethics and donor compliance is essential. Success Factors The successful Operations Officer will coordinate procurement tasks to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThe position is remote and candidates must be based in either Jamaica, St. Lucia, or St. Kitts & Nevis. All MC employees are expected to work a five-day work week. This position requires 40% of travel by road, sea and air to field program locations. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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 Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Ongoing LearningIn 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 & InclusionAchieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of 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 OpportunityMercy 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 on the basis of 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 & EthicsMercy 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 a safeguarding measure, Mercy Corps screens all potential US-Based employees. This is done following the conclusion of recruitment and prior to assuming full employment. Our screening process is designed to be transparent and completed in partnership with new Team Members. You will have the opportunity to disclose any prior convictions at the conclusion of the recruitment process before the check is initiated. We ask that you do not disclose any prior convictions in your application materials or during the recruitment process.
Covid-19 Vaccine Policy for US-Based Employees
Mercy Corps has determined that, in an effort to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all Mercy Corps employees working in the United States, all U.S.-based employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of prior COVID-19 infection status. This policy is necessary to ensure not only the safety of our workforce, but the ongoing functionality of the organization.
This policy will be revised as needed to comply with federal, state, and local requirements, and to respond to changing guidance from public health authorities.
For new employees this requirement goes into effect within 10 business days of employment. Team members that travel are expected to comply with host-country requirements, including vaccinations. Failure to comply may impact your employment. Proof of vaccination or exemption must be provided.