Vacancy Announcement

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. Mercy Corps has been working in Liberia since 2002.

Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Liberian candidates for the following position(s):

1. Agriculture Officer – 01 position, based in Rivercess County.

Please find below the full position description for this position.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

How to apply?

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their detailed CV with a cover letter along with other relevant certificates to the email address lr-jobs@mercycorps.org . You are requested to mention the title of the position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying.

Hard copies of the CV with cover letter along with all relevant certificates can be dropped at Mercy Corps’ Office located at “Tubman Boulevard Sophie Junction Opposite SOS Clinic, Monrovia”. Label the left corner of the envelop with the title of the position for which you are applying.

COVID-19 Vaccine

In compliance with Government’s regulation, Mercy Corps-Liberia request all its interested candidates to provide his/her COVID-19 vaccine certificate along with their applications. This is paramount to our application requirement.

Last date for the submission of CV’s is May 25, 2022, by 04:00 pm. Mercy Corps reserves the right to accept or reject any or all CV(s) without assigning any reason. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

“The recruitment processes will be ongoing while receiving applications”.

FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

AGRICULTURE Officer

Position Description

Location: River Cess

Position Status Full-time, Regular

Salary Level Grade 5

Current Team Member: No

About Mercy Corps

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. Mercy Corps has been working in Liberia since 2002.

Program / Department Summary

Save the Children (Prime) and Mercy Corps (sub-grantee) are implementing the Liberia Empowerment through Attendance, Reading, and Nutrition (LEARN 2) program 2. This is a five- year program, funded by the United States Department for Agriculture’s (USDA) Food for Education (FFE) program. The goals of this program are to increase the literacy of school age children and increase the use of health and dietary practices. The LEARN program will be implemented by Save the Children in Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties while Mercy Corps will implement the program in Grand Bassa and River Cess counties.

General Position Summary

Agriculture officer supports agriculture specialists to ensure timely implementation of school gardens and lead activities in River Cess.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

1. Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
2. Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.

Program Management

1. Work closely with Agriculture specialists to develop strategies / plans on conducting dialogue on rural agriculture development, natural resource management and agricultural policies, while maintaining a strong sense of realism about in-country conditions and competing demands for resources.
2. Able to communicate technical points in simple way to ensure school gardens are established timely as per annual plans,
3. Liaise with authorities at county level including MoE, MoA, and FAO
4. Visit schools in River Cess to gain understanding of current school garden status and issues
5. Support Agriculture specialist to collect and review available documents (studies, training manuals, policies, etc.) on school gardens
6. Agriculture specialist to develop implementation strategy for agriculture component of the project
7. Organize trainings/ sessions on school garden for staff and community including PTAs and FMCs,
8. Work closely with stakeholders to ensure timely advice and guidance on all matters related to agricultural productivity so that the school gardens are developed and implemented according to the needs of the communities
9. Provide management and project oversight during implementation of school gardens to ensure the work is progressing within the schedule and towards the targets
10. Assist the teams’ members with the management, oversight, coordination, and monitoring of all the school garden operation and implementation of activities.
11. Educate farmers and community members on understanding and complying with environmental pollution-control laws and regulations.
12. Doing paperwork and analyzing data for reporting.
13. Communicate on the phone and in meeting with clients, government departments, and the public
14. Other work as may be assigned by the supervisor or program Manager

Team Management

1. Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
2. Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
3. Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Child Safeguarding Policies and Practices

1. Liaise and work with community groups and the schools to ensure accountability and best use of project resources.
2. Comply with the requirements of Mercy Corps Protection Policy to ensure maximum protection for children,
3. Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
4. Roll out Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Procedures to stakeholders and beneficiaries during training and meetings.
5. Comply with the requirements of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy and Procedures to ensure maximum safety and protection for children during program work and other related actions in communities.
6. Report all incidents or breach of CSG policy and monthly updates.

Finance & Compliance Management

1. Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to financial transactions and programming.

Influence & Representation

1. Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, Program contractors, donors, local governments and other stakeholders of the LEARN Program.
2. Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

1. Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
2. Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Organizational Learning

1. 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

1. Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.
2. 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.

Supervisory Responsibility: No

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Agriculture specialist (dotted line to Program Manager)

Works Directly With: ESHN Mobilizers, Lead Mobilizers, Project Coordinator, MEAL officer and Assistants, PTAs, FMCs, Partner Staff (LEARN SBC for Education Advisor, SHN Advisors, and others), Admin/Finance, HR, operations and security,

Knowledge and Experience

1. A degree in soil/earth sciences, Agronomy, Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop/plant science or Environmental science and animal science is normally the minimum academic requirement for entry into the profession.
2. Minimum of 3 years of full-time relevant work experience in or more of the following areas: Agricultural policy, land administration or forestry.
3. A mix of work experience in both the public and private sectors would be an advantage.
4. Proficiency in Word and Excel.
5. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Written and verbal fluency in English.

Success Factors

The Agriculture officer should pay attention to details, have the ability to work in a diverse team, be approachable, supportive, willing to learn and apply new ideas, have time management skills, be able to multitask, set priorities, and be willing to travel to and work in remote areas.