EJO PROJECT ASSISTANT

Position Description

Location: Grand Bassa, Buchanan

Position Status: Full-time/Regular

Salary Level: TBD

Current Team Member: N/A

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

With funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) and in partnership with PLAY International, Mercy Corps leads the field-level implementation of the Ejo 2 Liberia program, targeting Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties for a period of nineteen months. The Ejo 2 program seeks to facilitate access to active and inclusive education for children in Liberia using participatory pedagogical techniques that leverage social-sport programs as a platform. The project’s goal is to promote and maintain access to and retention of children and adolescents in an active and inclusive education program.

The program further aims to strengthen the provision of non-formal education activities to children and young adolescents aged 6-15 through the development of socio-sports activities in non-school settings. The program aims to promote formal education and reduce discrimination in access and work with institutional and community stakeholders to improve the ecosystem for inclusive education through sports.

General Position Summary

The Project Assistant will be based in the Mercy Corp Buchanan Regional Office and will be responsible for conducting community engagement activities (mobilize communities, schools, and CBOs, create awareness for participation), administration related to project activities, ensuring program documentation is properly filed, participants attendance data are entered in ONA/ODK in a timely manner. The project assistant will support the coordination of project implementation activities with other project staff and provide coaching and mentorship of project activities to teachers and animators.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management

Conduct community engagement activities.

• Collect pre-participants’ listings,
• Draft Term of Reference, budgets, agenda for training activities, field visitation
• Create awareness for project activities with stakeholders.
• Mobilize and sensitize the stakeholders on the deployment of project activities in the communities.

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• Work with partner organizations to monitor project activities.

Deployment of activities with children in the community

• File testing/observation forms
• Coach and mentor teachers and animators to track the progress of sessions and unique children’s data.
• Submit field visit reports.
• Support CBOs to develop a monthly work plan and monthly progress reports.
• Provide reports and feedback to the supervisor as required.
• Submit success stories.
• Any other tasks requested by the Ejo Project Coordinator

Strategy & Vision

• 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 countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the CBOs and teachers, deepen understanding of their roles, and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build, and manage collaborative schools, CBOs, government, PTA, CWC, and other stakeholders including children.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

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

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 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.
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and MC’s policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Ejo Project Coordinator

Works Directly With: Program team and other departments

Knowledge and Experience

• Associate degree/ or equivalent in Education, Social Work, or a related field
• Minimum of one year working on a project in a similar capacity in an NGO, or in the private sector ● Demonstrated ability to interact with project partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to use basic Microsoft Office programs (including Microsoft Excel)
• Demonstrated experience being proactive and taking initiative in a work setting. ● Excellent skills in spoken English and written English
• The ability to ride a motorcycle is a plus.

Success Factors

• Analytical
• Excellent organizational skills
• Professional approach
• Mentor and supporter
• A self-motivated, energetic character
• well managed to perform under pressure and have a positive attitude.
• Willing to learn and adapt well to new environments and changes.
• A good team player