mercycorps.org
Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate
suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in
more than 40 countries, and has been working in Liberia since 2002.
Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Liberian candidates for the following
position(s):
1. Sports For Youth Employment Officer – 01 position, based in Monrovia, Montserrado County with frequent travel
to field locations
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 or apply through the system below. 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.
Last date for the submission of CV’s is October 25, 2019 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.
Vacancy Announcement
SPORTS FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT OFFICER
Position Description
Location Monrovia, Liberia
Position Status Full-time
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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps started operations in Liberia in 2002 in response to the humanitarian crisis brought on by the two
Liberian civil wars which took place from 1989-1997and 1999-2003. Since then, Mercy Corps’ interventions
have evolved based on the context and needs of Liberian people. Based on the changing needs, Mercy Corps
Liberia has implemented programs in renewable energy, food security, agricultural livelihoods, financial
inclusion, nutrition, water and sanitation, infrastructure, and in youth economic empowerment.
General Position Summary
Reporting to the Life Skills & Sports Development Coordinator, the Sports for Youth empowerment Officer will
play an important technical and strategic leadership role, supporting delivery of the AFD-funded Liberia
Employment and Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) (2019-2023) including planning, organizing, leading, and
controlling program activities. LEEP is a three-year program to bolster employment and entrepreneurship
potential of at-risk youth, engage public and private sector stakeholders in youth opportunities and build microand small and medium enterprise (MSME) capacity to contribute to economic growth and social development
in Liberia. The Sports for Youth empowerment Officer will particularly be involved in the implementation of
LEEP’s Sports for Youth Empowerment (SPYE) component. The post-holder will work closely with the
PROSPECTS Program team and the field team (currently three field offices) for the implementation of the
LEEP program.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
 Lead the implementation of LEEP’s Sports for Youth Empowerment (SPYE) component to empower
young Liberians acquire life and employability skills through Sports.
 Engage stakeholders such as Ministry of Youth and Sports, sports associations and youth groups, to
select sports clubs/teams and coaches in Monrovia, Margibi and Grand Bassa counties to participate
in LEEP’s Sports for Youth Empowerment (SPYE) program.
 Conduct relevant assessments to determine appropriate sports for attracting typically marginalized
groups (such as girls, disabled youth etc.) and develop and implement strategies that encourage mixed
sports teams to recruit more marginalized youth (such as girls, disabled youth) into their clubs.
 Develop training programs for selected sports coaches in sports based methodologies which will help
them to empower youths to develop life skills related to employment and self-employment, conflict
management, coping and healthy behaviors. This include mentorship for coaches throughout the year,
provision of refresher courses as needed, and organization of experience-sharing meetings between
the coaches.
 Implement detailed sports-based life skills modules among selected teams, including monitoring the
performance of coaches, graduation rates and knowledge retained by participants.
 Strengthen the capacity of selected sports clubs in Liberia through linkages with sports clubs in other
counties and countries. This includes the provision of sports kits, linkages with established sports
institutions in other countries and sports events.
 Work closely and oversee partners, including private sector actors, government agencies, universities,
and research entities.
 Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach
objectives.
 Perform other tasks, as required by the supervisor.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
 Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments
and other stakeholders.
 Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in
community activities as appropriate.
PROGRAM MONITORING AND EVALUATION
 Conduct frequent field visits to project sites to assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources
 Advise on and assist with project reviews conducted by the M&E Unit.
 Ensure authentic data is provided by field teams for project progress updates
OTHER
 Conduct him/herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps
and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
 Other duties as assigned.
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 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.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports Directly to the Life Skills & Sports Development Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program teams, finance and operational staff.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
 At least a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences – Psychology, Sociology, Community Services or
related field preferred. Possession of a sport related qualification including national coaching/sports
qualifications
 Specific experience working with marginalized groups in skills development programs is an added
advantage
 At least 2 years’ experience in sports education/development is required.
 Demonstrated experience in development and facilitation of life skills workshops and group
work/activities
 Demonstrated teaching and leadership skills
 Initiative, team-work, self-motivation
 Skills in planning and organization
 Fluency in written and oral English is required.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The ideal candidate would need to have an interest and ability in sport, excellent written and verbal
communication skills, good organizational skills, be good team player, have creativity in implementing
strategies and plans and motivational skills to encourage others.