Program Officer

Position Title:Program Officer
Position Type:Regular Employment -Full Time
Location:Ramallah Office
Duration:Nine Months
Department:Middle East Children's Institute (MECI) Program

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:-
Mercy Corps (MC) is a non-profit, non-aligned, secular non-governmental (NGO) humanitarian relief and development organization, registered in the United States and Scotland with offices in more than 40 countries around the world, including the West Bank and Gaza, where the organization has been active in implementing relief and development programs for nearly a decade.  Mercy Corps ‘West Bank and Gaza’ has staff based in East Jerusalem and Gaza City offices that implement programs throughout the Palestinian territories.

Mercy Corps (MC) in cooperation with MECI are implementing a Comprehensive After-School Program in four Palestinian Schools. It’s currently operating in the villages of Bani Zaid, at the Beni Zaid Primary Girls’ School, Primary Boys’ School, Qasim Al-Rimawi Upper Girls School, and the Bashir al Barguthy Upper Boys School. Its aim is to improve the overall well-being of Palestinian children (i.e. their psychosocial state and academic performance) affected by the ongoing violence and instability in the occupied Palestinian territory as well as providing employment to villagers who are involved in supplying services to the students. The program has been in operation since February 2007, with Mercy Corps as a partner since February 2009.

The main aim of this program is to utilize an innovative three-pillared approach, which is comprised of children’s education, women’s empowerment and economic development in order to transform the communities in which it operates in the occupied Palestinian territory. Not only does this comprehensive initiative for elementary school children address children’s health issues through a nourishing food program, but it also builds skills through academic tutoring and provides psychosocial support through art therapy (which includes music, fine arts, drama, and athletics). In the two Upper Schools, the program provides academics support, life skills, and extra-curricular activities through a series of clubs. In addition to this, local women are being recruited and employed through a partnership with the local Deir Ghassaneh Women’s Association, therefore stimulating the distressed local economy. The purchase of materials for school snacks from local farmers and suppliers offers further support to the local economy.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:-
The Comprehensive Afterschool Program Officer will help to develop and oversee a dynamic set of afterschool clubs that support the development of the youth’s life skills and sets them up to achieve their future goals.  As a part of this they will also manage external partnerships and performing administrative tasks.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:-
Oversee the counselors working in the Upper Schools to ensure that lesson plans are developed and implemented in line with the schedule. Build the capacity of the counselors to develop detailed plans and monitor their implementation.
In line with the lesson plans, arrange for any external experts or agencies to deliver lessons and oversee the follow up from the external experts. This will include coordinating where possible with Mercy Corps other programs in the West Bank and Gaza to generate ideas and potential areas of overlap.
Identify ways to involve the youth in the design and implementation of the program.
Serve as the primary point of contact for the Upper School Principals and follow on any issues and ensure they are completing their responsibilities.
Inform the Program Manager and follow-up on any issues in the Upper Schools. Track attendance of the counselors.
Arrange and coordinate various kinds of extra-activities including workshops, community-based activities, and open days.
Follow-up with both schools regarding their periodical reports, the coordination process between the morning and evening classes, and the counselors’ schedule.
Maintain contact with parents in the program and conduct home visits, workshops, and other events designed to integrate them in to the program.
Be physically present Sunday through Thursday for no less than 8 hours a day in the schools and the village, to directly follow up with counsellors, families and students.
Attend community service activities on Saturdays at least once every month to ensure the effective implementation of these activities.
In partnership with the Data Quality Assistant, track attendance in the Upper Schools and investigate any large variances.
Evaluate the performance of the counselors on an ongoing basis work with them to improve their performance and knowledge. Alert the Program Manager to any training needs and performance issues.
Track inventory of supplies in all schools and coordinate with Procurement to re-order supplies in a timely manner.
Write weekly updates and monthly progress reports, as requested by the Program Manager.
Provide consultation to the counselors in how to deal with the children.
Assist the Data Quality Assistant in overseeing data collection including pre/posttests, daily attendance, and any other necessary information.
Work with the Psychosocial Program Officer to find ways to integrate the program between the four schools.
Set plans for the summer camps and community service program.
Any other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A
ACCOUNTABILITY:-
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Development and Programs Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Psychosocial Program Officer, Data Quality Assistant, School Principals, supervisors, counselors, students, MC Procurement, and other Mercy Corps program teams.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
University degree (Education, Development, Project Management, or related field preferred)
At least three years of work experience with teaching life skills and/or youth issues
The ability to build the capacity of others through support and necessary guidance
The ability to coordinate with external partners
Solid field monitoring skills
High level of spoken English Required
Solid writing/ reporting skills in English

SUCCESS FACTORS:
Ability to work with others as a team
Communication and coordination skills.
Planning and project management skills.
Initiative, self-reliance, and cooperative.
Good “decision – making” and “problem – solving” skills.
Good time and organizational management skills.
Ability to work under pressure and carry out multiple tasks.
An ability to connect with youth.

Qualified persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a one page cover letter and their CV by e-mail to                  

[email protected]

no later than Saturday, 11 November 2016
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Please indicate in the email subject; MECI Program Officer.
No application will be accepted if the email subject is not mentioned in the email subject line.
Please apply separate application for each position you are interested in.

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