About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.

In a 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 works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities 

Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work 

Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced persons. Mercy Corps Iraq's current goal is to work with new and existing civil society, Government of Iraq, public and private sector partners to meet immediate and long-term needs by strengthening communities’ ability to rebuild contributing to durable solutions and sustainable development of Iraq as independent and democratic country. 

Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on sustainable development and durable solutions by designing and implementing projects within Education, Social Cohesion, Livelihoods and Humanitarian sectors. 

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Education program is a three-year program that operates within pockets of vulnerability in Salah Al-Din, Anbar, Kirkuk, and Ninewa governorates.

The program aims to enable IDP, returnee, and vulnerable host community out-of-school youth to re-enter education through the Ministry of Education programs. This is achieved through direct assistance offered to out-of-school youth and advocacy and media campaigns designed to improve access to education.

The main objectives of the program are:

• Access to and quality of formal education is improved.
• Learning environments are safer and more inclusive.
• Children and youth have increased capacity and opportunity for engagement in education and community

General Position Summary

The Psychosocial and Protection Officer works closely with the Program team and Program Manager on adding tools to develop Psychosocial Support (PSS) and protection, review, develop the program training manuals and materials to make sure it's compatible to other Education Consortium Iraq (ECI) partners and MC PSS approach, and provide Psychosocial and Protection advice and training to MoE staff and program to enable out-of-school IDP and vulnerable host community youth to access education through direct assistance. Such assistance is provided through psychosocial and administrative support, social mediation support, access to the Ministry of Education accelerated learning primary education programs, access to preparatory courses with quality secondary education curriculum, and awareness sessions. Direct assistance is delivered in coordination with parents, school administrators, and officials from the Ministry of Education. Also, the Psychosocial and Protection Officer will work will the program team in enhancing the system of case files for the program participants and prepare the reports with analysis of the databases for the program.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• The Psychosocial and Protection Officer (PPO) develops the PSS and protection system by a virtue of adding tools to it.
• PPO reviews and develops the program training manuals and materials ensuring their compatibility with approaches of ECI partners and MC PSS, and participates in provision of PSS and protection training to the program team and the MoE staff within Mercy Corps workshops.
• The Psychosocial and Protection Officer works will the program team to enhance the system of case files (PSS and Protection parts) for the program participants and prepare the reports with analysis of the databases for the program.
• PPO enters the necessary data using the suitable tables, conduct data analysis and fix mistakes in coordination with the team.
• PPO participates in the advocacy campaigns as a supportive factor and in the meeting and training events of the CEAGs, to follow up the documentation process related to protection.
• PPO submits weekly progress reports to program manager related the psychosocial and protection, and work closely with them on semi-monthly and achievements reports.
• PPO prepares additional reports, presentations, and statistics as needed.
• PPO attends meetings with project and program stakeholders
• PPO works closely with the M&E team to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation process is in place to keep track of program outputs as well as evaluating outcomes.
• PPO abides and follows all security and operation protocols put forward by MC Iraq.
• PPO conducts other tasks/work directed by the supervisor.
• PPO conducts him/herself professionally and in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Accountable to the position description, MC HR Manual 

Reports Directly To Program Manager 

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING: As part of Mercy Corps' agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time informal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. 

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH Program team and other departments. 

EXTERNAL CONTACTS: Ministry of Education staff, NGOs, and local community leaders

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related fields is preferred.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.
• Minimum 2 years' experience working with an international NGO.
• Minimum 3-2 years' experience in PSS and protection, managing resources, and understanding the need for regular support and follow- up to ensure that project objectives are met.
• High-level computer and internet skills are required.
• Sense of creativity.
• Strong multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow, procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Commitment to working with vulnerable groups regardless of race, religion, or gender.

Success Factors

• Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (email communications, regular updates, and internal and external reports).
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly takes initiative, and be accountable for results.
• Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people.
• Conscientious with an excellent sense of judgment.
• understanding of the long-term implications of development work.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES: 

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements from the position descriptions for the vacant positions. S/he must be self-motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in challenging, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality in the workplace. 

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability and transparency to

Its beneficiaries and international standards guiding relief and development work.

Interested candidates should submit their CVs, references, and application letter to the email address:

mcbaghdadhr@gmail.com

Resumes sent in an email without mentioning the job applied for in the subject line will not be considered. Submission should include a copy of the Iraqi national ID card and education certificates.

                              ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVs SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY February 28^th, 2021 at 16:00.

Mercy Corps will review CVs and applications on a rolling basis (i.e., as applications are submitted). Potential Candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. As soon as qualified candidates are identified, the positions will be closed automatically.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a potential interview. Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for the position of Psychosocial and Protection Officer

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global Impact. 

Mercy Corps Iraq offers a variety of arrangements that enable women to excel in their careers.  Mercy Corps Iraq ensures a safe and inclusive working environment for women and men through field security training and measures to provide secure working arrangements on-site and in the office.