Job Description

Position: Civic Engagement Officer (CEO)

Location:  Erigavo, (Somaliland)

Position Status Full-time, Regular

Salary Level: 4C

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global. Learn more here. As the transition is being implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and commitments continue without interruption.

Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) 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 (Prosper Global) has worked in Somaliland since 2005, maintaining an established office in Hargeisa, a team of Somaliland-based staff, and over two decades of operational experience in the area.  Our programming spans multiple sectors and is framed by a high-level strategy for advancing resilience and peace. Seeing ability in vulnerability, we work with and through local communities, including IDPs and returning refugees, to address immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while supporting and strengthening systems that facilitate collective advancement towards long-term and inclusive socio-economic growth, peace, and prosperity. Grounded in core resilience principles of systems thinking, partnership and facilitation, and adaptive management, Mercy Corps’ (Prosper Global) approach encourages crisis-affected populations, the private sector, government, and civil society to work together towards meaningful and lasting change. Our long-standing relationships with the local communities and administrative systems provide a strong understanding of political, clan, economic, and conflict dynamics, as well as an established platform for locally informed analysis, convening, and programme delivery.

Program / Department

Mercy Corps has a significant depth of experience throughout the Horn of Africa, including an operational presence across the countries. Mercy Corps’ (Prosper Global) strategic focus is on dryland communities and programming in these areas including governance, social cohesion, market systems development, climate change adaptation interventions, among others. Through our work across a diversity of program activities, Mercy Corps supports the establishment and cultivation of resilient livelihoods. In line with this regional focus, Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) in partnership with the Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) and its downstream partners (GSDO, SDF and SSO), is implementing a two-year Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) funded program “Support to Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion and Inclusive Development in Ceerigaabo” known in Somali as the Wadajir Program. The Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) aims to expand civic space and strengthen citizen participation by enabling collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector around community cohesion, sustainable development, and other shared priorities. CEF works to expand civic space and catalyze collective action. Its core mission is to bridge divides, promote non-violent dialogue, and support locally led civic action that contributes to peace, inclusion, and sustainable development. Through targeted funding windows, CEF enables civic organizations and networks to build trust. The Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) program seeks to strengthen peace, social cohesion and resilience in Ceerigaabo by enabling inclusive, participatory community engagement and responsive, accountable local governance. It is organized around three mutually reinforcing outcomes: strengthening civil actors and networks to facilitate peaceful dialogue and cooperation; improving mechanisms for inclusive participation in decision-making and development processes; and strengthening the capacity, systems and incentives of local civic and governance actors to respond effectively and transparently to community priorities.

The program will be delivered through SONSAF and its Ceerigaabo-based member organizations—Sanaag Development Foundation (SDF), Sanaag Sisters Organization (SSO) and Gibilsame Sustainable Development Organization (GSDO), as applicable—with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) providing strategic oversight, technical support and capacity strengthening. The program will establish and strengthen dialogue platforms for women, youth and leaders; facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement; support Community Action Groups (CAGs); strengthen linkages between citizens and local government; and support catalytic community initiatives and accountability mechanisms.

General Position Summary

Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented ‘Civic Engagement Officer’ (CEO) to provide technical and operational leadership for the implementation of peacebuilding and civic engagement activities under the Wadajir Program in Ceerigaabo. Working under the supervision of the Program Manager, the CEO will be responsible for coordinating program implementation, facilitating stakeholder engagement, supporting monitoring and reporting, ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) and donor requirements, and contributing to adaptive programming based on conflict dynamics and community feedback. The CEO Officer will work closely with SONSAF/ partners (GSDO, SSO, SDF), local authorities, other civil society organizations, community leaders, women and youth groups, and other stakeholders to strengthen community resilience, prevent conflict, and promote sustainable peace in Ceerigaabo. The CEO will also be responsible for coordinating the program focal officers from SONSAF, GSDO, SDF and SSO; and will be responsible for mapping the program various activities and coordination mechanisms for the smooth implementation of the program and for its comprehension and acceptance by a wide range of stakeholders, both direct and indirect. The CEO will keep a detailed calendar of these events and mechanisms relevant to the program. The CEO position will be based in Ceerigaabo district and hosted at the offices of SONSAF and/ or one of the sub-partners (GSDO, SDF or SSO). Thus, Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) seeks highly qualified applicants hailing from Ceerigaabo District. Strong candidates from the rest of Somaliland with background working experience of Ceerigaabo can be considered. Strong female applicants encouraged to apply.

Essential  Job Responsibilities Program Planning and Implementation

·         Serve as the Wadajir program focal point in Ceerigaabo and lead the implementation of program activities together with SONSAF, SDF, SSO and GSDO, in accordance with approved work plans, program timelines, budgets, donor requirements, and Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) Program Management Minimum Standards.

·         Develop detailed implementation plans, monthly work plans, and activity schedules to ensure timely delivery of program outputs.

• Coordinate day-to-day program implementation and monitor progress against approved targets and performance indicators.

·         Coordinate with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global), SONSAF/ Partners Finance, Operations, Security and technical teams to ensure compliance, effective logistics, documentation and safe implementation.

• Ensure that all program interventions are conflict-sensitive, inclusive, gender-responsive, and aligned with safeguarding standards.
• Identify capacity gaps among community structures and implementing partners and develop capacity strengthening plans and actions.
• Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives for community leaders, peace committees, women and youth groups, and local partners.
• Develop mentoring plans for the community facilitators and volunteers to improve program quality and sustainability.
• Identify implementation bottlenecks and recommend timely corrective actions.

Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion Programming

• Facilitate inclusive community dialogue processes in line with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) approaches (CATALYSE, COELESCE and IBNM) as well as the CEF Community Engagement Steps to strengthen trust, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among the program targeted communities.

·         Facilitate and support CATALYSE processes, community dialogue, social-cohesion activities, youth and women platforms, leaders’ forums and multi-stakeholder engagement.

·         Support Interest-Based Negotiation and Mediation (IBNM), dialogue, trust-building and constructive engagement between communities and government.

·         Support Community Action Groups (CAGs) to develop, implement and monitor community-led initiatives through the catalytic grant mechanism, ensuring alignment with identified community priorities, inclusion, conflict sensitivity and sustainability.

• Support community-led conflict prevention and dispute resolution initiatives in close coordination with the partners, local administration and community set ups,
• Coordinate the program peace forums involving traditional elders, religious leaders, women, youth representatives, civil society organizations, and local government officials.
• Strengthening the capacity of community peace structures and local dialogue platforms through trainings and support.
• Promote women's and youth leadership and participation in peacebuilding and civic engagement processes. 

Stakeholder Coordination and Representation

• Build and maintain productive working relationships with government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, implementing partners, and development actors.
• Represent the program at district-level coordination meetings, technical working groups, and relevant peacebuilding forums as delegated by the Program Manager.
• Strengthen collaboration with local authorities to support effective implementation and sustainability of program outcomes.

·         Strengthen civic-government linkages by supporting participatory planning, community priority-setting, engagement with local authorities, development and follow-up of MOUs and commitments, and collaborative problem-solving.

• Ensure community ownership throughout the implementation of program interventions.

Grants, Compliance and Operations Support

• In line with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) Program Management Protocols. Prepare Terms of Reference (ToRs), activity budgets, procurement requests, and logistical plans for program activities.
• Support program procurement planning and activity logistics in coordination with Operations, finance and compliance teams.  
• Prepare monthly cash forecasts and support financial planning.
• Ensure all program documentation complies with Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) operational policies and donor regulations.
• Support timely liquidation of advances and submission of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate operation/ finance/ compliance need support for the Wadajir program implementing partners (SONSAF, GSDO, SSO, SDF).

·         Support partner capacity strengthening, coaching, learning and documentation, and promote locally led implementation and sustainability.

Reporting, Monitoring, and Adaptive Management

• Contribute to the development intervention plans and budgets; ensure effective sequencing, layering, and integration across the Wadajir Ceerigaabo program target areas.
• Work with MEL/MRM teams to define KPIs, collect data, and conduct outcome/impact assessments; adapt strategies based on evidence.

·         Collaborate with MEL and Results Measurement teams to collect, analyze, and utilize evidence for program learning and decision-making.

• Prepare high-quality weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports.
• Maintain comprehensive program records, activity documentation, and beneficiary databases.
• Provide timely updates on program progress, implementation challenges, risks, and mitigation measures.

·         Contribute to documenting lessons learned, good practices, and emerging opportunities from program interventions.

• Produce clear reports, presentations, and success stories for internal and donor audiences, support learning exchanges and market events.

·         Work with country-level Program managers to assess and analyze impact and adaptively manage the program to meet results.

·         Conduct regular political economy and conflict analyses to inform program implementation and provide evidence-based recommendations for adaptive programming.

·         Apply conflict-sensitive programming and the Do No Harm approach throughout program implementation.

Gender Equality, Diversity and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)

• Work with the Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) and the Wadajir program implementing partner teams as well as GEDSI teams to Integrate gender and social inclusion across activities to ensure women, youth, and marginalized groups full participation.
• Support the program outreach and awareness campaigns to strengthen all community members participation and acceptance.

Security and Safeguarding

• Coordinate with security focal points to ensure safe design and delivery of activities.
• Adhere to Mercy Corps’ (Prosper Global) security protocols/ procedures, safeguarding, safe communication, and risk management policies.

Oversight Responsibility ·         Provide technical guidance, coordination and oversight to the Wadajir program focal points within SONSAF, GSDO, SSO and SDF. Accountability

Reports Directly To: Program Manager for the Program

Works Directly with: Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) program and operation teams, SONSAF/ Partners (GSDO, SSO and SDF) Teams as well as CEF field team in Somaliland.

Accountability to beneficiaries and partners

Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and partners 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 programs. 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.

Experiences and Qualifications

Education

·         Bachelor’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, Sociology, Public Administration, Law, or another relevant social science discipline.

  Experience

·         Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in peacebuilding, governance, conflict prevention, social cohesion, civic engagement or community development with an NGO or similar organization.

·         Demonstrated experience coordinating donor-funded programs and working with local implementing partners.

·         Experience facilitating dialogue, mediation, negotiation, participatory planning, community mobilization or collective action.

·         Experience working with local government, traditional/religious leaders, civil society, women and youth groups and community structures.

·         Strong understanding of conflict sensitivity, Do No Harm, social cohesion, civic engagement and inclusive governance.

·         Strong coordination, facilitation, reporting, communication and problem-solving skills.

·         Good knowledge of Somaliland peace and governance programming with a working experience of the Ceerigaabo /Sanaag context strongly preferred.

·         Strong analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.

·         Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required.

·         Excellent written and spoken English; fluency in Somali required.

Skills Required

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