Position Description

Position Title: Program Assistant

Duty Station: Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
Position Category: Full-time Part-time AND Regular Temporary
Salary Level:
Current Employee: None

MERCY CORPS INTRODUCTION:

Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development agency. Fundedby 1979, its work has touched families and communities in more than 114 nations across the world.Today, Mercy Corps worldwide team of 4,000 professionals works in 41 countries and helps more than 18 million people each year recover from disasters, build stronger communities and find their own solutions to poverty.

Mercy Corps consistently ranks among America's most effective and efficient charitable organizations. Over the last five years, more than 88 percent of resources have been allocated directly to programs, earning it the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, the premier American charity evaluator.Mercy Corps has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mercy Corps has worked in China since 2000 with mission to foster resilience and economic empowerment among vulnerable communities and youth, and to engage in social innovations by working with local partners – including its strategic partners the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation and the All China Youth Federation, as well as other prominent Chinese organizations, NPOs, and philanthropic foundations.

Mercy corps began operations in Chengdu, Sichuan, after the devastating 2008 earthquake.

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The impact of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Ya’an Prefecture, Sichuan Province, on April 20, 2013 has been devastating. Farming, representing a critical economic sector in Ya’an Prefecture, has been heavily disrupted in the aftermath of the earthquake. Impaired irrigation systems and blocked access to markets have caused local farmers to suffer and have upset local markets. Farming equipment and storage units were heavily damaged in the quake and many small business owners have insufficient capital to rebuild and rehire. These disruptions to the agriculture supply chain threaten families’ ability to generate steady income.The goal of this project is to provide immediate and long-term recovery assistance by revitalizing rural livelihoods, repairing infrastructure and promoting economic recovery for 500,000 residents of earthquake-affected communities in Ya’an Prefecture. Identified through in-depth market analysis, these interventions will act as drivers to raise household productivity and incomes, as well as increasing profitable businesses.

Key Activities will include:

•Rehabilitate farming infrastructure, including improving access between farms and markets, rebuilding roads, repairing irrigation and reservoir systems, as well as upgrading farming structures and storage units.

•Restore critical assets for smallholder farmers, ranging from agricultural hand tools to larger equipment. Our emphasis will be on working with the producers of niche commodities in Ya’an, which include tea, kiwifruit, Sichuan spice, traditional Chinese medicine, and other indigenous products.

•Promote youth entrepreneurship by providing relevant trainings for youth entrepreneurs (aged 18 – 35) and facilitating access to financial services.

•Stimulate rural businesses by revitalizing farmer cooperatives and local microfinance institutions, in order for them to reach more people.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Assistant assists the Project Manager and Program Officers in the smooth running of the Accelerating Economic Recovery Program. This includes support in the design and implementation of an in-depth market analysis and subsequent activities to facilitate the development of selected agricultural market systems. Secondly he/she will assist work with local financial institutions to develop appropriate financial products and services to support the development of selected agricultural market systems. He/she will also support work with relevant stakeholders to facilitate improved access to financial products/services for market actors, especially youth. He/she will also provide the necessary support to the program to develop key businesses identified in target market systems to support the development of selected agricultural market systems. Finally the Program Assistant will assist activities related to the program’s Monitoring Evaluation activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  1. Assist with general program operations and field-based activity;
  2. Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that the Accelerating Economic Recovery program is running effectively and making best use of project resources;
  3. Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary;
  4. Monitor program activity to provide weekly overviews to the Program Manager on progress, challenges and suggestions;
  5. Data-entry of program information, as assigned. Develop charts, statistical reports and data-bases as required by Program Manager and Program Officers;
  6. Track project development throughout the target area;
  7. Assist program staff in coordinating logistics and project activities;
  8. Promote and adhere to the principles and objectives of the program, Mercy Corps and its donor;
  9. Assist the program team in keeping up to date records, including a detailed Program File.
  10. Coordinate and organize trainings, meetings, workshops and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
  11. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
  12. Other duties as assigned.

Do This

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Officers, Program Assistant, Operations, Finance and CFPA partner staff.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Must be able to work independently and as part of a team and show initiative and excellent problem-solving skills;
  • Experience in an NGO setting;
  • Report writing;
  • Strong computer (MS Office- especially Word and Excel), filing, and organizational skills;
  • Excellent spoken and written English;
  • Willingness to travel throughout the project areas in Y’an prefecture.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The Program Assistant must have strong skills in multi-tasking, prioritization, communication, problem solving and attention to detail are essential. He/she must be able to work as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel, partners and other stakeholders. Strong computer skills, including data entry (MS Excel), analysis and the ability to communicate findings clearly and concisely are essential to this role. Finally the Program Assistant must be positive, hard-working and maintain a flexible approach, willing to take on new challenges and responsibilities where required.

SIGNATURES:

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