Nature Club Officer
Nature Club Officer
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
The Program / Department / Team
Mercy Corps and Axiom International will implement a 24-month program “Inclusive Security and Resilient Youth Project – ISRY,'' a community-based development program supporting at-risk youth in Jordan between the ages of 15 to 30. ISRY will adopt a positive youth development approach to psychosocial support interventions to promote learning; increase stability through co-existence and inclusive security and build the psychosocial resiliency of youth and their families. Mercy Corps, in close coordination with Axiom, will create connections between youth and Public Security actors through engagement in Nature-based activities and community-based activities. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Social Development, the program will identify three local community-action hubs- CAHs in the north, center, and south of Jordan – to establish Community Action Hubs that provide youth with a safe space to improve social stability and ultimately make youth and their communities more resilient. Additionally, the program will seek to strengthen the CAHs’ institutional capacities to sustain long-term impact The project will place additional focus on the national level to strengthen the role of women and youth representation in the Youth Peace and Security – YPS 2250 – coalition in Jordan, through close collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and other stakeholders.
Nature Club
This model has measurably improved the mental health, well-being, and security of Syrian and Jordanian youth at risk of violence, aggression, and isolation. A pioneering component of Nubader is the Nature Club, a psychosocial-based environmental leadership program for the most vulnerable, unemployed youth. Indoor and outdoor sessions emphasize a healthy lifestyle, improved mental health, and environmental stewardship through nature education, climate change awareness, and activities like hiking, rock climbing, and camping that push young men and women out of their comfort zones to realize their potential.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Nature Club Field Officer will provide support to the implementation of “Inclusive Security and Resilient Youth Project – ISRY”. He/she will be responsible for supporting the development and execution of the Nature Club Youth program with male youth as part of the project’s activities and follow up closely with the Nature club team and the other functions in the project on the development of the nature club approach through contributing to the curriculum design and development of training tools as well as delivery of the courses and capacity building process using internal and external resources. He will report to the Nature Club coordinator and work closely with staff dedicated to the project – such as the training unit and Area team, the MEL team, and the admin and procurement focal point. He will also lead efforts to build the capacity of Coaches from CBO partners to meet the psychosocial support programming requirements of MC and other donors. The Nature Club Field Officer is expected to spend several days at the field conducting direct implementation with youth workers and young people.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
NATURE CLUB TRAINING AND CONTENT DESIGN
1. Contribute and provide technical inputs during the design of the Nature Clubs’ activities in close coordination with all project functions.
2. Ensure activities under the Nature Club are designed using the Profound Stress and Attunement Framework and gender lens is mainstreamed throughout the programs’ sessions, including the technical training for youth workers and session plans.
3. Ensure that activities are culture contextualized and aligned with the young people's availability.
4. The Nature cub program runs during weekday working hours, however, certain circumstances and the young people's needs may require the nature club to run during the weekend. In this case, the Nature Club Field Officer is asked to work during the weekend (based on their availability and willingness) and to properly plan for compensation days/hours in close coordination with the Nature Club Team Leader.
5.Support quality assurance through reviewing results of training programs evaluations, attendance, and training data, and recommend necessary actions.
6.Implement training for community personnel and local organizations’ staff involved in the implementation, including youth workers and mentors, to further develop behavior strategies and attunement skills that support enabling young people to manage their behavior. And provide direct coaching and mentoring for them on a regular basis.
IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATIONS OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1. Contribute to the development of activities of work plans in coordination with the Area team, each according to their geographic responsibility
2. Conduct implementation of approved work plans for young participants in the local community in line with previously designed session plans and consideration of outdoor/Adventure Quality Management Strategy and safety measurements.
3. Support procurement Team at MC through research training supplies and materials as needed – including details, cost comparison, and timelines, and contribute to the operational process related to the Nature activities at the CBO.
4. Coordinate Closely with the Area teams and CBOs personnel on the training schedules and any operational processes related to participants’ transportation and sessions timeline and ensure times are properly aligned with MC area team and the CBOs.
5. Contribute to the outreach strategy development process to ensure male participants according to the selection criteria are reached out to and engaged.
6. In close coordination with the training and field units, support the development of selection criteria for youth workers and develop SoW for them. and conduct the interviews, selection, and scoring.
7. Contribute to Nature-based activities, including making sure attendance is documented, and financial supporting documents are in adherence to MC and CBOs financial and MEL standards.
OPERATIONAL: Provide weekly progress report including a narrative description of the activities’ progress, success stories, and lessons learned.
8. Conduct efforts both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
9. Other duties as assigned.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of MC's commitment to organizational learning and in support of the understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve – all MC team members are expected 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 toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in designing, monitoring, and evaluating our field projects.
· Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs, and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: CBO Nature Club community personnel.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Project Beneficiaries
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Nature Club Coordinator
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Senior Project Manager, Area Team, MHPSS, and Capacity Building Team, other project teams
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
● College degree and Accredited certification in Mountaineering Sports, Health Education, Social Work, or related field
● At least 2 years of related experience performing required tasks, preferably in a complex emergency or relief context
● Proven experience in training materials development, preferably in the relevant field of work
● Proven experience in implementing project-relevant activities on a national level
● Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
● Strong verbal and written communications skills
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word
● Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to Amman/northern or Southern Jordan
● Knowledge of English is preferable
SUCCESS FACTORS:
● Deep commitment to humanitarian principles and values
● Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies
● Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision
● Demonstrated organizational skills
● Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
● Security, political and cultural awareness
● Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines
● Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others;
● Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented
COMPETENCIES:
● Problem Solving Skills
● Action Oriented
● Coaching
● Communication Skills
● Time-Management
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Amman, Jordan or other Middle East Mercy Corps locations and it requires up to 70%% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.
Ongoing Learning
In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
