Program Officer – PROPEL Program

About the PROPEL Program

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily implementation of program activities across assigned locations and sectors.
• Support delivery of youth training, employment initiatives, and enterprise development activities.
• Work closely with implementing partners and service providers to ensure effective program delivery.
• Monitor activity progress and identify implementation challenges.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of program activities and results.

• Support identification and engagement of private sector partners and local businesses.
• Assist in coordinating apprenticeships, internships, and job placement opportunities.
• Facilitate communication between program teams and private sector stakeholders.
• Track partner commitments and support follow-up actions.
• Promote private sector participation in youth employment initiatives.

• Support identification, registration, and mobilization of youth participants.
• Assist in delivering skills development and job readiness activities.
• Track youth participation and progress through employment pathways.
• Promote inclusion of women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized communities.
• Address barriers affecting youth participation in program activities.

• Maintain relationships with training providers, community structures, and private sector partners.
• Support organization of stakeholder meetings, workshops, and coordination forums.
• Assist in mapping employment ecosystem actors.
• Strengthen linkages between youth, employers, and service providers.
• Ensure program activities align with wider partner initiatives.

• Support collection and management of program data.
• Maintain accurate participant records and activity reports.
• Contribute to weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and program achievements.
• Ensure timely submission of data to the MEAL team.

• Promote safe and respectful engagement with program participants and communities.
• Identify and report safeguarding risks through established procedures.
• Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps safeguarding policies and code of conduct.
• Protect the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of participants.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in program implementation, youth employment, livelihoods, or community development programs.
• Experience working with private sector actors and market-based approaches.
• Understanding of youth employment challenges, especially among NEET populations.
• Experience supporting data collection, reporting, and program monitoring.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively in dynamic field environments.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong program coordination and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong reporting and documentation abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to youth empowerment and employment development.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively.

Travel Requirements

Salary Expectations

Benefits of Working with Mercy Corps

• Opportunity to contribute to youth employment and economic empowerment programs.
• Professional learning and development opportunities.
• Exposure to international development programs.
• Experience working with global humanitarian and development professionals.
• Collaborative and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunity to build expertise in program management and market systems development.

Career Growth Opportunities

• Senior Program Officer
• Program Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Livelihoods Specialist
• Youth Employment Specialist
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist
• Development Program Manager

How to Apply

• Updated CV
• Cover Letter

Interview Preparation Tips

• Experience managing NGO or community-based programs.
• Examples of youth employment or livelihood projects implemented.
• Experience working with private sector partners.
• Approaches used to engage vulnerable youth groups.
• Experience collecting and reporting program data.
• Examples of solving field implementation challenges.
• Experience working with partners and stakeholders.

CV Tips for Applicants

• Program implementation and coordination.
• Youth empowerment and employment programs.
• Private sector engagement.
• Community mobilization.
• Stakeholder management.
• Monitoring and reporting.
• Data collection and analysis.
• NGO, donor-funded, or development projects.