Program Officer
Summary:  
Description:  

Who We Are

Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

 

The Opportunity

The Program Officer ensures the delivery of programs and projects in partner countries, including administration, logistics coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting activities. Under the guidance and supervision of the Program Director, the Program Officer works directly with national and international implementation partners to ensure high-quality execution and alignment with strategic goals.

This position is based in Sierra Leone and requires full-time, in-country residence.  

How You’ll Contribute

To perform this role successfully, the individual must be able to carry out each essential duty with competence and professionalism:

  • Collaborate with the Program Director and International Programs (Regional Directors and Director of Program Impact) to support project development, including the creation of concept papers and project proposals.
  • Ensure practical coordination, implementation, and monitoring of assigned project activities to meet expected results.
  • Administer project budgets and manage financial tasks, including monthly submission of receipts in Certify.
  • Coordinate communication and facilitate information sharing among the project team, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries.
  • Maintain close coordination with project partners to ensure synergy and avoid overlaps in project implementation.
  • Collaborate with Program Governance and Coordination and Program Impact teams for all necessary project documentation, including project plans, partnership agreements, and final reports.
  • Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to implement MEL plans, collect data at pre-agreed intervals, generate reports, and deliver regular reflective reviews with implementation partners.
  • Monitor progress toward achieving project goals.
  • Ensure that records of all projects are well-maintained and reported on time.
  • Prepare internal and final reports on projects in conjunction with the Program Director in a timely manner, according to project reporting cycles.
  • Ensure project learning is documented in an effective way to support continuous improvement.
  • In collaboration with the Program Director, maintain relationships with host governments, Ministries of Health, Hospital Directors, national partners, and other NGOs involved in projects.
  • Develop national staff in administration, financial management, and project management skills to support their career development.
  • Write and create content for internal communications describing projects to help share the work of International Programs.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Requirements)

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for successful performance in this role:

  • Understanding of best practices in the design and implementation of projects within resource-constrained settings.
  • Must live in-country full time.
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex projects from creation to completion.
  • Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate multiple deliverables to meet deadlines.
  • Must possess cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Must be fluent in English.
  • French language skills are strongly recommended when serving in a Francophone country – International B1 Level (or equivalent) required; B2 level desirable.
  • Must have a full, clean driving license with at least five years of driving experience; will be expected to drive as part of responsibilities.
  • International Driver’s License required.
  • Supportive of Mercy Ships’ mission, vision, and committed to its core values.
  • Demonstrated servant leadership, collaborative integrity, and accountability.

 

Education and Experience

The following qualifications are representative of the education and experience typically required for this role:

  • Minimum of 3 years' demonstrated project management experience in resource-constrained environments.
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in international development, public health, management, or a related field.
  • Project Management certificate preferred, but not required.
  • Experience with process and project development and implementation.
  • Successful completion of Mercy Ships Entry Training will be required within the first year.

Please note: Compensation and benefits apply to U.S.-based employees only. International applicants or volunteers may be subject to different terms depending on location and assignment.