Kenya - Operations Support Internship (Summer) - Mercy Corps

Tracking Code

218515-927 

 

Job Description

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION:           Nairobi

DATES OF INTERNSHIP:                      Starting May 1, 2013

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP:                    2-3 months (as available)

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP:

Mercy Corps responsibilities
For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Accommodations
• Visa fees
• Work related expenses
• Work Station within our regional office in Nairobi, Kenya
• All required office supplies
• ISOS Emergency Med-Evac coverage
• In-country travel related to the responsibilities of this internship

Intern responsibilities
Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• All non-work related expenses
• International travel to and from Kenya, Nairobi
• Medical insurance
• All other living expenses

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
After the Regional restructuring in July of 2012, Mercy Corps now finds itself in a position where it must further redefine itself to address support needs and future cost in the next Financial Year (FY14). With the departure of Mercy Corps Somalia and significant cost share the Regional support structure will need to be further streamlined through addressing inefficiencies and cutting unnecessary costs. With staffing already at the minimum this will entail support in asset and equipment disposal, office move, and restoration.
Guided by Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures the internship will be a very “hands on” role that will work closely with our regional staff to smoothly transition into the new fiscal year. The internship is designed to support the activities of the Regional Team. He/she will work with a 2-3 person team on developing and executing a plan to close out one office and potentially transition to another. Specifically, the tasks may include:

• Asset/Equipment Disposal.  Help to coordinate, implement and execute a strategy to dispose of assets and equipment through sale, donation, loss, breakage, transfer or other reasons as per existing guidelines. In the case of sale, items must be liquidated in such a manner as to maximize Mercy Corps returns. The most common and competitive method is an auction. It will be imperative that Mercy Corps and Mercy Corps staff are fair and impartial in the sales of assets and procedures are followed. Sales of items could include vehicles, 10 meter containers, desks, ect.
• Facility Restoration. Assist in the process of sourcing and selecting reputable contractors to address facility maintenance and repairs. As per the lease, when a premise is vacated it must be returned to its original conditions. As the office has not had any major maintenance done since 2008 it will require fresh paint, repair of fixtures, changes in locks, ect.
• Preferred Supplier Agreements. The intern will pick up where others have left off in the establishment and/or renewal of preferred supplier agreements for Preferred Supplier Agreements are agreements between Mercy Corps and pre-qualified outside suppliers and vendors in which the suppliers and vendors agree to provide value-added (lower prices, monthly billing, etc.) goods or services to Mercy Corps in return for preferred status as a Mercy Corps supplier. These agreements are primarily made for repetitive supply arrangements. Examples include hotel, taxi, stationary supply, ect

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The intern will gain operational knowledge in an international environment. The intern will learn about the challenges associated with working in developing countries and get a firsthand understanding of using established procedures to meet specific tasks. He or she will also be exposed to the Mercy Corps Palm Team for ongoing support and future opportunities within the Mercy Corps world.

DELIVERABLES:

• All equipment and assets identified are successfully disposed of through established and appropriate procedures.
• Office Facility is returned to original condition and meets with the approval of the property-owner and lease.
• Up to 5 PSA’s are finalized between Mercy Corps and Vendors.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Undergraduate or graduate student with interest in operations and problem solving
• Highly adept with various software, including spreadsheet and data analysis. 
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in quickly changing environments;
• Good interpersonal/communication skills and high level of proficiency in English is required
• Excellent negotiation, representation, skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members 
• Able to contribute to team-building and capacity-building of national staff;
• The individual will be strategic thinker able to bring ideas to fruition.

LIVING CONDITIONS:
This position is Nairobi-based. Housing is provided, but will be subject to water shortages and power losses common to the Nairobi metropolitan area. The location will provide a fairly secure living environment with many of the amenities you would expect in a capital city. There is freedom of movement beyond the house/office provided certain security precautions are maintained. With preparation and strong foresight one can avoid many of the frustrations that occur. The city center is congested with major traffic delays. One can anticipate the occasional power and/or water outages.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.

Job Location

Nairobi, , Kenya

Position Type

Intern 

 

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