Northwest, visit www.mercycorpsnw.org.
The Position Community Navigators are the face of Mercy Corps Northwest to the communities we serve. A successful candidate must have strong client service skills and excellent partnership development acumen. They must approach their work with a combination of confidence, curiosity, and humility. Community Navigators must approach MCNW services as a complement to, not replacement to, existing community resources; therefore, a critical factor for success is identifying and supporting the development of joint opportunities for collaboration.
Essential Responsibilities PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
AccountabilityReports Directly To: Business Development Services ManagerWorks Directly With: Community Navigation Coordinator (Bilingual Spanish/English), Credit Manager, Financing Support Officer, Education Coordinator, Curriculum Development Specialist, Southern Washington Program Manager
Accountability to Participants and StakeholdersMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualifications & Transferable SkillsWe will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please submit a cover letter that clearly shows how your experience meets the minimum qualifications and prepares you to perform the key responsibilities of this role; be clear and specific about how your background is relevant: BA/S or equivalent in business, finance, banking, community development, economics and/or other relevant field or entrepreneurial experience. (Professional work at or near the level of this position can substitute yeah for year for educational requirement); 2-year experience service to the community preferably with underserved communities and low-income individuals; Demonstrated knowledge of asset building, small business development and/or resilience strongly preferred. Transferable skills: Any skills you have gained through education, volunteer or work or life experience (including military) that are relevant for this position will be considered. Be sure to describe any transferable skills and how the apply to this position in your cover letter. Success FactorsThis person will have strong client service skills and excellent partnership development acumen. Demonstrated experience working with a diverse client base of low-income people and successfully addressing their needs is desirable. They will have the ability to work independently and develop joint opportunities for collaboration. The ability to approach their work with a combination or confidence, curiosity, and humility will serve them well. We are looking for someone who has the ability to prioritize competing tasks and deadlines and possess exceptional communication skills. This person will have experience working with databases and a strong attention to detail, specifically be proficient with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word and Excel. Applicants must be able to demonstrate an ability to give personal finance/ business development advice. Small businesses development experience is strongly preferred but not required. They will have demonstrated knowledge of business and financial terms, in addition, lending, banking, and/or financial experience would be a plus.
Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThe position is based in Portland, Oregon U.S.A. The majority of the MCNW team resides in Portland, OR; however, we also have team members and offices in Seattle, Vancouver and Walla Walla, WA that this position will directly support.
Ongoing LearningIn 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 & InclusionAchieving 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 worldโs 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 OpportunityMercy 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 & EthicsMercy 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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.