ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action – helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. We help people overcome poverty and conflict. Working with communities, we leverage local logic to help people transform their lives. To grow more food, earn higher incomes and ultimately advocate for their needs. We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions

JOB SUMMARY

About the Programme

Essential Responsibilities

• Ensure design and implementation of MSD programming aligns with MSD principles and standards, while also integrating technical resources and drawing on technical experts from other areas, such as GESI, and Climate resilience.
• Lead and manage sub-sector selection research and subsequent market system assessments (MSAs), and lead on putting findings into action.
• In collaboration with intervention managers, support adaptive management practices to ensure adequate targeting and programme success.
• Provide technical review of work products and deliverables related to MSD, including partnership engagement designs, scopes of work and key deliverables.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems enable a diversely-skilled programme team to implement MSD effectively – including supporting the team with processes and procedures for engaging and building partnerships with the private sector, intervention or concept design, and adaptive management. Work closely with the SMT and other programme team members to navigate and strengthen operational systems to support MSD implementation.
• Follow analysis of the Afghan socio-political and economic context, ensuring that this analysis is recognised and incorporated in programming.

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

• Provide effective overall leadership in the management of MSD interventions.
• Coordinate closely with the Consortium Director and other members of the PMU to ensure coordination between PREVALE’s diverse activities (across different implementation models).
• Ensure timely and effective design and implementation of interventions, and achievement of targets, on time, on scope and on budget for MSD activities.
• Support the team to adaptively manage an MSD portfolio of interventions that is appropriately balanced in terms of risk and benefits.
• Support the PMU of PREVALE to build, manage and maintain relationships with the donor, and communicate progress of MSD interventions.
• Prepare (or facilitate/enable the preparation of) high-quality reports according to MSD MEL standards in collaboration with the programme teams and the Program Quality and Learning team, and in alignment and coordination with the process set out by the Consortium Director and MEL Lead. These reports should demonstrate how the PREVALE programme’s MSD activities contribute to the overall strategic objectives.
• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Consortium Director to support partnership planning and modalities that enable effective MSD implementation.
• Provide technical support to all team members involved in MSD activities, in particular for sector selection and system framing; market systems research and analysis, designing systemic interventions to address the market dysfunctions which disadvantage and exclude micro and small enterprises; finding strategic leverage points for change, building public and private sector partnerships, monitoring interventions, and adapting strategy in response to results, including support scale in relevant interventions.

• Manage a team of implementation staff dedicated to support MSD implementation.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence while also valuing diversity, debate and disagreement.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance discussions and strong performance management protocols.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Work with other colleagues to identify training needs and capacity gaps, to train and mentor staff in MSD approaches to ensure implementation of MSD programme activities, and support them to access additional professional development and technical capacity building as appropriate to their individual professional development.
• In collaboration with the Consortium Director, continue building the wider PREVALE team’s understanding of MSD.
• Recognise opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Work closely with the PREVALE PMU to ensure cross-learning with other components of PREVALE and members of the wider consortium, avoiding any siloes.

• Work with the MEL team to develop and implement a MEL plan for MSD, with clear designation of roles and responsibilities between the MSD interventions and MEL teams.
• Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and analysis systems are in place, adhered to and used as a decision-making tool, in coordination with the MEL team.
• Where appropriate, provide input into the development of PREVALE learning questions and research plans.

• Identify scope for, and lead the development of, case studies and learning documents.
• As relevant, collaborate closely with the Technical Resources and Quality team to provide feedback and share lessons to improve Mercy Corps’ MSD programme design and implementation.

Supervisory Responsibility

Accountability

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 7 years of experience advising or managing MSD programmes, at least 5 years in senior advisory or management roles on MSD-related projects in the field.
• Deep understanding of MSD methodology, frameworks and their operationalisation.
• Demonstrated experience operationalising MSD tactics, including experience navigating NGO procurement and administration systems.
• Experience working on large, complex ‘hybrid’ programmes preferred.
• Prior experience in Afghanistan or similar complex environments preferred.
• FCDO prior experience is advantageous.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required;
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Knowledge of Dari and Pashto is advantageous.

Success Factors

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

Ongoing Learning

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Equal Employment Opportunity

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, programme 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.

How to Apply
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