Program / Department Summary

General Position Summary

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options

Strategy, Vision & culture

• Formulate, refine and articulate a clear vision of present and future country strategy and objectives team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans and drives forward business development efforts.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Promote and foster a culture of cross-department/team collaboration, shared ownership of the country strategy, ethics and accountability across the mission.
• Build strategic partnerships and relationships to achieve the vision outlined in the country and regional strategy.
• Lead country strategy development and annual country planning using a collaborative process.
• Leverage headquarters and regional technical support teams to support program design and delivery in line with Mercy Corps’ best practices.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome. Remain current with development thinking, including resilience approaches, systems thinking, nexus approaches, social impact, value for money, etc.
• Lead engagement with authorities/local stakeholders, donors, partners, and communities to design and secure resources for high-impact programs that are aligned to community priorities.
• Support program and operations team members to pivot and adapt programming to be responsive to contextual changes, such as environmental and climate change impacts or emerging opportunities to deepen impact.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

• Commit to building an organizational culture of trust, transparency, diversity, equity, and inclusion across the team and global organization.
• Uphold a culture of integrity through ethical decision-making, safeguarding and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
• Lead by role modeling self-awareness to foster an environment of mutual respect, diversity and inclusion so that all team members are included, supported and can thrive.
• Create a culture of collaboration and accountability for highly effective communication systems and relationships to ensure every voice matters.

Influence & Representation

• Set up systems to stay abreast of contextual changes, anticipate needs, and contribute to shaping donors’ views on humanitarian and development priorities in ways that are responsive to changes in the context.

Team Management

• Recruit, manage, motivate, and onboard an informed, skilled and efficient team with an emphasis on excellence and efficiency; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, incorporating staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team building process.
• Demonstrate commitment to promoting gender, diversity, and inclusion outcomes within the team, and create a safe and empowering work environment where all voices are respected and empowered.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Cultivate a culture of urgency across the team to work in an effective and efficient manner.
• Encourage a team culture of growth, learning, creativity and innovation by incorporating a culture of continuous feedback, development and performance management.
• Establish credibility within the team by demonstrating personal accountability, flexibility, resilience and dedication to quality programming by creating positive relationships and having composure in complex situations.
• Ensure people-focused human resource systems are in place and consistent with Mercy Corps’ global policies, including position descriptions, team member onboarding, performance management, professional development plans and reporting mechanisms.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

PROGRAM IMPACT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND LEARNING

PROGRAM OPERATIONS & COMPLIANCE

Security

• Liaise with the Regional Security Advisor, Country Safety and Security Manager, and Deputy Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.
• Ensure the safety and security of staff members through regular review and adaptation of security protocols and procedures including the regularly updated country security plan.

Accountability

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
• 10+ years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including

• 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
• Proven leadership skills that promote collaboration, communication and accountability.
• Experience with growing/diversifying program portfolios and establishing new/innovative partnerships in line with strategic objectives across a variety of sectors.
• Experience with climate smart resilience, economic development and energy access programming a plus.
• Demonstrated success managing and bringing together a multi-cultural team with team members

• Successful and proven representation, negotiation, and organization skills.
• Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and success in securing funding for country programs.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government,

• Proven skills in financial and grants management, including experience with USAID, FCDO, EU-, UN donors and other strategic donors.
• An internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to

• Excellent oral and written English; French language skills highly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous work experience in countries where travel to insecure areas is required, and

• Capacity to manage security and incident/crisis management teams.

Success Factors

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

Ongoing Learning

In 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 & Inclusion

Achieving 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 world’s 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 Opportunity

Mercy 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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements