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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps’ operations in West & Central Africa region consist of 9 countries including Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Central African Republic. This is a region with programming that covers all of Mercy Corps’ strategic pillars including food security, economic opportunities, water security, and peace and good governance. Mercy Corps’ programs in West Africa are undergoing both momentous humanitarian crises and significant development challenges that offer the opportunity to empower people to survive through crises, build better lives and transform their communities for good.

Mercy Corps seeks candidates for Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) positions to lead the implementation of a variety of integrated, in country or regional, complex programs implemented in partnership with local and international partners, and covering either of its core outcomes of food security, water security, economic opportunities and peacebuilding and good governance.

General Position Summary

The DCoPworks in concert with the Chief of Party (CoP), providing technical and operational management of the different components of the program, directly overseeing teams and corresponding grant funds to implement to ensure the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The DCoP, working closely with the COP, will contribute to overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the program. The DCOP will be designated Acting COP in the COP’s absence and represent the program to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities

SAFEGUARDING 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

• Support the COP in the development of vision and strategy for the program

●Play an active role in CLA to identify and develop new program adaptations that foster and/or improve strategic objectives of the program.

● Support the Chief of Party in the establishment of a program consortium structure that favors integration across all activities and implementing partners.

Program Management and Implementation

• Oversee the technical and operational management of the program’s activities
• Work with the COP to oversee program start-up, management and administration. With the COP, ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.

• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.

• Confirm beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.

• Integrate community approaches, gender and conflict sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice

• Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.

• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Team Management

• Oversee the program’s teams. Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations.

• Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps’ needs.

Influence & Representation

• In coordination with the COP, represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.

● As deputized by the COP, coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs. Contribute to program visibility and advocacy work by assisting in dissemination of program research and learning information. Represent Mercy Corps in forums with the broader humanitarian and development community.

Security

● Work closely with the Country security focal points to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.

● Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

• The number of direct reports is to be determined.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Chief of Party
• Works Directly With: Sector leads/program managers, field teams, the MEL team, consortium partners, local government, donor and other stakeholders.

Knowledge and Experience

●MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, international relations, agriculture, conflict management, economic development or other relevant field.

● At least 5 years in program administration and management roles, preferably in integrated, multi-sectoral programs of a medium to large size and scope ($10+ million).

●At least 5 years in team management roles with demonstrated ability to build and foster an adaptive team culture and a record of accomplishment in inspiring teams.

● Demonstrated technical knowledge in either food security, water security, economic opportunities, or peacebuilding and good governance

●Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with implementing partners, host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, and local organizations.

● Fluency in written and spoken French and English (bilingual is a plus)

● Conversant with major donor requirements and compliance especially USAID, FCDO, EC and other institutional and foundation donors.

● Experience in West Africa countries is highly preferred.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The DCOP is based in field offices where the program is implemented.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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, reach their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborate to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity 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 based on 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 & Ethics

Mercy 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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 Policiesand values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected])

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements