PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Programme Director will lead the implementation of a
proposed multi-year £10 million project as part of DFID’s BRACED Programme (Building
Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters). BRACED is a
two phase programme. In its first four year phase from August 2013, DFID will
provide up to £140 million from the UK’s International Climate Fund (ICF). Of
this £110 million will be to deliver interventions in up to 10 countries and to
build the evidence on how to do this at scale to influence policy and
institutional changes. This is expected to benefit up to 5 million people,
especially women and children, by building their resilience to climate
extremes. Mercy Corps plans to deliver the project through a Consortium
comprising a range of other actors, both international and national, both
for-profit and not-for-profit, in Kenya and Uganda.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Programme Director will provide overall leadership,
management and strategic vision to the implementation of the BRACED project,
managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and
deliverables on-time and within budget. The Programme Director will supervise
key program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor
rules and regulations. He/she will be the primary program representative to
donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external
stakeholders. He/she will be managing the Consortium-related aspects of this
project which will be key to ensure the success of the project.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Implementation
- Provide
leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program implementation,
development and management.
- Ensure
that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and
aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.
- Monitor
adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and
relevant external rules and regulations.
- Oversee
performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees.
- Conduct
frequent field visits to all project sites.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:
- Facilitate
the achievement of program targets, objectives and lead efforts to design
effective M&E systems.
- Oversee
the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all
aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.
- Ensure
that M&E staff focuses on assisting programs to generate practical
information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while
also capturing results at the impact level.
Coordination and Representation:
- Represent
Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the
field, in close coordination with the Country Director.
- Coordinate
activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and
other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Team Management:
- Create
a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of
excellent personnel at all levels.
- Implement
and ensure the effective use of performance planning and management system
by all staff members.
- Promote
accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback
via regular performance reviews.
- Contribute
to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team
members into relevant decision-making processes.
Program Support Operations:
- Coordinate
with program, finance and administration staff to ensure operational
systems are in place to support field activities including logistics
(transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security,
administration and human resources.
- Propose
design of new local policies as needed and in accordance with donor and
Mercy Corps regulations.
Security:
- Work
closely with the country teams’ security focal points to develop and
maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all
aspects of its work.
- Ensure
that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and
understanding of security management priorities.
Organizational Learning:
As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning
Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time
in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts
towards 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:
Direct supervision of: Country-level Project Director(s),
Technical Component Leads, M&E Managers, Finance and Administration
Managers.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Regional Program Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Kenya and Uganda Country
Directors, other Programme Managers in both countries (where multiple programs
operate), HQ RPT members, TSU team members
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA or
equivalent in social science, management, international development or
other relevant field. MA is a plus.
- Five
to seven years of overseas experience including three years in a senior
management position, including at a regional/cross-country level.
- Previous
experience with strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and
compliance issues.
- Strong
written and oral communication skills in English, including report
development, writing and editing.
- (Experience
managing Resilience and/or Climate Change Adaptation projects
- Proven
understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change
adaptation strategies, and resilience programming.
- Experience
implementing activities in East Africa, and specifically Kenya and Uganda
– with a strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural
and historical context of both countries.
- Demonstrated
attention to details, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and
work independently and cooperatively with team members.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Programme Director will combine exceptional
management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner
relationships. He/She will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement
and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure
of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with
cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development, and
strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and
simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most
successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment towards 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 position is based in Nairobi and requires traveling to
insecure parts of the country including Karamoja and Wajir. This is an
accompanied post for spouse and children. Nairobi is a major metropolitan
center with world class healthcare and excellent education options. Mercy Corps
provides expatriate staff with a housing allowance that covers rent, utilities,
and security for comfortable accommodations in safe areas of the city.
Telephone and internet access is available and there are dozens of excellent
restaurants along with easy transport links to the rest of Africa and Europe.
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
Goma, Nord-Kivu, Congo - Kinshasa
Position Type
Full-Time/Regular
