Tracking Code: 218828-927
Job Location: Niamey, Niger
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
Job Description
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operational in Niger since September
2005. Current areas of focus include food security, agriculture and livestock
development, health and nutrition, livelihoods and economic recovery,
governance, and emergency response. The goal of Mercy Corps in Niger is to
support vulnerable, at risk communities to recover from shocks and exclusion
and secure viable opportunities for sustainable economic development. While
Mercy Corps currently focuses mostly on the above activities, we are
increasingly shifting towards integrated development programming with a focus
on sustainable livelihoods, resilience-building, and economic development.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Deputy Country Director (DCD) will work closely with the
Country Director (CD) and program team to lead new program development and
ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and
evaluation, quality assurance and accountability in close collaboration with
the operations team. The position will be based in Niamey, with regular travel
to the field sites. S/he will help represent the Mercy Corps programs to donors,
other NGOs and stakeholders, thematic clusters, relevant government
authorities, and other program partners.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Development
- Lead
the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to
identified needs and the country strategy, in coordination with the
Country Director and Program Managers, as well as the Africa-based
Regional Program Director, headquarters-based Senior Program Officer,
Technical Advisors and other relevant staff.
- Plan
and lead the country team to assess the needs for program design,
evaluate, analyze and further develop a multi-year country specific
strategic plan for Niger, in line with the regional value propositions and
MC global strategy.
- Lead
the development of solicited and unsolicited proposals and concept notes.
Coordination and Representation
- Establish
close and productive relationships with donors, national government
authorities, and cluster members (UN and NGO) in Niamey, in close
coordination with the Country Director.
- Represent
Mercy Corps at all relevant coordination meetings in Niamey (GDCI/Heads of
Missions, Clusters, Humanitarian Advocacy Group, etc.), and increasingly
play a lead role in other advocacy and coordination bodies.
- Coordinate
with other NGOs in Niger to consolidate Mercy Corps’ comparative
advantage, while identifying new strategic partnerships.
Program Coordination
- Provide
leadership in all aspects of program coordination to ensure consistent
quality, including the incorporation of cross-cutting themes, quality data
analysis, lessons learned and best practices.
- Ensure
that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and
aligned with Mercy Corps’ principles, values, global strategic roadmap,
and Niger country strategy.
- Work
with Program Directors and Managers to monitor adherence to grant
agreements, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and relevant external
rules and regulations;
- Support
Program Directors and Managers to oversee performance of partners,
sub-grantees, and technical contractors.
- Conduct
frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control
and program staff mentoring and coaching.
- Build
up programs’ staff capacity and ensure effective and qualitative program
implementation
Program Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure
that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and
analysis systems are in place, adhered to and used as a decision-making
tool, encouraging consistency across programs.
- Work
with the Country Director to roll out and monitor Mission Metrics across
all programs and develop a global M&E system with existing M&E
staff.
- Provide
ongoing training and guidance to staff on M&E best practices.
Program Reporting
- Ensure
that donor reports produced by the Programs team that effectively
demonstrate the impact of Mercy Corps’ program interventions.
- Work
with Program Managers to put in place a tool for an easy tracking upcoming
donor reports.
- Review
all reports to ensure a high-quality product (in either English or French,
depending on the donor).
Program Support Operations
- Work
closely with the Operations Head and Finance Director to ensure that
operational and financial management systems are responsive to program
needs and that program staff are adhering to both donor and Mercy Corps’
procedures and regulations.
Security
- Work
closely with the country team’s security focal point to ensure that
programs are contributing to and responding to safety and security plans
and procedures.
- Ensure
that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and
understanding of security management priorities.
Other
- Conduct
him/herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring
credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- Other
duties as assigned.
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in
support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective,
efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team
members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy
Corps as well as themselves.
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: Technical Advisors,
Program Directors and Managers
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Niger-based department heads, program
team, finance and operational staff; HQ Regional Program Team (SPO & APO);
Technical Support Unit; Resource Development Department
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S
or equivalent in social science, management, international development or
other relevant field. MA/S preferred.
- At
least five years of overseas experience including at least 3 years in a
senior management position.
- Experience
managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas
affected chronic food and nutritional insecurity, climate change, cycles
of drought, etc.
- Previous
experience working in Francophone Africa is strongly preferred.
- Proven
track record in program design, proposal writing and development, and
donor reporting.
- Experience
managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including food security in
complex food/nutritional insecurity environment, agriculture, economic
recovery, environment, livelihoods, financial services, and/or services
for extremely food insecure populations.
- Strong
M&E skills.
- Knowledge
of major donor requirements and compliance issues.
- Strong
management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural
issues.
- Demonstrated
attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and
work independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Skilled
in partnering with private sector and civil society organizations,
public/government entities, local NGOs, etc.
- Fluency
in written and oral French and English is required.
- Strong
knowledge and experience of the Sahel context is a great advantage
- Solid
knowledge of and experience with security protocols is essential.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful DCD will have senior level experience in
coordinating and managing programs in complex areas affected by chronic food
and nutritional insecurity and climate change patterns. S/he will have
exceptional program development and proposal writing skills, and an outstanding
ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to
current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in the
region. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams, with strong
leadership, communication and 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 to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing
environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in
all situations. Patience, tenacity, diplomacy and a sense of humor will
contribute to success.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
While the security situation is volatile in the Sahel
regions, security is quite stable in Niamey. The position is entitled to
individual housing and is not eligible for R&R and hardship. This is an
accompanied post. International schools are available. There is good access to
electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access
to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but
serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps
offices. Travel to field sites will be required, where living conditions
(water, electricity, food) are basic in some places. There is reasonable access
to most consumer goods in Niamey.
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 Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures,
and values at all times and in all in-country venues.