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Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps began work in Niger in 2005 in response to the severe food crisis at that time.
Our programming has since expanded to include a focus on early recovery, food security, resilient
livelihoods, peace and good governance, financial inclusion, and youth economic opportunity, along with continued humanitarian response. Drawing on a skilled team of more than 135 colleagues, Mercy Corps has assisted more than one million vulnerable Nigeriens as well as Malian and Nigerian refugees over the years. We currently work in the regions of Niamey, Tahoua, Tillaberi, and Maradi, and implement cross-border programming with Mali and Burkina Faso.
Mercy Corps is seeking a qualified Chief of Party (CoP) to lead the implementation of an anticipated, five-year USAID Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Niger. The Activity will contribute to food and nutrition security for households and communities in vulnerable areas of Niger.
General Position Summary
The CoP will provide overall leadership, management, and strategic vision to the implementation of a multi-year USAID Resilience Food Security Activity. S/he will manage staff, resources, and partnerships to ensure that the Activity meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The CoP will supervise Activity staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corpsโ policies and donor rules and regulations. S/he will be the primary representative to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and external stakeholders for this Activity.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
โ Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of Activity implementation and management. Ensure that Activity implementation is responsive to communities and aligned with Mercy Corpsโ principles, values and strategic plan.
โ Outline and maintain a strategic plan for the implementation of program activities, including finalizing target areas/interventions, methods of operation, and means of evaluation.
Program Management
โ Oversee Activity start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various country locations.
โ Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work-plans, and ensure program implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts.
โ Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantees.
โ Document processes and achievements to ensure impact and best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting Activity adjustments based on new insight and learning.
โ Create and follow effective stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Niger, headquarters, USAID, Government of Niger authorities, partner organizations, and peer agencies.
โ Ensure integration of community approaches, gender, social inclusion, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate.
Human Resources, Safeguarding and Diversity
โ Support Mercy Corpsโ global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development.
โ Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
โ Oversee the recruitment, orientation, professional development, and ongoing training of staff to ensure they possess the skills and technical capacity necessary to ensure the successful implementation of activities.
โ Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Finance, Compliance & Risk Management
โ In collaboration with the Country Officeโs operations and finance departments, ensure that the Activityโs financial management, procurement, administration, human resources, and logistics functions support effective implementation and are compliant with Mercy Corps policy.
โ Monitor adherence to the agreement with the donor, Mercy Corpsโ policies and procedures, and relevant external rules and regulations, including those of the Government of Niger.
โ Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events.
Influence & Representation
โ Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO. and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director and Director of Programs.
โ Ensure close coordination and information sharing with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
โ Establish and maintain relationships with communities, partners and local government.
Security
โ Work closely with the country teamโs security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
โ Ensure that the Activity is implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises national and international team members working on the Activity, and oversees partnerships with national and international organizations. The number of direct and indirect reports will be determined at a later stage.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: Country Director; Director of Programs; Senior Director of Africa Resilience Programs; other Niger