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 โ helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corpsโ 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 Corpsโ strategic pillars including food security, economic opportunities, water security, and peace and good governance. Mercy Corpsโ 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 DCoP works 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 COPโs 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
โ Play an active role in CLA to identify and develop new program adaptations that foster and/or improve strategic objectives of the program.
โ 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 programโs 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 Corpsโ 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 Corpsโ 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 Corpsโ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
Team Management
- Oversee the programโs 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
โข Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corpsโ regulations.
โข 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 Corpsโ needs.
Influence & Representation
โข In coordination with the COP, represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.
โ 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
โ Work closely with the Country security focal points to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
โ 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
โ MA/S or equivalent experience in development studies, international relations, agriculture, conflict management, economic development or other relevant field.
โ 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).
โ At least
- The number of direct reports is to be determined.
- 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.
- Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
- Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
- Oversee the programโs teams. Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
- Fulfill Mercy Corpsโ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
- Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
- Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.
- Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice
- Confirm beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
- Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corpsโ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
- Support the COP in the development of vision and strategy for the program