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 Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other conflict-affected people where they are: displaced inside Ukraine, refugees in Poland, and Moldova. In 2022, MCโs Ukraine response reached 1.28 million people with emergency cash, food, psychosocial support, and information campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming has been delivered in partnership with Ukrainian, Polish, and Moldovan civil society organizations through a granting program that matches humanitarian action with capacity strengthening, and with peer international NGOs through a consortium in Ukraine. Building on a substantial program addressing needs through MPCA/Cash in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine, the portfolio is currently piloting a Rapid Response Mechanism as well as a Resilience program focusing on supporting local value chains and SMEs.
General Position Summary
The Deputy Country Director (DCD) leads and manages a team delivering a suite of essential program capabilities. These include programmatic strategy and quality oversight; policy and advocacy; ethics, safeguarding and risk management; and internal and external communications. S/he serves as a member of the Response Senior Management Team (RSMT), which offers oversight and accountability for Mercy Corps programs and operations across the entire response. In addition, the DCD serves as Acting Ukraine Country Director (CD) where and when appropriate, acts as a representative for the response in selected networks, meetings and fora as agreed with the CD, and as a media spokesperson as agreed with the CD and other stakeholders.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY & VISION
Work with the CD and organizational stakeholders to develop and oversee the high-level integration of programmatic initiatives across the response and ensure effective leadership and external engagement at head and field office level. Work with the CD, RSMT colleagues and organizational stakeholders to develop, oversee and implement a comprehensive Risk Management strategy and mechanism for the response. Work with the CD, RSMT colleagues and organizational stakeholders to develop and oversee a robust safeguarding strategy for the response. Work with the CD and organizational colleagues to craft a pro-active internal and external communications strategy for the response. Work with the CD and organizational stakeholders to develop and oversee policies and advocacy positions on important humanitarian issues relevant to the Ukraine response. Lead the RSMT in ensuring compliance to the above policies and strategies, and in ensuring that they are adaptive and evolve according to circumstance and Lead the Ukraine Response team and organizational stakeholders in implementing a multi-annual response strategy aligned with Mercy Corpsโ Vision 2030. Ensure fit within regional and global strategies for above Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed, working particularly with the Director of Programs and PaQ Lead.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary. Set clear expectations for team member performance, and work to ensure team members improve performance and reach objectives. Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence, and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations. Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Serve as Acting CD in the absence of the CD.
FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT
Support the creation and maintenance of systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. Support the Mercy Corps Ukraine Response team in ensuring compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming. As needed, draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
Represent the Ukraine Response in selected humanitarian networks, meetings and other fora, as agreed with the CD Represent the Ukraine Response to selected donors, as agreed with the CD, Director of Programs and organizational stakeholders Represent the Ukraine Response in media and advocacy work, as agreed with the CD and organizational stakeholders.SECURITY
Work with the Security & Humanitarian Access team-members to ensure the Ukraine response has best practice protocols and a high performing humanitarian analysis and access capability, able to inform decision making. Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership. Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.Supervisory Responsibility
The Deputy Country Director will manage the Senior Advisor for Ethics and Risk, the Safeguarding Advisor, the Policy and Advocacy Advisor, the Crisis Analytics Manager, and the Communications Manager.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: Director of Programs, Director of Operations, Director of People, Director of Finance & Compliance, and the Ukraine Cash Consortium Director, plus relevant departments at HQ including Media and Communications
Knowledge and Experience
8+ years of field experience in international relief and development required, including demonstrable success in humanitarian programming in active conflict zones, transitional environments and working in insecure emergency situations Experience with crafting and representing humanitarian policy and advocacy messages Knowledge of humanitarian principles, IHL and humanitarian access and negotiation Experience as a media spokesperson on humanitarian issues Effective communication skills: able to work in person and remotely with geographically dispersed and culturally distinct teams Experience in crafting analytical product and/or managing an analysis function BA/BS or equivalent in the relevant field; MA/S preferred. Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Russian or Ukrainian is desirable.
Functional competencies
Understands strategy development Can develop and manage budgets Demonstrable experience of risk management and approaches to identifying and mitigating multiple risks Can effectively communicate with donors and policymakers Can identify and mobilize HQ technical and functional support Effectively manages teams/people and applies relevant Mercy Corpsโ procedures andapproaches
Supports team members through capacity building Can ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies Is comfortable using social media platforms and speaking publicly Has knowledge of humanitarian principles and negotiation
Success Factors
The successful Deputy Country Director will be able to manage a diverse range of key program capabilities and develop and oversee coherent strategies and policies. S/he will be a committed team player, able to network internally and externally in the aim of optimizing program impact and influence. The DCD will be comfortable acting as a senior representative for the response and for Mercy Corps to a range of policy makers and shapers. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is based in Odessa/Dnipro, Ukraine, with frequent travel to Kyiv. This is an unaccompanied role with individual housing. The position will require up to 50% travel. Travel locations may include insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited as is the access to amenities.
Given the emergency context, this position requires exceptional work schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Ongoing Learning