Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact. Mercy Corps in Europe has grown rapidly both in terms of the volume of activity and its complexity. With offices in Edinburgh, London, The Hague and Geneva, we now manage over ยฃ100 million in annual income and employ around 120 team members. The breadth and impact of our programmes makes Mercy Corps a unique and truly rewarding place to work. Our teams are proud of what we achieve in the field and we are always looking for talented individuals who share our passion and commitment. The PositionWe are seeking a senior leader in The Netherlands who is well connected within the Dutch international and foreign policy space, passionate about building the resilience of the poorest people in the world to climate and conflict shocks and able to build a strong brand for Mercy Corps in The Netherlands. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Mercy Corps in Europe the Managing Director of Mercy Corps in The Netherlands will be responsible for embedding Mercy Corps as a local entity within the Netherlands and well-known for our excellent country programmes. As a member of the European Senior Leadership Team (ESLT), they will liaise closely with the other Directors to ensure efficient and integrated management of Mercy Corpsโ portfolio of programmes funded by European donors. The Managing Director will oversee and ensure compliance with all necessary legal and governance requirements in The Netherlands, with support from our General Counsel and legal team. The Managing Director will be responsible for ensuring teams and functions in the Netherlands work in an integrated and matrixed manner and are delivering on the mission and objectives of the global organisation. You will not only have the right experience on paper but also the right personal 'fit' - you will live and breathe our culture and values, with a visible passion for the work we do and a desire to be part of our story. Essential Job ResponsibilitiesStrategy and Vision
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. Knowledge and Experience Has a strong network of relationships and experience building partnerships in The Netherlands Government and other relevant organisations A strategic leader who is deeply embedded in the local political context bringing in innovative thinking to international issues and a passion for changing the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living in crises contexts Experience at influencing change at the governmental level Experience of working on issues of crisis and/or climate and the environment and driving forward global institutional change Experience of working in Africa or the Middle East a plus At least 12 yearsโ experience in working in diverse organisations and associated cultural sensitivity Proven experience with senior level oversight of complex organisations Experience of governance and managing compliance with Dutch charitable requirements Experience managing diverse teams Track record of effective external and internal communications across all levels of a complex organizations Working within matrixed organizationsSuccess FactorsBias for action, diplomacy, relationship-building skills, political savvy and consensus-building across all stakeholder groups are critical to success in this position. Ability to network and build a range of stakeholder relationships. Commitment to continuous learning and development. Comfort operating in a fast-paced, complex and fluid environment, within a matrixed structure, with the ability to successfully multitask and meet all deadlines and team member needs. Ability to match personal work style and approach to build trust and credibility with a diverse array of stakeholders. The successful candidate will be action-oriented, adaptable, results oriented and comfortable with change. they will be able to work productively and meet deadlines with superior organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to successfully juggle multiple priorities and tasks, having an even temper, a problem-solving attitude and the ability to maintain positive relationships under difficult or heated circumstances. They should be able to influence and persuade people at all levels of the organisation and to energise and inspire others, regardless of position, directing their efforts and activities toward a clear outcome. An authentic passion for the work is important along with a resilient spirit and ability to gracefully deal with adversity and ambiguity, making sense out of chaos. They should have the comfort and ability to deal with donors, executives and others with the same level of dignity and respect. Sense of humour is always appreciated.
Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThe position is based in The Hague, The Netherlands and it requires up to 30% travel to (European capitals, the United States and Mercy Corps field locations).
Ongoing LearningIn support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development
Diversity, Equity & InclusionAchieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the worldโs most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment OpportunityMercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & EthicsMercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.