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.
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, or trapped behind frontlines. In 2022 and 2023, MCโs Ukraine response reached more than 2.5 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. Building on the successes and lessons learned of the original Locally led, Inclusive and Versatile Emergency Support to Conflict Affected Populations in Ukraine and Poland program (LIVES), under LIVES 2.0 Mercy Corps will continue to work with CSO partners to deliver a comprehensive package of emergency assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected individuals and communities in Ukraine. With a focus on reaching those most in need in frontline, recently de-occupied or hard-to-reach areas, Mercy Corps and our local partners aim to reach over 80,000 individuals with emergency cash and other humanitarian aid. Another principal objective of LIVES 2.0 is to support local partners with the resources they need to grow their knowledge of, leadership in, and capacity to deliver the humanitarian response. The overall outcome is โThe most vulnerable conflict-affected Ukrainians are enabled to meet their basic needs through rapid, localized and appropriate humanitarian assistance, delivered in a gender, age, and ability responsive way.โ General Position Summary Mercy Corps requires a strong Program Manager (PM) who ensures the efficient and effective implementation of the LIVES 2.0 program in Ukraine. The Manager is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the program, including daily management of program activities and coordination across departments, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The PM is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members in Ukraine, with a specific aim to build the capacity of the Deputy Program Manager to transition into the Program Manager role. ThePM is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. The PM is responsible for managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders including maintaining close working relationship with technical teams and the regional program team at HQ as well as the donor. Essential Job Responsibilities Strategy & Vision
Implement Mercy Corps strategic vision and provide operational leadership to the implementation of Mercy Corps activities under the FCDO/LIVES 2.0 program.
Provide structure to the existing activities and response mechanisms to reinforce program quality while ensuring the programs swiftly responds to needs.
Work closely with Deputy Program Manager to provide mentorship and support so the Deputy Program Manager is progressively equipped to assume program management responsibilities.
Support team members through capacity strengthening opportunities. Program Management
Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, participant targeting SOPs, and clear distribution procedures.
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.
Fulfill Mercy Corpsโ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
Work with program teams to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated way according to workplan and budget.
Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donors and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. This includes careful budget management/oversight through coordination of monthly budget vs actuals meetings and accurate monthly forecasting, seeking input across departments.
Ensure that participants are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria, and that feedback mechanisms are in place.
Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corpsโ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.
Oversee the production of written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities. Team Management
Work with program and PAQ teams to hire and orient team members for the FCDO program.
Facilitate FCDO specific progress team meetings and ensure all workplans of the various departments are harmonized.
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, and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations.
Coordinate with teams on support gaps and needs, providing back-stopping support for urgent tasks Influence & Representation
In close consultation and collaboration with the Humanitarian Team Lead and Director of Programs, act as main focal point and liaison for FCDO and other external stakeholders.
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. Security
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies, working with Partnerships Team to ensure duty of care to partners.
Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members. Accountability to partners
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our partners and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Supervisory ResponsibilityDeputy Program Manager Accountability Reports Directly To: Humanitarian Team Lead Works Directly With: Director of Programs, Cash/NFI Program Manager, Partnerships Program Manager, MEL manager, Cash/NFI Technical Advisor, Protection Advisor, Grants & Reporting Lead. Knowledge and Experience
3 to 5 years of experience in managing programs in emergency contexts, with proven track record.
Project DPro Certificate required (or willingness to complete within first months of joining)
Experience with partner-led programming and localization methodologies, demonstrated ability to implement these practices
Strong understanding of cash, NFI, and rapid response programming
Can oversee program budgets, project cash flow and expenditures
Understands donor regulations and compliance (FCDO)