Program Officer - Asia - Washington DC, Portland, Oregon or US Remote (Eastern Time preferred)

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 Corps implements a variety of programming throughout Asia in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Our portfolio in the Asia region includes ongoing or future programming in the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Georgia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Uzbekistan. Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are. Each region has a dedicated support team and is a component of the larger Regional Program Team (RPT) based in Mercy Corps' headquarters in Portland, Oregon. The Desk is the key point of HQ contact for field management, which includes the Regional Director (RD), Deputy Regional Director (DRD), Country Directors, Program Managers and other Expatriate and National staff. The desk links the individual country programs to a range of U.S. and international resources and represents the region to potential and current funders and to other organizations and institutions in the US. This full-time PO is a key member of the program Desk team.

The Position The Program Officer (PO) will support strategic, impactful, high-quality programming in the Asia Region, particularly in Georgia, Indonesia, and Timor Leste. They will support Country Directors in aspects of their country programs and grant administration, including development, implementation, administration and compliance (especially of The Global Fund-funded grants, US Government-funded grants, e.g. USDS BPRM, USAID/BHA), and will play a key role in connecting field teams to HQ resources. The PO will work with the Senior Program Officer (SPO), Assistant Program Officer (APO), Regional Director (RD), and Deputy Regional Director (DRD) to provide support to the field (ultimate point of responsibility) in adhering to internal and external policies and regulations.

Essential Job Responsibilities PROGRAM & GRANT ADMINISTRATION

• Serve as HQ point of responsibility for overall monitoring on grants/programs for both external/donor requirements as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and requirements.
• Provide ongoing monitoring of the status of programs and complete regular check-ins on grant requirements (such as co-financing/match, BVA, data aggregation, etc.).
• Support country team’s adherence to Mercy Corps internal policies and Program Management minimum standards. As identified, support adherence to Mercy Corps’ Complex Programs management standards. PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
  • Lead HQ coordination for proposals (unless designated otherwise). Throughout the proposal process, monitor the timeline, status of proposal and communicate to the relevant parties as appropriate.
  • The PO ensures that proposals and concept notes are developed in adherence to the defined processes, (such as coordination of calls for proposals.
  • The PO reviews draft proposals for coherence and donor requirements, and manages submission to the donor.
  • They may be appointed a different role in the design process, including taking on lead writing responsibilities, and travel to field if needed. PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT
    • With guidance from the SPO, coordinate partnership negotiation & development, ensuring the necessary teams are engaged, to help further program, country and regional interests. EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION
      • With guidance from the SPO, represent regional interests and programs with external stakeholders, in concert with the field teams. STRATEGY, PLANNING & LEARNING
        • With guidance from the SPO, support country teams with strategy development and planning.
        • Facilitate learning across country portfolios and regions and share lessons learned and knowledge of agency resources/tools/best practices/etc. RECRUITMENT AND ORIENTATION
          • Participate in the interview process, providing contextual information on Mercy Corps’ programs and realities of the position, and selection for key positions as identified with the recruiting team. For senior management field positions, participate in Mercy Corps’ LEAP process and support the process as needed.
          • Provide briefings on context, country strategy and programs to new hires (expats) as initial step in the onboarding process. INTERNAL COMMUNICATION