Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive โ and then thrive. Thatโs the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity. Throughout our history, Mercy Corps has demonstrated innovation, timeliness, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing realities.
Mercy Corps has worked in Tanzania since 2006, focusing primarily on three thematic areas: (1) food security, (2) governance and peace, and (3) economic opportunity and livelihoods. Youth and women are at the center of all programming in Tanzania. Through these programmes Mercy Corps supports and builds the capacity of government at the national and local levels, and of communities - making sure that they can address the challenges facing them. The Agrifin programme for example connects smallholder farmers with technology and financial services to boost productivity. Mercy Corps Tanzania is part of the FCDO-funded Collective Resilience Against Extremism (CREATE), a multi-country program that aims to mitigate the drivers, enablers, and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa (targeting Mtwara, Kigoma, Mwanza, and Tanga in Tanzania specifically). Through localized strategies, CREATE focuses on strengthening and supporting societal bonds to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals to violent extremist organizations.
The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)
Funded by the UKโs Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the anticipated WAJIBIKA programme will promote a more open, inclusive society in Tanzania where government demonstrates greater accountability to the needs of its citizens. Wajibika will deliver this impact via three strategic outcomes to support 1) effective civic space and inclusive political processes 2) media freedom and access to information, and 3) Government of Tanzania (GoT) knowledge, will, and capacity for public service reforms. Wajibika is divided into three components aligned with the three outcomes. The first two components require indicative activities and delivery partners to be outlined at the bidding stage. The final component is a flexible, demand-led facility to tactically support GoT, FCDO, and SDC with research and technical assistance to drive governance innovation.
The Position
Mercy Corps is seeking candidates for a Senior Programme Manager (SPM) who will lead on all programme management, compliance, and finance requirements of an expected five-year FCDO and Swiss Government-supported Wajibika Programme in Tanzania. The Senior Programme Manager will be FCDOโs primary contact point for all issues relating to programme management, financial management, risk management, asset management, delivery chain mapping, routine contract management, financial and progress reporting, governance and compliance.
Essential Responsibilities
PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
โ Ensure that programme delivery is accurately at pace and in line with FCDO principles, standards and guidance.
โ Ensure effective management and co-ordination of the programme management team.
โ Lead the communication with FCDO by quickly, accurately, and fully responding to client queries.
โ Proactively foresee FCDO questions and provide key information to enable decisions including on programme adaptation, critically appraising progress, troubleshooting programme issues and escalating delivery risks as appropriate.
โ Oversight of any risks and issues arising, maintaining an up-to-date risk register and developing strategies for risk mitigation.
โ Maintaining a broad yet working level knowledge of all aspects of the programme.
โ Ensure timely and well managed procurement of services to deliver the programme in line with FCDO systems and guidance.
โ Coordinate Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) functions for the team.
โ Ensure that learning is fed back into the programme to inform course correction and adaptive programming.
โ Lead the production of project reports ensuring quality standards within the agreed deadlines, in coordination with the Senior Public Sector and GIF Lead.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
โ Work with partners to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and forecasting.
โ Ensure that the team is consistently practicing sound financial management using appropriate tools and practices.
GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE
โ Leading on Due Diligence Assessments and ensuring Value for Money is demonstrated.
Supervisory Responsibility
Finance and Admin Lead; MEAL and Communication Lead.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Programme Director
Works Directly With: Finance and Admin Lead, MEAL and Communication Lead, Country Director, Finance and Operations teams, Senior Public and Sector anf GIF Lead. Coordinates with HQ Program Performance team and the Technical Support Unit.
Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
โ Masterโs degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, law, development studies, etc. However, a bachelorโs degree and five (5) additional years of relevant international development experience can be substituted for the Masterโs degree.
โ At least seven-ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with a specific focus on civil society, media, and public sector governance.
โ Experience working in the government sector in East Africa is essential; Tanzania experience is preferred.
โ Proven relevant expertise in programme management of large and complex programmes in consortia in high-pressure operating environments.
โ Experience working on FCDO programs preferred.
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