CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Mercy Corps
Country: Niger
Closing date: 07 Dec 2014

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been operational in Niger since September 2005. Current areas of focus include food security, agriculture and livestock development, health and nutrition, livelihoods and economic recovery, governance, and emergency response. The goal of Mercy Corps in Niger is to support vulnerable, at risk communities to recover from shocks and exclusion and secure viable opportunities for sustainable economic development. While Mercy Corps currently focuses mostly on the above activities, we are increasingly shifting towards integrated development programming with a focus on sustainable livelihoods, resilience-building, and economic development.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Deputy Country Director (DCD) will work closely with the Country Director (CD) and program team to lead new program development and ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability in close collaboration with the operations team. The position will be based in Niamey, with regular travel to the field sites. S/he will help represent the Mercy Corps programs to donors, other NGOs and stakeholders, thematic clusters, relevant government authorities, and other program partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Development

• Lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy, in coordination with the Country Director and Program Managers, as well as the Africa-based Regional Program Director, headquarters-based Senior Program Officer, Technical Advisors and other relevant staff.
• Plan and lead the country team to assess the needs for program design, evaluate, analyze and further develop a multi-year country specific strategic plan for Niger, in line with the regional value propositions and MC global strategy.
• Lead the development of solicited and unsolicited proposals and concept notes.

Coordination and Representation

• Establish close and productive relationships with donors, national government authorities, and cluster members (UN and NGO) in Niamey, in close coordination with the Country Director.
• Represent Mercy Corps at all relevant coordination meetings in Niamey (GDCI/Heads of Missions, Clusters, Humanitarian Advocacy Group, etc.), and increasingly play a lead role in other advocacy and coordination bodies.
• Coordinate with other NGOs in Niger to consolidate Mercy Corps’ comparative advantage, while identifying new strategic partnerships.

Program Coordination

• Provide leadership in all aspects of program coordination to ensure consistent quality, including the incorporation of cross-cutting themes, quality data analysis, lessons learned and best practices.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps’ principles, values, global strategic roadmap, and Niger country strategy.
• Work with Program Directors and Managers to monitor adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations;
• Support Program Directors and Managers to oversee performance of partners, sub-grantees, and technical contractors.
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching.
• Build up programs’ staff capacity and ensure effective and qualitative program implementation

Program Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

• Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and analysis systems are in place, adhered to and used as a decision-making tool, encouraging consistency across programs.
• Work with the Country Director to roll out and monitor Mission Metrics across all programs and develop a global M&E system with existing M&E staff.
• Provide ongoing training and guidance to staff on M&E best practices.

Program Reporting

• Ensure that donor reports produced by the Programs team that effectively demonstrate the impact of Mercy Corps’ program interventions.
• Work with Program Managers to put in place a tool for an easy tracking upcoming donor reports.
• Review all reports to ensure a high-quality product (in either English or French, depending on the donor).

Program Support Operations

• Work closely with the Operations Head and Finance Director to ensure that operational and financial management systems are responsive to program needs and that program staff are adhering to both donor and Mercy Corps’ procedures and regulations.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to ensure that programs are contributing to and responding to safety and security plans and procedures.
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.

Other

• Conduct him/herself professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically 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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Technical Advisors, Program Directors and Managers

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Niger-based department heads, program team, finance and operational staff; HQ Regional Program Team (SPO & APO); Technical Support Unit; Resource Development Department

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field. MA/S preferred.
• 5 - 7 years of overseas experience including at least 3 years in a senior management position.
• Experience managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas affected chronic food and nutritional insecurity, climate change, cycles of drought, etc.
• Previous experience working in Francophone Africa is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in program design, proposal writing and development, and donor reporting.
• Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including food security in complex food/nutritional insecurity environment, agriculture, economic recovery, environment, livelihoods, financial services, and/or services for extremely food insecure populations.
• Strong M&E skills.
• Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.
• Strong management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Skilled in partnering with private sector and civil society organizations, public/government entities, local NGOs, etc.
• Fluency in written and oral French and English is required.
• Strong knowledge and experience of the Sahel context is a great advantage.
• Solid knowledge of and experience with security protocols is essential.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful DCD will have senior level experience in coordinating and managing programs in complex areas affected by chronic food and nutritional insecurity and climate change patterns. S/he will have exceptional program development and proposal writing skills, and an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams, with strong leadership, communication and mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. Patience, tenacity, diplomacy and a sense of humor will contribute to success.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The position is based in Niamey, Niger and is entitled to individual housing and is not eligible for R&R and hardship. This is an accompanied post. While the security situation is volatile in the Sahel regions, security is quite stable in Niamey. International schools are available. There is good access to electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods in Niamey. Travel to field sites (40%) will be required, where living conditions (water, electricity, food) are basic in some places.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

How to apply:

Please apply directly at:
http://mercycorps.silkroad.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjo...