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 Team:
Mercy Corps has been present in South Sudan since 2005 and acts on behalf of people who have become displaced and disenfranchised by the ongoing conflict. With funding from a multitude of donors including the UK Department for International Development (DFID - FCDO), Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), European Union, NORAD, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Private Foundations, Mercy Corps has been able to empower people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. In South Sudan our work focusing on the delivery of timely humanitarian interventions, improving food security and livelihood options, supporting civil society empowerment, increasing equitable access to safe water and sanitation services, and providing access to safe and protective learning spaces. With emphasis on conflict-affected youth, women, as well as IDPs and host communities, we champion and lead state-of-the art relief and recovery approaches through gender mainstreaming, market systems development, partnership, addressing root causes, adaptive management, and resilience approaches.
The Position About Mercy Corps:
The Director of Programs (DoP) role is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our growing programs in the country. The DoP is a proven leader that is directly responsible for overseeing the portfolio in South Sudan while engaging with donors and partners to lead business development efforts. The role will work closely with the Country Director (CD) to lead new program development and strategy, and ensure effective program coordination and technical support, program quality and accountability in close collaboration with the operations, finance and internal control teams. The DOP may be asked to act as Country Director.
Essential Responsibilities:
Strategy And Vision:
Support Country Director to communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals of Mercy Corps to team members and stakeholders.
Support countrywide program strategy and business development planning and mobilize resources to deliver strategic goals.
Identify opportunities for innovative action, coordination, and collaboration, creating an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
Ensure that analytical, program quality and technical support teams are collaborating with program and other internal stakeholders effectively, adding value to the program and maintaining strategic focus.
Program Development:
In coordination with relevant country, regional and global colleagues, lead the identification of new initiatives and program opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy;
Provide overall leadership to relevant Program teams and MEL teams working on the program development process.
Cultivate strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors.
Program Performance And Quality:
Provide leadership and oversight to program team to ensure program adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.
Support Program Directors/Managers to oversee performance of teams and partners.
Promote a culture of gender-sensitive, and where appropriate, gender-transformative programming.
Support the MEL Manager to put in place effective program quality tools and measures in place and to regularly monitor and improve quality control.
Team Management:
Manage performance of program leaders including establishment of clear and measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and regular check-ins.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Hire, orient and provide mentorship and capacity building to team members as necessary.
Influence And Representation:
Establish close and productive relationships with donors, national/regional/local government authorities, private sector actors, and local/international organizations in South Sudan in close coordination with the Country Director, Heads of Offices, and Program Directors;
Represent Mercy Corps at all relevant coordination meetings and increasingly play a lead role in other advocacy and coordination bodies;
Coordinate with other NGOs to consolidate Mercy Corps’ strategic niche and comparative advantages, while identifying strategic partnerships.
Security:
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills:
BA/S or equivalent in International Development or relevant field. MA preferred
5 – 7 years management experience with specific experience and skills in program development including community-based project design, assessment and evaluation and grants management.
Experience in donor engagement and managing consortiums with international partners and multiple donor experience (USAID, FCDO, EC, ECHO, UN Agences etc.).
Current or previous Mercy Corps experience preferred.
Five years overseas experience including working with diverse, multicultural teams
Proven skills in listening to, learning from, training, and mentoring key staff regarding development and other relevant issues.
Proven success managing the administration and compliance of donor funding and the ability to develop proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission is required.
Solid analysis and strategic planning skills as well as a proven practical and theoretical understanding of the project cycle, issues of community development and relief are necessary.
Proven ability to develop a program and to conceptualize and successfully lead and manage a team throughout the entire program cycle is vital.
Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations, and other groups.
Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
Experience with emergency response and development programs and staff training and
