Mercy Corps Program Performance and Learning Director, Nawiri Program Jobs in Kenya
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To create a better world, 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
Nawiri is a eight year USAID-Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) funded program implemented by a consortium of international and national partners led by Mercy Corps. The goal of the program is to reduce persistent acute malnutrition in the two counties of Turkana and Samburu in northern Kenya. Nawiri has just started its fifth year of implementation which included two and half years of operational research which informed the design of the programs.
Nawiri is a multi -sectoral program that integrates resilient livelihoods, access to improved water, health and sanitation services, strengthening community health systems, conflict and natural resource management, strengthening community and government institutions and systems amongst others.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps is seeking a Program Performance and Learning Director (PPLD), who oversees all program performance, quality and learning functions for the $147 million USAID-Funded Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), Nawiri. Reporting directly to the Chief of Party and as a member of the Nawiri leadership team, s/he will be responsible for building, adapting and implementing the program performance architecture to ensure high quality and effective program delivery and learning.
S/he will be responsible for overseeing and guiding systems, processes and structures responsive to program needs and design, while ensuring accountability and adherence to Mercy Corps’ minimum standards and USG regulations. Ss/he will guide the program in high quality planning and implementation processes backed by standard operating procedures, technical quality standards, activity concept notes, and strong reporting, communications and knowledge management systems. In line with Mercy Corps’ commitment to locally-led development, the PPD will support Nawiri’ partnership engagement through proven organizational capacity strengthening and management tools and processes.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Program Performance Management
In partnership with the CoP, oversee the development and roll out of, as well as compliance with, the program performance architecture, including systems and structures for coordination, decision-making, communication, learning and adaptive management,
Ensure all program meeting and coordination mechanisms are backed by terms of reference with clear roles and responsibilities and systems that support behavior nudges towards update. Proactively raise and address challenges as necessary.
Guide the design, roll out and adherence to tools and processes that facilitate high quality implementation, learning and adaptive management, including standard operating procedures, workflow processes and design, technical quality standards, routine monitoring, and review and reflection.
Maintain program performance metrics in line with Mercy Corps and USAID expectations to track and improve performance and quality.
Lead and oversee all processes related to donor deliverables, including PREP, quarterly reports, Annual Results Report, review and reflection meetings, and key donor workshops coordinating across the leadership team as necessary.
Ensure that program team members are trained in Quality Improvement and Verification Checklist (QIVC), DQA, and the program’s quality assurance charter (QAC) process.
Develop and maintain online quality assurance charter (QAC) system, ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps’ deliverable quality assurance check process.
Partnerships and Representation
Regularly liaise with external stakeholders, including the donor to represent Nawiri’s program performance and systems. Deputize CoP when required.
In partnership with the Director of Implementation and the P4 lead, provide program performance guidance for comprehensive partner support and engagement mechanisms linked to technical and operational performance.
Facilitate the Nawiri Steering Committee meeting and representing the project in project coordination frameworks,
Support the CoP in managing and organizing 4-corners calls, partnering with and including NLT members as necessary to set agenda and address key issues.
Support DoI and P4 Lead with tools and processes to ensure local partners are adequately supported with organizational capacity strengthening assessments and capacity strengthening plan.
Facilitate active management of partner agreements, with regular performance reviews
Develop relationships and linkages with organizations implementing other donor-funded programs allocating grants in the Nawiri participants’ ecosystem.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptive Management
With direct oversight over the MEL Lead, ensure the implementation of program responsive tech-enabled, high performing MEL and SLL systems that support both donor deliverables and regular program learning and adaptive management
Guide and oversee the roll out of a learning agenda for the program; partner across units to ensure appropriate metrics of success and learning protocols are in place, including quantitative and qualitative monitoring tools and research.
Facilitate a culture of curiosity, learning and adaptive work planning and implementation with program teams
Organize and facilitate after-action reviews, regular learning meetings, or strategy workshops.
Oversees and guides the engagement of shared learning with the CRS Nawiri consortium and other partners.
Support and ensure the integrating cross-program learning and new insights in strategy design and implementation.
In collaboration with the MEL and Research team, identify and develop research and learning priorities that are connected to programmatic and country strategic objectives.
Ensure the quality of learning materials, methodologies, and delivery methods used in Strategic Learning meets the program’s standards and objectives.
Knowledge and Experience / Qualification and Transferable Skills
MA/S or equivalent experience in project/program management, social science, political science, international development, or another relevant field.
At least 7 years of experience in international development programming, preferably in Africa.
At least 5 years’ experience with managing USAID projects, including strengths in grant management, coordination and donor reporting.
Extensive experience in and understanding Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, including MEL Tech tools and how to apply them effectively.
Certified in program management and/or proven ability to apply and adapt program management systems and standards for team and program performance.
Proven ability to drive learning agendas and a culture of adaptive management across program teams.
Patient and committed to capacity building, training and coaching of a team with diverse skill sets.
Experience in implementing and managing programs including work-planning, food security, agricultural development, nutrition, governance and resource management.
Demonstrated practitioner level capability in time-based planning tools – such as Microsoft Project or similar – or an in-depth understanding in how to approach their use.
Demonstrable ability to produce high quality deliverables at speed and with minimal direction
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, and the capacity to work at a strategic level with senior leaders (both internal and external) is essential
Ability to multi-task and juggle several tasks and relationships at one time, with little to no direction
Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural teams and with technical and administrative staff and consultants.
Fluent English required and fluent French desirable.
Ability to work in a hardship environment with moderate to high levels of insecurity and significant restrictions on personal movement.
Prior work experience in the DRC and demonstrable understanding of the context a significant advantage
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; Mercy Corps Program Performance and Learning Director, Nawiri Program Jobs in Kenya
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