Mercy Corps Director of Programs Jobs in Ethiopia
The Position
Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004, working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with the government, the private sector, and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises.
Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.
Currently, we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations (UN), European Union, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Hilton Foundation, and other foundations.
Essential Responsibilities
Strategy, Vision & Leadership
In partnership with the Country Director and Senior Management Team (SMT), ensure the development of the country-wide strategic plan that reflects the portfolio of programs, including development of annual Fiscal Year Plans and sector strategies.
Ensure program portfolio champions Mercy Corps’ Pathway to Possibilities (P2P) approach and leverages the agency expertise around markets in crisis.
In partnership with the PaQ team, ensure cross portfolio and program communication and learning.
In partnership with SMT, organize and facilitate country-level platforms for exchange, including senior management meetings and other methods of engagement.
Ensure integration and linkages across portfolios of work, programs and field offices.
In partnership with the Country Director and with assistance from SMT, lead new business development initiatives including managing and coordinating proposal development efforts, donor engagement and communications.
Ensure new business opportunities are in line with Mercy Corps Ethiopia’s strategic vision and deliver impact, fulfill donor requirements and address the local needs of communities.
Continue to look for new and innovative opportunities and ensure ongoing development of an idea/innovation pipeline to push forward innovations.
Quality Portfolio Management & Implementation
Ensure programs are implemented in ways that are responsive to the communities, in line with Mercy Corps’ principles, values and strategic planning, and follow Mercy Corps’ compliance procedures.
In partnership with the PaQ team, ensure that programs are managed and meet the minimum standards for program management at Mercy Corps (PM@MC).
Ensure teams have access to essential technical expertise and support with an emphasis on market systems, economic and micro enterprise development technical support.
Ensure all program leads are using program management tools to ensure programming is on-time, on-scope and on-budget and using effective operational systems, including finance, logistics, security, and administration.
Ensure programs are coordinated and create opportunities for strategic discussion from the field teams to management and vice versa on implementation issues.
Ensure the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team and all program teams understand, appreciate and utilize our project design, monitoring, learning, accountability, and documentation tools and system.
Ensure that projects and programs receive necessary technical support by: identifying, organizing, and when appropriate delivering trainings, cross-learning exchanges, and information sharing; encouraging and supporting self-directed learning.
Ensure regular field monitoring visits and provide feedback in ways that improve both project and program level progress, impact, influence, and innovation.
Business Development
Drive a resource development strategy to ensure the portfolio remains funded and aligned with P2P strategy.
Pro-actively identify new business opportunities and translate these into concepts.
Maintain a business development tracking system that captures priorities of key in country donors.
Lead / write new proposal development to ensure a fully funded portfolio.
Team Management & Commitment to Team Development
Directly supervise relevant Program Managers, Directors, and/or Deputy Directors, both national and expatriate staff.
Ensure program team members have Individual Operating Plans (IOPs) and are reviewed and provided with feedback on a formal and regular basis.
Participate in recruitment and selection, orientation and training of key personnel.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via performance reviews.
Finance & Compliance Management
Collaborate with program, finance and operations staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Support Program Managers to appropriately manage their budgets through regular budget vs actual reviews and follow up action items.
Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
Influence & Representation
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, private sector partners, local governments and other stakeholders.
Ensure that all programs produce professional quality reports and communications materials; that publishable results are disseminated strategically and effectively; and that Mercy Corps is a ‘thought leader’ in its strategic technical areas.
Ensure effective, consistent and timely communication with donors and project partners.
Maintain excellent relationships with donors, the host country government and local leaders, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders.
Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices to internal and external stakeholders, including at international conferences and similar forums.
In partnership with the PaQ Director and Country Director develop an influence plan and strategy.
Ensure visibility of Ethiopia programs, both internally and externally.
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
MA/S or equivalent in management, international development or other relevant field; some economic development studies required.
7-10 years’ experience administering donor grants for a variety of sectoral areas; specific experience in market systems and economic development and micro enterprise development.
7-10 years’ demonstrated ability to build staff capacity in cross-cultural settings as well as excellent team-building and interpersonal skills.
5-7 years of field experience, in positions of increasing responsibility.
Verifiable record of developing successful proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission.
5-7 years’ experience with donor requirements of USAID/USG, SIDA, DFID, corporations, private donors and/or foundations.
History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; Mercy Corps Director of Programs Jobs in Ethiopia
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