Mercy Corps-Syria Response Office Hiring for (NWS) Director of Programs. at Amman, Jordan Full Time

About Mercy Corps

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 Summary

Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world. We recognize that instances of sudden change within a country or region are rare moments to enact significant, lasting change. Mercy Corps, with its global experience working in countries undergoing major transitions, brings knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change in Syria. Mercy Corps has been operational in Syria since 2012 and is looking to expand our scope and impact by promoting governance through our work with local civil society actors and community based organizations. We empower and engage citizens by informing and mobilizing communities, and promoting civic engagement. By elevating the voices of vulnerable communities and increasing their inclusion in decision-making, we ensure governance processes are more equitable and effective, empowering communities to tackle the underlying causes of the world’s toughest challenges, working collaboratively to build secure, productive and just communities.

 

The Position

The NWS Director of Programs, under the leadership of the Area Director, will oversee the implementation of the overall Hub program, including core sectors of WASH, Shelter, Cash, Food Security & Livelihoods (including Market Systems Development) and Social Cohesion, delivered directly and through partnerships. The Director of Programs will have the capacity and experience to drive forward a transition from humanitarian programs to those with a longer term focus – both strategically and in terms of implementation. 

The DoP will provide overall program coordination and leadership with a particular emphasis on program integration and program quality, including all necessary cross-cutting aspects, such as Gender, Protection and partnership approaches. The DoP will be accountable for the planning and delivery of MC NWS Programs current portfolio and program growth opportunities.

 

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Demonstrate visible leadership and adherence to Mercy Corps’ core values, principles and strategy;
• Ensure that all programs are implemented to the highest standards that adhere to industry norms/regulations, while working in a challenging environment;
• Ensure program objectives across all MC NWS Program portfolios and deadlines are tracked and met;
• Ensure that activity design and implementation addresses gender and protection dynamics to ensure equitable participation in all MC NWS Program interventions;
• Oversee the performance of the MC NWS Area Field Offices and partners;
• Ensure partner capacity building schemes are taking place, closely collaborating with WoS Partnership Director and teams;
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donors obligations are met;
• Ensure all program management minimum standards are met including risk management;
• Ensure project and program staffing is fit-for-purpose, flexible, and relevant for near and medium-term purposes and plans.

 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION

• Oversee program management of teams across various field locations, including start-up;
• Set direction by planning, prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to MC NWS Strategy implementation;
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan;
• Ensure all programs and projects are well coordinated with each other and work towards a coordinated and integrated approach;
• Work closely with the Area Director and Support Service Director to support the integration of programs with the other departments;
• Work with the PaQ department to ensure monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), gender and protection mainstreaming are integrated across the program;
• Coordinate and oversee quality programming – in collaboration with the PaQ Manager and the Technical Advisors, to ensure MC NWS programs are meeting minimum standards and are quality and evidence driven across all stages of the programs cycle.
• Coordinate and oversee grants developments and reporting deadlines – and any other tasks – in collaboration with the Grants Manager, to ensure timely and high quality inputs are provided;
• Actively support team members in all Sectoral Coordination platforms to ensure Mercy Corps NWS is inputting regularly all on coordination requirements (meetings, Action Points, 4Ws etc…);
• Work closely with the Area Director in all areas and phases of the program cycle.

 

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect and motivation where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular team meetings and performance reviews;
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives;
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Provide ongoing capacity building to the whole Emergency Team members with a view to expanding the national staff’s skills, knowledge and performance and nationalize the position over time.

 

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to all MC NWS humanitarian programs;
• Recognize the high level of donor scrutiny imposed on Syrian programming and ensure continuing effective, transparent and responsive compliance mechanisms are in place;
• Maintain oversight of overall program budgets ensuring appropriate allocation of resources to meet program objectives;
• Organize and lead the Program team in BVAs on a monthly basis;
• Ensure adequate technical, analytical and administrative support for programs;
• Work closely with all departments, primarily Finance and Procurement, in ensuring financial streams and timelines are followed up properly to avoid any delay in implementation and payments.
• Manage budgets effectively to ensure programs remain on scope, on target and on budget

 

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with NGO partners, sub-grantees and other stakeholders as required;
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Interact with donors and external actors professionally to represent the program and advocate for the rights and needs of the vulnerable communities we aim to serve.

 

ORGANISATIONAL 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 themselve

 

Supervisory Responsibility

WASH & Shelter PM, Cash PM, Peace & Conflict PM, Gender Mainstreaming Coordinator, other Program Managers as they come onboard

Accountability

Reports Directly To: NWS AD

Works Directly With: PaQ Manager and PaQ Team, Grants Manager, Budgeting and Financial Analysis Specialist, Technical Advisers, Sr HR Manager, Security Coordinator

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

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required, MA/S preferred;
• Experience working with leading US and European governmental/institutional donors and UN pooled funds and agencies;
• At least 7 years of senior-level leadership and management experience in large and complex programs including humanitarian operations, previous work experience in Syria is preferred;
• Relevant knowledge and experience in at least one of the relevant technical sectors
• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, institutions and donors, and of compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and best practices;
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with INGO and NGO partners, humanitarian coordination fora, local authorities, and other stakeholders in complex environments;
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to motivate and bring team cohesion;
• Demonstrated financial management experience;
• Very solid project management skills related to international working environments, cross-functional coordination, and matrix management;
• Experience of solving complex issues collegially, defining a clear way forward, and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success;
• Highly-developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing and negotiation;
• Proficiency in oral and written English skills.

 

Success Factors

The DoP needs to be able to work in a fast paced, complex emergency environment, where needs, context, and donor requirements change on a regular basis. The DoP must have the ability to balance multiple concurrent priorities and workstreams with strategy and medium-term planning. S/he will need to combine strong collaborative working skills with an ability to implement programs successfully. S/he will demonstrate adaptability, flexibility in approach and a strong sense of equity. In meeting these challenges, S/he will be able to support the team to be able to self-develop and grow with the program. S/he will have both a strong coaching and mentoring capability and be able to work effectively with a remote team in a sensitive environment and continually prioritise team-building and capacity-building of staff. S/he has excellent information management skills and is a strategic thinker. S/he has an outstanding ability to coordinate, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and support the future program structure of Mercy Corps in Syria.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

 

How to Apply:

Deadline to apply for this position: April 20, 2022 *If you are interested, kindly apply as soon as possible, since resumes will be reviewed on rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted before the submission deadline.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women, to apply.”

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.