Tracking Code: 218510-927
Job Location: Amman, Amman, Jordan
Position Type: Full-Time/Regular
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
As Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world, the events currently sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa, are rare moments of opportunity. It is imperative that Mercy Corps present itself as a key and reliable partner with various donors, INGOs, government authorities and civil society actors, to be part of the process of positive change. Mercy Corps, with her global experience in working in countries undergoing major transitions, will be a key contributor in the process, bringing knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY
The Emergency Response Program Manager (ERPM) will support management of all activities related to the implementation of funded programs including: 1) program components, 2) budgets, 3) logistics, 4) team management and 5) monitoring and reporting. S/he will also oversee the work of the field staff and will lead field monitoring and program performance by tracking progress toward specified objectives. The ERPM will work with administration of projects and coordinate with supervisors, colleagues and communities regarding security in the field. This position requires strong coordination on security planning, field visits and ensuring safety of staff.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Leadership and Representation
- Provide leadership and direction to all aspects of the program and participate in the design and management of future programs.
- Communicate program goals and objectives with all team members, local beneficiaries, local and central government and the international community.
- Convey information and ideas and effectively coordinate to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
- Develop collaborative relationships among Mercy Corps, communities, local partners and local government.
Program Management
- Coordinate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
- Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on budget using effective M&E systems.
- Ensure community involvement in all phases of the project cycle.
- In close coordination with water authorities and water cluster members, design the plan for the water leak detection and plan for the repair and maintenance activities.
- In close coordination with national staff and water cluster members, help to adapt existing hygiene education and water preservation materials for the local conditions and culture.
- Ensure that agreed upon beneficiary selection criteria are strictly followed to avoid duplication.
- In close coordination with logistics and procurement, lead the process of locally procuring hygiene and non-food items, organize warehousing, unit compiling, and transportation and distribution.
- Ensure a competitive and transparent bidding process in adherence with donor and organizational policies.
- Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
- Ensure full adherence to security plans and protocols.
- Understand that there are complex community and tribal dynamics and the success of a program is dependent on not only technical outputs but the building of relationships.
Team Management
- 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 regular performance reviews.
- Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & 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.
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: 12 staff members for direct supervision
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Head of Office
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program and Program Support teams, as well as Technical Support Units at Headquarters
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- BS/BA in International Development, Engineering or related field. MS/MA preferred.
- At least 3 years of overseas experience managing Emergency programs is required; with particular focus on managing projects with time sensitive deliverables in complex settings.
- Experience with IDP/returnee programming is desired.
- Experience managing government funded projects (e.g. OFDA, ECHO) is essential.
- Experience in highly volatile security situations and a commitment to team safety.
- Demonstrated ability to implement a complex program, manage a range of staff and with strong emphasis on developing their capacities.
- Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and constructively with local partners, including community committees and host governments.
- Commitment to the principles of participatory team management and participatory, community-oriented development.
- Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational skills.
- Prior experience living overseas and ability to work comfortably in the cultural environment is required.
- Fluency in written and spoken English required. Arabic language skills highly desired.
SUCCESS FACTORS
The successful ERPM will recognize that Mercy Corps’ ability to function safely and successfully depends on the ability of staff to understand the context in which programs operate. S/he will apply a strong combination of team leadership, program development and implementation skills and will be able to maintain a sense of humor in stressful conditions. The ERPM will have an excellent understanding of emergency and transitional issues and programmatic approaches and will be able to work across a wide range of stakeholders, working with local community members, governmental authorities, NGO partners, and donors. S/he will bring a positive approach to the job, embracing challenges as opportunities to innovate. S/he will write well and communicate in a manner that is confident and clear, yet diplomatic, enabling him/her to forge positive working relationships with donors and other stakeholders. Finally, the successful Emergency Response Program Manager will work well under pressure in a fluid operating and security environment.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The Emergency Response Program Manager is based in the Middle East with frequent travel. This location is unaccompanied, accommodation is provided in group housing, and the position is eligible for hardship allowance and R&R. Staff will have access to good medical services. Electricity and water may be working only sometimes. Housing is group accommodation with limited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. This position requires regular travel by vehicle to program locations as program and security situation allows.
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. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Social Plugin