Humanitarian Assistance Program Manager - Middle East

Title: Humanitarian Assistance Program Manager - Middle East

Tracking Code: 218587-927

Job Location: Amman, ‘Ammān (Al ‘A̅ şimah), Jordan

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for coordinating and implementing interventions for internally displaced and host community households. This position includes daily management of program activities and program staff, ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The PM is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor field team members and is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives.  S/he is responsible for managing relationships with local partners and international colleague agencies, beneficiaries, local authorities and OFDA/USG donor representatives, thus contributing to the achievement of agency goals through innovation, program development and displaying expertise in humanitarian programming. 

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The aim of the nine-month OFDA-funded Humanitarian Assistance project is to provide assistance to 20,000 households principally through partnerships with local relief committees, and technical MC field teams. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Strategy and Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support. 

Personal Leadership

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.

Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Program Management

• Oversee program start-up and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations. 
• 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 that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop partners MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting, distribution process as well as WASH, Psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
• Establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use in coordination with the program staff, including end-user monitoring to ensure that designated households are receiving quantity of intended hygiene items.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure MC has up-to-date information on the affected and targeted community and coordinates beneficiary lists and numbers with different stakeholders.
• Adhere to all MC area of operations and transport/ logistics information related to programming.
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place, including gathering data for case studies.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• 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.

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 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.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

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.

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: A team of nationals, technical support team

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Field-based logistics and finance teams, HQ-based Program Operations, Finance, and TSU staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• A BA/BS or equivalent in international studies, economics or other relevant field; MA/S preferred.
• At least 5 years of international relief and development program management experience, in emergency program management.
• Previous experience in delivery WASH emergency interventions preferred.
• Previous experience in operating and managing teams in conflict and insecure environments, required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles. 
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a program to achieve stated results and objectives.
• Experience with the development, implementation & compliance of USAID (OFDA and FFP)/DFID funded programs.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders. 
• Experience working with host governments, national and international NGOs.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Turkish or Arabic is a plus.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
• Previous experience in insecure environments.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful PM will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships.  S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. S/he will have previous experience in implementing large scale emergency programs in insecure and conflict contexts. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This unaccompanied position will be based in the Middle East with travel as needed.  This position will be required to reside in group housing in an austere environment; successful candidate must be able to work in an environment with power, water, transportation and communication challenges. The team member must follow all security protocols at all times. This position is eligible for R&R breaks and hardship benefits.

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.

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