Mercy Corps is hiring a
About Mercy Corps**
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With 120 staff and offices in Bangui, Bouar, Bambari, Berberati and Bangassou, Mercy Corps works to integrate short-term humanitarian assistance with programs to strengthen community resilience and support market-led economic development, with a cross-cutting accent on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and create institutions to foster long-term development in the sectors of protection and gender-based violence, civil society capacity building, water/sanitation, social cohesion and socioeconomic activities. Funding has come from a range of donors including USAID, the European Commission, OFDA, UNICEF, OCHA, AFD and private foundations. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of sectors, Mercy Corps CAR takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact.
Mercy Corps is seeking a Chief of Party (COP) to lead the implementation of the expected six-year USAID-funded CAR Regional Peacebuilding and Anti-corruption Mechanism. The proposed program will contribute to the national peacebuilding and stabilization process and address the conflict drivers that continue to exacerbate crisis and lay the foundations for peaceful coexistence by establishing and strengthening community peace structures, creating systems to enhance dialogue across communities in conflict and support peaceful conflict resolution, partnering with media and other platforms to disseminate information on the peace process and promote peaceful coexistence, and promoting civic education and enhanced participation of the population, including young Central Africans, in the governance process.
The CoP will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the program, to ensure that it meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The CoP will supervise program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. The COP will be the primary program representative to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and stakeholders.
Regional Peacebuilding and Anticorruption Mechanism team.
Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: Director of Programs, Other CAR Directors, CAR MEL team, CAR finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit
MA/S or equivalent in development studies, international relations, peace and conflict studies, conflict management, agriculture, economic development or other relevant fields.
A minimum of 10 years of relevant development experience.
At least five years in a senior management with experience managing integrated, multi-sectoral programs of a similar size and scope ($25+ million). USAID-funded activities strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build and foster an adaptive team culture and a record of accomplishment in strategic visioning, leadership, and inspiring teams.
Experience managing a consortium or operating within a consortium, ideally USAID-funded.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners
Experience managing complex programmatic and financial reporting requirements, preferable with USAID.
Experience with USAID rules, regulations and requirements is strongly preferred.
Experience working in Africa required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French. English fluency required.
The successful CoP will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. They 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. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous 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.
The position is based in Bangui, Central African Republic and will require up to 50% travel to field offices to support activities, which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. This position is unaccompanied for spouses and/or children. The security situation in CAR can be very volatile with pockets of violent outbursts in various areas of the country. Bangui is generally more stable, however, carjacking and targeted looting do occur on occasion. Hospitals and access to quality health care are very limited. Malaria is prevalent. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable group housing is available. Electricity, clean water and internet can be at times subject to shortages. This position is eligible for hardship.
Mercy Corps’s Field offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices, but limited in guest houses. Travel to other locations will be required where living conditions are clean and secure in basic conditions.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDT 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 et all times and in all in-country.