Deputy Chief of Party - Finance and Operations, USAID-Funded Integrated Nutrition Activity

**This position is pending funding - RFA expected July 3rd 2023

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.

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps is seeking an experienced Deputy Chief of Party - Finance and Operations (DCoP Finance & Ops) to provide financial and operational management support to the implementation of the anticipated, five-year, USAID-funded Integrated Nutrition Activity (INA) in Nepal. INA’s primary goal is to improve nutrition status of women, adolescents, and children in Nepal’s underserved and marginalized communities. The Activity will tackle direct and underlying determinants of malnutrition in Nepal while strengthening the national and local enabling environment through four synergistic Intermediate Results:

1. Improved household nutrition practices;
2. Improved quality and coverage of nutrition services for women, adolescents, and children;
3. Improved access to safe, diverse, and nutritious foods;
4. Strengthened national capacity for multi-sectoral nutrition programming

The Position

In close coordination with the Chief of Party and the Activity’s senior leadership, the DCoP Finance & Ops will support the overall leadership and management of INA. S/he will supervise INA’s administrative, financial, human resources, logistics, procurement, and security staff and lead the set up and management of robust systems and procedures for program management, including management of subawards and subgrants. S/he will be responsible for ensuring that financial and operational systems and procedures comply with all internal and donor rules and regulations and effectively support technical implementation from the Kathmandu headquarters and regional field offices. The DCoP Finance & Ops will also train, mentor, and coach staff and collaborate closely with Mercy Corps’ global and Nepal-based finance and operations teams. S/he will report to the Chief of Party.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND PLANNING

• Under the guidance of the CoP, set direction by prioritizing and organizing staff, tasks, and resources to achieve program objectives.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Foster a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting for program effectiveness throughout the program lifecycle

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Responsible for overseeing the Activity’s financial and operational functions, including management of subawards and subgrants.
• Lead set up, management, and ongoing improvement of administrative, financial, human resources, logistics, procurement, and security systems and procedures.
• Supervise finance and operations staff across multiple program offices to ensure that staff, systems, and procedures support technical implementation.
• Collaborate closely with the CoP and the Activity’s senior leadership to ensure that Activity implementation is on time, target, and budget.
• Oversee organizational development and capacity strengthening initiatives, including training, for Activity partners, subawardees, and subgrantees.
• Ensure that program operations are responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards, and strategic plan.
• Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Hire, orient, and lead team members as necessary.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations.
• Set up and manage, systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor, and Mercy Corps’ needs.
• Collaborate closely with Mercy Corps’ global and Nepal-based finance and operations teams.

SECURITY

• Oversee the Activity’s procedures, systems, and staff. Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
• Ensure that program activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Supervisory Responsibility

Expected to supervise several direct reports. The number of direct and indirect reports will be determined at a later stage.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: INA Chief of Party

Works Directly With: INA Deputy Chief of Party - Technical Director; Mercy Corps Nepal Country Director, Director of Programs, Internal Auditor, MEL Director, Program Managers, Finance and Compliance Teams, HR, and Operations Teams; HQ Regional Program Teams and HQ and Regional Technical Support Unit

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 in development studies, international relations, business administration, finance, or related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience implementing donor-funded programs, preferably in Nepal, with prior experience in financial and operations management roles.
• A minimum of 3 years in a management role, preferably a senior management role on a large ($50+ million) and complex USAID-funded program.
• Strong skills and a track record in strategic visioning, leadership, and inspiring teams.
• Effective personnel management, coordination, and decision-making skills, with proven ability to be accountable for all financial and operational components of the program.
• Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation, and other techniques.
• Strong understanding of USAID rules, regulations, and compliance issues.
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Persuasive written and oral communication in English, including report writing.
• Fluency in Nepali preferred.

Success Factors

The successful DCOP Finance & Ops 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 strengthening, 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. He/she will also see the program as part of wider Mercy Corps Nepal and Mercy Corps global programs, and be excited to engage at a country office and organizational level.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Kathmandu, Nepal, with significant travel required to program locations across the country. For international candidates, this is an accompanied position with housing in individual accommodation and unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house and office. Kathmandu is a culturally dynamic capital city that can provide a safe and comfortable living environment, including for families, though a sense of patience with routine power cuts, water shortages, air pollution, and traffic is required. There are many international schools in Nepal, including both American and British system programs. Staff have full access to all services, such as medical, electricity, water, and internet. This position requires 50% travel (or more) to field offices and locations, some of which are easily accessible but many others of which are remote and require extended travel (by medium or small aircraft, vehicle on rough, windy, and/or elevated roads, and hiking) in areas that may be distant from amenities or healthcare. Climate conditions can include exceptional heat or cold, with some field sites at higher altitudes. This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme**.** 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.