DEPUTY DIRECTOR – GAZA ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES

Description

***The position is contingent on funding approval

Location Gaza, Palestine

Position Status Full-time, Exempt, Regular

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.

Program / Department Summary

Since 1986, Mercy Corps has helped Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza access critical services and become more economically self-sufficient focusing its interventions on WASH, community crisis resilience, economic opportunities, and cash programming. In 2025, Mercy Corps will be hosting a role of the Association of International Development Agencies.

The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) is a membership-based coordination forum, comprised of more than 80 international non-governmental and non-profit member organizations (INGOs), which share common values and interest in promoting quality development and humanitarian programs in the oPt. AIDA is supported by a professional Secretariat and governed by an Executive Committee (ExCom), which is elected by and from its member organisations.

AIDA strengthens the collective influence and relevance of international NGOs, together with their national partners, in the oPt, by leading collective advocacy, coordinating to address operational challenges, and promoting programming effectiveness and quality. AIDA members contribute to an environment in which humanitarian, development and civil society organisations operate efficiently, deliver effective programming, and are able to raise their voices to influence policy to foster sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and the full realisation of human rights in the oPt.

General Position Summary

The AIDA Deputy Director – Gaza, serves as the Head of Office for AIDA Gaza and reports directly to the AIDA Executive Director. The Deputy Director will fill in remotely or in person as needed for the AIDA Director. The Deputy Director will be responsible for all INGO coordination and engagement with UN and member agencies for AIDA in Gaza. This includes managing the AIDA Gaza Deputy Coordinator. The Deputy Director will be responsible for:

• High level representation of INGOs in Gaza through Heads of Agency meeting, regular engagement with the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator. The Deputy Director will chair the weekly AIDA INGO Coordination meeting and liaise directly relevant working groups including advocacy, operations, access, safety and security – among other issues.
• Compliance and Reporting with AIDA donor requirements and grants
• Leading engagement with the Palestinian NGO Forum (PNGO) to ensure prioritisation of localization and Grand Bargain commitments of INGO partners.
• Act as a primary spokesperson for AIDA in Gaza to media and other external audience
• Contextual analysis and contingency planning.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate INGO coordination in Gaza identifying gaps, duplication, and opportunities for enhanced coordination.

• Ensure high-level representation in key decision-making platforms, such as the ICCG

• Support advocacy efforts on critical topics, such as returns/relocations, protection, and durable solutions.

• Travel regularly to engage with members and external stakeholders in field locations.

• Facilitate coordination meetings, thematic discussions, and planning sessions to support INGO operations and engagement with external stakeholders.

• Participate in/lead key task forces and working groups, such as those dedicated to access and protection.

• Identify strategies to support collaborative and principled work among INGOs, prioritizing the needs of affected populations.

• Stay informed on political, humanitarian, and security contexts and provide updates to the INGO Forum members and secretariat.

• Facilitate representation of the INGO Forum through bilateral engagement with key actors.

• Provide linkages between INGO and NNGO networks and identify collaboration opportunities.

• Participate in drafting context updates, policy briefs, and talking points.

• Maintain updated stakeholder mappings to inform strategic engagement.

• Maintain and develop induction and guidance materials for new members and staff.

• Manage the INGO Forum office in Gaza and its personnel.

• Ensure compliance with donor and host agency regulations, including security procedures.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options.

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 toward 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

AIDA Gaza Deputy Coordinator

Accountability

Reports Directly To: AIDA Director

Works Directly With: AIDA members, UN agencies, AIDA secretariat and Executive Committee

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree in relevant field or undergraduate degree with significant field experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in humanitarian /development aid, preferably within complex emergencies and/or access-constrained/insecure areas.
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in a senior leadership position with an INGO at either head of unit or deputy country director level.
• Demonstratable knowledge of key thematic areas including access, protection, and humanitarian aid architecture in conflict settings.
• Experience in direct security or access related roles highly desirable
• Experience in budget and grant management and donor reporting.
• A proven track record of success working in INGO coordination in complex environments.
• Understanding, experience and knowledge of the humanitarian coordination system.
• Experience working in UN coordination/OCHA desirable.
• Proven ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communicating, briefing and public-speaking skills with a demonstrated history of building agreement and consensus among a diverse arrange of actors.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to present and represent collective views to various stakeholders.
• Prior experience with INGO consortia/forums is desirable.
• Experience influencing policy change and practice is required
• Experience in the oPts desirable
• Experience working with national and local partners and NGO forums highly desirable
• Arabic language skills are desirable.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will combine exceptional management skills, analysis skills and experience in maintaining stakeholder and partner relationships. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps teammembers 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 Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Gaza and it requires up to 50% travel across Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank to support teams and country programs, which will include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual apartments, and shared housing inside Gaza. Access to medical care in Gaza is extremely limited, but adequate medical services are available when outside of Gaza.

Gaza is an unaccompanied location.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision.  Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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. By applying for this role an applicant confirms that they have not previously violated an employer’s sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding or trafficking policy. 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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).