Multi-Country Director of Programs – Middle East, North Africa & Europe

Description

Location – Amman, Jordan (unaccompanied)

Position Status National and Expat, Full Time, Regular, Exempt

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.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps implements a variety of programming throughout the MENA/Europe region in response to the diverse humanitarian and long-term development needs of the region. Mercy Corps has ongoing programs in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Mercy Corps is committed to delivering high quality, high impact programming that reaches communities or individuals in need, wherever they are.

Mercy Corps just launched its new global ten-year strategy, ’Pathway to Possibility’’, which reflects our ambitions to not only meet basic needs of communities affected by conflict and climate, but to achieve lasting, transformational change at scale. Pathway to Possibility (P2P) includes a three-layers resilience approach at its core and aims to deliver impact through four key outcome areas: Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunity, and Peace and Good Governance. P2P is also driven by five organizational commitments on being climate smart; evidence-driven; safe, diverse and inclusive; locally-led; and innovative and creative.

As a result of recent funding disruptions, Mercy Corps MENAE Leadership has decided to optimize resources and create efficiencies by creating a new structure for smaller country portfolios under the management of the regional team directly. This role is the product of this structural change decision.

General Position Summary

The Multi-country Director of Programs (MC DoP) is a strategic position that has overall responsibility for program design, quality, implementation and compliance and business development for key country programs across the region (Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Yemen). The MC DoP supervises various program teams (Country and Program Managers), ensuring evidence-based and data-driven decision making, using existing systems and processes while introducing new ones as needed to strengthen efficiencies, proper control and oversight. The sizes and complexities of the four country programs require a robust framework for accountability at different levels of decision making supported by the Regional Leadership Team, and targeted support on priority work-streams. Success in the role requires excellent program management skills, solid team management experience and strong leadership qualities, including in remote settings, to provide clear guidance and model behaviour conductive for success. Passion for evidence-based program design, quality-based program implementation, technical excellence and innovative business development mind and skillsets. The MC DoP is expected to maintain, adapt and expand the scale of portfolios through forward-looking business development strategies informed by regular engagements with donors, partners, peer organizations and coordination bodies in close collaboration with the Country or Program Managers in their respective countries. The Multi-country Director of Programs works closely with other members of the Regional Team inspiring a focus on effective delivery and high impact for those we serve. The MC DoP represents Mercy Corps at the highest level and is able to develop, articulate, deliver, and operationalize a strategic vision in line with context shifts and Mercy Corps’ global strategic direction.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGIC VISION & LEADERSHIP

• Lead and adapt as needed the development and operationalization of the countries’ strategies and operational plans, in close collaboration with Country and Program Managers.
• Develop new and innovative program approaches in line with the country strategies based on needs and donors' trends.
• Manage a transition toward more sustainable interventions and refine a system that is agile and responsive to context changes.
• Lead on updating progress against the strategy operational plan for program and field teams.
• Maintain deep understanding of the social, political, environmental and economic context in all countries to inform program performance, relevance, and impact.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps strategy is understood and guides decision-making throughout the response.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

• Oversee the management and implementation of all programs through the direct management of Programs and/or Country Managers.
• Lead program review systems and processes that ensure the right information is available at the right time and at the right level for effective decision making.
• Ensure programs meet donor and internal compliance.
• Ensure sound program cycle management and that programs are delivered on scope, time and budget.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure technical coherence and adherence to global and MC standards for program excellence.

FIELD PROGRAM OVERSIGHT

• Supervise two Country Managers and other Program Managers and coordinate closely with all multi-Country support functions (HR, Operations, Finance, Security) as relevant to ensure close check and controls.
• Ensure strong communication and collaboration lines are maintained with Country/Program Managers and the program field teams.
• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all country programs, with regular visits to various countries and field offices, when possible.
• Ensure that learning from the field contributes to development and implementation of compelling evidence-based products to support business development and advocacy initiatives.

PROGRAM QUALITY, EVIDENCE & LEARNING

• With the support of the Regional Program Teams (Business Development, Award Management, TRaQ and Evidence and Learning), support and guide the Country/Program Managers and their program quality, evidence and learning teams (e.g. MEL, CARM) in establishing systems, policies and approaches necessary to ensure and demonstrate the quality of programs and incorporate learning into decision making.
• Ensure that proper Monitoring and Evaluation tools in line with Mercy Corps guidelines and policies are effectively used by the programs teams.
• Ensure that all the programs team members have received training in line with their level of responsibility and receive technical support relevant to their programs.
• Ensure strong coordination and collaboration is happening between Regional Technical teams and field teams to provide expert advice and ensure technical consistency and soundness across programs.
• Promote an evidence-driven culture, contributing to the establishment of the countries’ evidence and learning priorities, in line with the regional Evidence and Learning Agenda.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Drive Business Development Strategies in each country with the support of the Regional Business Development and Award Management Teams and actively support Country/Program Managers to prioritize proactive and evidence based, participatory program designs.

• Ensure go-no-go decisions remain in line with country office priorities and the strategy.

• Develop strategic donor relationships toward funding the strategy and impact MC wants to achieve in each country.

• Provide leadership and quality assurance on program design processes.

• Apply the agency’s best practices in proposal development efforts for institutional donors.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Foster a creative and solutions-oriented team culture with ownership and accountability at relevant levels of decision making.
• Model a dynamic and reflective leadership approach that drives diversity, debate, respect, and results.
• 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.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Foster inter-department collaboration toward common objectives and a clear vision.

FINANCE AND COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Review country and program department inputs to the quarterly master budget before final submission to finance.
• Ensure new budgets correspond with approved structures and human resource plans.
• Maintain a system for monthly system for budget oversight, analysis, decision making, and proactive adaptation.
• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

• Connect analysis and evidence from the field with advocacy efforts
• Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international stakeholders as needed in close coordination with the Country/Program Managers and the Deputy Regional Director Programs.
• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs, civil society organizations, and academic institutions in close collaboration with Country Managers.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps maintain a high degree of risk awareness and impartiality.
• Respect and understand differing cultural and ethnic differences and nuances and have the ability to navigate between them, recognizing the complexities involved.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, governments and other stakeholders.

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 AFFECTED POPULATIONS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging program participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively learns 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.

Supervisory Responsibility: Country Managers in Lebanon, Yemen and Program Managers in Iraq and Jordan

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Regional Director - Programs

Works Directly With: Country Program Team, Regional Leadership, Regional Program and Technical Team, Regional Support Services Teams, Global Program Technical Teams (TRaQ,  Evidence & Learning, Institutional Donors Engagement), additional global support teams as needed.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required, MA/S preferred.
• Seven years of senior-level leadership and management experience in large and complex programs including humanitarian, resilience, recovery, and development operations.
• Previous experiences working in the MENA region.
• Good technical knowledge in some of Mercy Corps P2P’s outcome areas and other technical focus areas (Food Security, Water Security, Economic Opportunities, Peace & Good Governance, Resilience, Climate, Market Systems Development, Private Sector Engagement, etc...)
• Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, institutions and donors, and of compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and best practices; prior experience with funding from USG, FCDO, ECHO and other leading donors, including Cooperations, Foundations and other private donors.
• Robust experience in developing, operationalizing, and implementing program strategies.
• Demonstrated expertise in representation and negotiation resulting in securing significant new opportunities for the organization.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGOs, NNGOs and other stakeholders in complex environments.
• Experience in managing strategic transitions from humanitarian to early recovery and development, social cohesion programs in a post- conflict transition phase.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Solid project management skills related to diverse and cross-functional teams.
• Experience of solving complex issues collegially, defining a clear way forward, and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required, proficiency in Arabic an asset.

Success Factors

The successful candidate is a decisive, critical, and collegial professional with solid management and leadership skills. They have a thorough understanding of what it takes to deliver impactful programs in challenging environments. They are excellent communicators who can inspire broad and diverse teams towards achieving a shared goal and drive a fast-paced and adaptive program. They are able to create a stimulating working environment encouraging innovation, creativity, ownership and accountability. They are a confident representative in public settings, able to speak up when needed to and influence key stakeholders internally and externally to further and expand Country Programs’ goals in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen. They are able to work effectively with a diverse team in sensitive and highly fluid environments to prioritize team-building and capacity-building of national team members. They have excellent information management skills and is able to translate strategy into action and also an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structures of Mercy Corps in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The MC-DoP position is based in Amman, Jordan. This location is currently an unaccompanied position. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Team Members will have access to medical, electricity, water, etc. This position requires (50% of the time) of travel to field offices, some in insecure environments.

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.

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.

Team Efficiency and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out different 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.

SDG Impact