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
The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) will play a key leadership role in the implementation of a five-year $41 million USAID Food for Peace Activity to support agriculturalists, agro-pastoralists, and pastoralist households living across the districts of Amudat, Kotido, Kaabong and Moroto in Karamoja.
General Position Summary
The DCoP will assist the COP in program oversight, technical, administrative, operational, and logistical management of the activity. The DCoP will be responsible for field implementation of the program. In the absence of the COP, the DCoP will assume overall responsibility of the activity. The DCOP, with the assistance of other personnel, will provide support and technical assistance to each of the thematic areas including governance, health/nutrition, WASH and market facilitation. The DCOP will also assist in the management of the sub-grantees under the award.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
Support the CoP in developing a vision and strategy for the program shared with program team and key stakeholders.
Play an active role in identifying and developing new initiatives that foster or improve strategic objectives of the program and the country office.
Program Management
With the CoP, support program start-up, management and administration. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
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.
Confirm beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and ensure partner capacity building.
Integrate community approaches, gender and youth sensitivity, a resilience lens and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice in market facilitation, health & nutrition, WASH and governance.
With the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, ensure program staff as well as sub-grantees adhere to USAID monitoring and evaluation requirements and that data analyzed is used to inform programming through adaptive management approaches. Support the CoP where necessary in donor reporting.
With the CoP, supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.
With the CoP and Quality & Partnerships Manager, fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
Team Management
With the CoP, develop the capacity of the program team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
With the CoP, promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
In collaboration with the CoP, 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, & Operations Management
Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to programming and operations
With the support of the Operations Director ensure adequate operational systems are in place to provide for program
Manage program budget(s) as secondary budget holder
Strictly follow Mercy Corps Fraud and Corruption Prevention guidelines.
Influence & Representation
Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the CoP. Primary focus will be district level representation, while COP will be responsible for national level.
Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Security
With the CoP, 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 programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
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
The DCOP will be responsible for managing the program team and operational team ( administration, procurement, logistics) . Program team includes – Team Leaders/Heads of Office in each of the thematic sectors of governance, health/nutrition, WASH and market facilitation. This includes expatriate and national staff. The DCOP is also responsible for the field based coordination, support and oversight of sub-grantees Whave (with support from the MCHN Manager) and Save the Children. The partnership with the learning partner will be handled by Chief of Party
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party
Works Directly With: Other Program Directors or program managers in-country, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit
Knowledge and Experience
MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field [include technical fields as per program].
A minimum of 7 years of overseas experience including 4 years in a senior management position.
Prior experience in managing USAID DFAP programs required.
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 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/FFP compliance issues.
Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
Persuasive written and oral communication in English, including report writing.
Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of the sectors described above.
Experience in Karamoja preferable.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Success Factors: The successful DCoP will combine strong management skills and experience in maintaining staff and partner relationships. S/he will have an 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. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail 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 Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The DCoP is based in Moroto, Karamoja region. The location is unaccompanied and secured. Housing is an organization guesthouse with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff has access to basic services – medical, electricity, water, etc. However, recreational facilities are limited. This position requires significant travel in Karamoja region (60%) and occasional travel to Kampala by road and internal flights to field offices in often-insecure environments. This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short term assignment 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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