Mercy Corps
This position is contingent upon funding and donor approval.
Program/Department Summary:
Mercy Corps works almost exclusively in high-risk conflict and post-conflict environments. While we recognize that these are difficult places to operate, we believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – also offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. We currently implement over 30 peacebuilding programs in some of the world’s toughest places, including Iraq, Somalia, and Sudan. Our current work builds on an exceptionally strong historical foundation. Since the late 1990s, Mercy Corps has implemented over 95 peacebuilding programs in over 30 countries and regions, making Mercy Corps a true leader in the field.
Position summary:
The Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM) Program Manager will have responsibility for the overall achievement of objectives, and the day-to-day administration and implementation of a USAID-funded youth and peacebuilding program. This will include strengthening the capacity of local partners in the areas of youth development, peacebuilding and conflict management, training and curriculum development, reviewing the design and implementation of youth and peacebuilding projects, facilitating clear communication between diverse groups, and ensuring rigorous measurement of program impact and timely reporting.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Management
Manage and oversee all youth development, peacebuilding, conflict management/mitigation program activities in cooperation with key project stakeholders, including local non-governmental organizations, local government officials, community-based organizations, other international agencies on the ground, and key donors;
Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems are in compliance with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Implement and model Mercy Corps’ philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps’ best practices.
Increase staff capacity by designing and leading technical training sessions on conflict management for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and providing ongoing coaching and mentoring.
Promote learning and knowledge management through documentation and knowledge sharing around best practices and lessons learned.
Strategy and Vision
Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.
Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Representation
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
Maintain good working relationships with the donor, the host country government and local leaders, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders.
Team Management
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 performance reviews.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
Supervise and regularly coordinate with project staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
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 towards 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: Project team
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director/Deputy Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Mercy Corps administration, finance and logistics departments. Also works directly with local national staff and affiliated relevant Mercy Corps headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps’ Conflict Management Group and various administrative/financial units.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Masters degree in conflict mitigation, social sciences, international relations or other relevant field preferred.
Minimum 5 years’ relevant professional experience implementing youth-focused peacebuilding programs preferably in insecure urban environments.
Understanding of the separate and distinct way men and women experience the conflict.
Familiarity with the design of early warning systems.
Familiarity with the ‘Do No Harm’, People-to-People and approaches to peacebuilding programs
Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
Experience managing national and international staff.
Familiarity and experience with USAID regulations preferred.
Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Program Manager will have the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership. S/he will demonstrate astuteness to the sensitivities of working on these issues in Zimbabwe and conduct him/herself in a way that will not put him/herself, Mercy Corps colleagues, or beneficiaries at undue risk.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
The exact location of this position is to be determined.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE.
How to apply:
