PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operating in Iraq since 2003 and currently implements programs with funding from USAID, US Department of State, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the UN and others with staff in three regional offices, in Basrah, Sulaimaniyah and Baghdad, and several sub-offices throughout the country. While much of Mercy Corps’ work in Iraq to date has focused on addressing the emergency needs of the Iraqi people, increasingly Mercy Corps is focusing its efforts on helping Iraq build a new future through development programs.
With the common goal of strengthening communities and local governance, Mercy Corps’ current activities span many sectors, including economic recovery and market systems, negotiation and peace building; women and youth empowerment and civil society development. During this critical period of transition in Iraq, Mercy Corps is working closely with its Iraqi partners – government and non-government - local communities, and the private sector to develop strategies for successfully transitioning from humanitarian oriented activities to approaches that emphasize good governance, economic development, and peace-building.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to Country Director (CD), the Deputy Country Director will have the overall responsibility for program results in the arenas of economic development and peace-building across the country; ensuring high program quality and compliance with Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. The DCD will provide strategic and operational support to MC’s large civil society program, led by the CD.
The DCD will help to shape the strategic direction and management structure of all programs in Iraq and will be responsible for strategic and program planning, monitoring and evaluation, staff security and human resource management and representation. The ability to adequately manage the ongoing activities and identify new opportunities in this highly complex environment, while being aware of the extremely sensitive politics, will be crucial. Working closely with the CD, the DCD will ensure that country program operations are of the highest quality and standards. The DCD will work the CD and Regional Program Director and HQ to identify and cultivate new funding opportunities, and he/she will manage existing relationships with key institutional and private sector donors. [Describe overview of job mission]
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Strategy and Vision
- Manage Iraq program growth with an eye to quality, efficiency and sustainability, as well as new opportunities.
- With the CD, work to design new initiatives and open new avenues for funding.
- Assist with developing program strategies which animate and maximize internal and external resources and relationships.
Program Management
- Manage all aspects of quality program design and implementation; establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring/evaluation systems for internal and external use, ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources in compliance with Mercy Corps’ and donor policies and procedures.
- Ensure all project and programs adhere to MC Project Management minimum standards.
- Oversee and manage daily programmatic functions, including oversight of proposal drafting, program implementation, program reporting, daily administration of grants, and oversight of expatriate and national staff.
- Understand and incorporate resources, systems and structures available from Mercy Corps world-wide.
- Ensure timely and targeted communication and information flow to all internal and external parties and coordination with Mercy Corps HQ offices, keeping the CD, and other program partners, and donors.
- Document lessons learned and best practices for dissemination within Mercy Corps, to donors and to other agencies and interested parties, and ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in Iraq.
- Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules and regulations; compile and update applicable local policies; and train Mercy Corps program and partner staff in these policies.
- Work closely with the CD and senior management team to ensure good program integration and collaboration, especially between the three program pillars of economic development, peace building, and civil society development.
- Work with the senior management team to identify and quickly resolve bottlenecks and conflicts that affect any aspect of program operations.
Team Management
- Recruit, manage, orient, and motivate an informed, skilled and efficient team; incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management systems into the team building process.Do This
- Manage the team with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation.
- Provide leadership, direction and support for staff working in a conflict setting and fragile political situation.
- Develop the competencies of the staff, especially national team members, through training, mentoring and coaching strategies.
Operations Management
- With the Operations and Finance Directors continually evaluate current methodologies and policies used in all programs, determine their effectiveness and provide suggestions on ways to improve compliance, and to ensure program and organizational success.
- Assess and manage security and safety of the team and offices, supported by necessary up to date systems and training, in coordination with the Country Director and Operations Director.
- Ensure that all staff abide by required security protocols.
Representation
- Represent Mercy Corps Iraq programs to funders and potential donors, conducting programmatic briefings as well as new initiative developments and programmatic proposals.
- Establish and maintain positive, professional and constructive relationships with Iraqi authorities and community leaders, as required, and local and international NGOs.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its mission.
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.
ACCOUNTABILTY 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: Program Managers and Deputy Program Managers
ACCOUNTABILITY
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Finance Director, Operations Director, Security Advisor, Program Managers, COP and D/COP, HQ Sr. Program Officer, HQ Program Officer, RPD, MCS.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- Four or more years of progressive program management experience is required.
- A BA/S or equivalent is required. An advanced degree is preferred.
- Four years experience in grants management as well as an understanding of donor regulations is required.
- Four years international experience is required; international NGO/PVO field office experience is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience and skill with proposal development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and budgetary development and monitoring.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, INGO and NGO partners, and the private sector.
- Experience managing in politically-turbulent and post-conflict environments.
- Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills and ability to develop short and long term plans and strategies are required.
- Prior experience designing and managing economic development and/or peace building programs in the field is highly preferred.
- An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
- Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps’ interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups.
- Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
- High level proficiency in one language other than the mother language, and excellent English language skills are required.
- Arabic proficiency a key preferred asset.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have an ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results and knowledge of security standards, precautionary measures, communication protocols, various unstable conditions. The DCD will have the ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy, manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in self and others, demonstrate confident and decisive leadership, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally and a tireless sense of humor.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedures will be required as well as respect for local cultural norms and traditions. Flexibility about work assignments in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment is also required. All expatriate staff in Iraq live in group housing. Staff are entitled to R&R and Hardship benefits. While based in Sulaimaniya, the DCD will travel extensively to other parts of Iraq to supervise and develop programming. At least 60% of the time he/she will be working out of the Baghdad or Basrah offices.
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:
