Program Manager (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Manager’s role is to lead the management of large multi-sectoral programs/grants. Under the direct supervision of the Partnership Support Program Director, the Program Manager is responsible for coordinating mutli-sectoral emergency response programs through partner organizations; ensuring quality agricultural and livelihoods interventions as well as other humanitarian sectors including protection, WASH and food/non food items; contribute towards strategic vision of the Mercy Corps team and manage a team of program officers and coordinators. The position holder will work closely with implementing partners to ensure smooth, efficient and effective implementation of the programs. The position also involves understanding how the collection of partner projects fits within Mercy Corps’ grant portfolio and Mercy Corps wider strategy, with support and guidance from the Partnership Support Program Director. The position encompasses a wide range of project activities, including planning and coordination of high quality interventions at grant and sub grant level, monitoring and verification of activities in coordination with MEL Adviser, supporting budget and proposal development at partner and donor level, collating information collected from partners, reporting to donors, arranging trainings with partners and mentoring and coaching of specific partner staff where appropriate.

The Program Manager will work closely with the Partnership Program Director, who will seek to expand the skills of the Program Manager and delegate more responsibility during the duration of the contract.  The Program Manager will also manage two Program Officers and a coordinator who implement day to day administrative tasks with the PM’s oversight, support and guidance.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Support

• Oversee the design, planning and implementation of programs in the sectors of livelihoods, food security, protection, and NFIs.
• Ensure programs targets are met.
• Ensure quality periodical reports/updates and grants tracking system by ensuring that sub-grant and grant records are kept up to date.
• Decision making on projects to fund, in consultation with relevant team members according to grant and strategic objectives.
• Provide technical oversight to partner teams and mentor staff in the design and implementation.
• Maintain daily communication with partners on the implementation of projects and closely follow the implementation of partner activities from the design phase through to implementation and close out.
• Help design project frameworks/objectives with local partners and ensure that the projects funded all meet set criteria and standards and feed into the larger MC grant.
• Be responsive to the needs of partners and challenges, advocate on their behalf and ensure the same consistent approach is used throughout the team.
• Pay close attention to issues, trends or concerns that arise from partner reports, updates and meetings. In discussion with the Partnership Support Program Director, make decisions and take action.
• Actively seek out new programming opportunities, through keeping abreast of the context, actively identifying new potential partners, and new geographical areas of operation.

• Coordinate internally with support departments including PaQ, HR, Sub-awards, Finance, Compliance, Security, HAT, ensuring a consistent approach to project design, implementation and close out. Suggest opportunities for improved integration and collaboration when possible.

• Provide professional guidance and support to the Program Officers, coordinator, and other team members. Ensure effective line management of Program Officers and coordinator.
• Participate in and support internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops

• Assist in any other task or duty assigned by the supervisor.
• Support in new partner mapping and acquisition, together with support departments.

Grant Management

• Maintain up to date knowledge on donor requirements and compliance issues, relevant to specific grants.
• Responsible for quality report writing that accurately represents partner projects.
• As delegated by the Partnership Support Program Director review and support other team members reports and proposal development processes

Technical Support

• Work with Partnership Support Program Director and Technical Advisers to 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.
• Work with Partnership Support Program Director and identity programmatic gaps either in current quality of implementation or potential future areas of implementation.
• Work with the PaQ team to ensure that the partners have established accountability mechanisms in line with Mercy Corps CARM manual. Support the team to ensure that communities and relevant stakeholders are adequately informed about programs, are comfortable to give feedback, that feedback is used to improve the quality of our programs and referral mechanisms are in place.

Capacity Building

• With the support of Capacity Building Department, responsible for developing capacity building plans and objectives for partners.
• Responsible for delegated training and coaching to partner staff to improve best practice. Where possible, provide technical training to key partner staff.
• Responsible for the oversight and monitoring of capacity building within the Partnerships Support Program.

Finance and Compliance

• Ensure that partner projects are executed in alignment with the donor agreement and the applicable donor regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; updating partnership process, tools, policies and procedures as necessary
• In close coordination with Mercy Corps’ Humanitarian Access Team (HAT), ensure appropriate due diligence mechanisms are in place to mitigate against fraud, corruption, aid-diversion and that all stakeholders are properly vetted
• In close coordination with the procurement team, ensure partners are compliant with donor and Mercy Corps’ procurement policies, which includes training on procurement minimum standards and procedures, supporting procurement planning and tracking major procurements.
• Act as the focal point for full compliance with PM@MC minimum standards for partner projects.
• In coordination with Finance and the Grants Department, ensure programming activities are accurately reflected in donor budgets and reports.
• Ensure a solid understanding of Mercy Corps’ operations, and how this relates to due diligence processes initiated by donors.

Security

• Ensure security procedures, mitigations and policies are followed by partners.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Alongside the Security Coordinator support implementing partners to improve security mitigation approaches, ensure tools and processes are in place to manage staff safety and security and report incidents appropriately

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.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Program Officer(s) / Coordinators

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:

Partnership Support Program Director -

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:

All Mercy Corps department and staff as well as staff from partner(s) organizations

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• University Degree or Higher in relevant field is required.
• 5-7 of professional experiences in humanitarian programming including in livelihoods, protection and emergency lifesaving response or equivalent combination of NGO sector experiences and education.
• Grant report and proposal writing experience is essential.
• Experience of line management is required.
• Experience of humanitarian training and facilitation – including desirable knowledge of designing and/or adapting curriculum relevant for target groups.
• Commitment to local capacity development and experience of engaging and working with local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
• Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Good organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of humanitarian standards and codes, including SPHERE, CHS is an asset.
• Working understanding of procurement, administration and finance systems.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team and independently.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Syrian conflict context and understands project needs.
• Commitment to high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential. Excellent written English is desired.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful candidate will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with NGOs and CBO representatives, and will have effective verbal and written communication as well as multitasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. S/he will have demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members. S/he should have excellent coordination skills, the ability to manage multiple deadlines and show initiative to improve program implementation. Sensitivity to multicultural humanitarian and development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles are all critical. An ability to creatively solve problems, juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations are also essential.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours. 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 venues, in such a manner as to bring positive recognition to Mercy Corps and to not endanger Mercy Corps’ humanitarian mission.