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.
Mercy Corps has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of around 400 people working in Eastern DRC, with the overall country goal being to support vulnerable communities through crises, while fostering programs that build resilience and promote long-term change. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with sub-field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Mercy Corps DRC’s key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to 1) Improve water service delivery and ensuring equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development; 4) Support peacebuilding and local governance. Mercy Corps DRC’s humanitarian programs aim specifically to assist populations affected by the conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo.
The Sub-Award/Partnership Advisor will lead the strategic relationship and partnership building with the identified program partners as well as leading the set up/management process for the sub-awards and/or contracts between Mercy Corps and partners. The Advisor will direct all of the partner/sub-award activities during the 2-3 month start-up phase for the Complex Program. The Advisor will manage these efforts in coordination with the country office’s finance/sub-award team and under the direction of the Start-up Team Lead and/or the Finance Director. The sub-awards will be developed jointly with the HQ Sub-award Compliance Officer. These activities will bridge the gap between the program’s startup needs and the existing country and incoming program team’s capacity and resources.
● Lead relationship and partnership building focus with identified program partners to develop strong understanding, communication, responsiveness, and alignment on the objectives, scope, MEL, communication, budget, reporting, and compliance expectations.
● Develop, negotiate and finalize Scopes of Work, Program Descriptions, and budgets for all partners.
● Facilitate partners’ participation in developing SOPs for consortium governance. Develop Consortium/Partner Communication and Coordination Plans.
● Make sure any necessary MOUs are signed with partners such as government ministries, municipalities, other organizations where we agree to collaborate but where there is not an exchange of funds.
● Assist local partners with capacity assessment and development planning, as necessary.
● Using applicable Mercy Corps guidance and following a pre-award assessment process, determine what type of sub-award or service contract for each partnership.
● Coordinate planning and implementation of all pre-award, sub-award agreement, and sub-award implementation requirements as outlined in the Sub-award Financial Management Manual.
● In coordination with HQ Sub-award Compliance Officer, assume the in-country lead on drafting, negotiating, and finalizing the sub-award agreements with selected sub-recipients. Draft program-specific sub-award manuals or templates (if necessary).
● Ensure that all sub-awards and service contracts are executed in alignment with the prime award agreement and the applicable USAID regulations, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance.
● Lead the development of sub-award monitoring plans.
● Onboard local sub-recipient organizations to their award agreement. Provide compliance guidance and consultations to sub-recipients.
● Establish sub-award files in accordance with the Field Finance Manual.
● Ensure proper hand-over of the sub-award management to both finance/grant manager and the relevant program team member(s) to ensure consistency and on-boarding.
● As a member of the Start-up Team, communicate any noted sub-award compliance risks.
● Engage in pro-active communication and collaboration with the country and regional directors, Complex Program implementation team, and with the Complex Program Board.
● Facilitate clear and regular communication between all Complex Program Start-up members.
● Participate in the hiring of grant/compliance positions as needed and assist with onboarding of culture and process.
● Capture lessons learned to improve future Complex Programs start-ups.
● Input on the preparation of post-start-up guidance to transition to the regular program implementation team.
Reports Directly To: Finance Director
Works Directly With: Start-up Team Lead, HQ Sub-award Compliance Officer, Start-up Team members, the country office program, finance, Ops and grant compliance team members, and HQ Finance & Compliance.
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
● A BA/S or equivalent in accounting or finance preferred.
● Four to six years of relevant field or grant management experience of complex, multi-dimensional programming including administering small sub-awards in an international environment.
● Good understanding of USAID regulations required.
● Excellent knowledge of Mercy Corps structure, resources and processes.
● Demonstrated understanding of program management, Mercy Corps policies and minimum standards including PM@MC.
● Strong organizational and work-planning skills.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
● Excellent leadership, negotiation and representation skills.
● Effective English verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications. French highly desirable.
● Ability to work across departments to achieve results in a short period of time.
The successful Complex Programs Start-up Sub-Award/Partnership Coordinator is an effective leader that can help to build and motivate a team of people from a variety of departments under pressure and with limited time. S/he is very well organized, communicates clearly and uses strong interpersonal skills to navigate challenging organizational politics situations.
This position is based in Goma, DRC and unaccompanied.
While conditions in the country are improving, there are still pockets of violence and insecurity and petty crime is present. Mercy Corps' offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Years of conflict and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is limited, but available in all Mercy Corps’ offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with several evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods.
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.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse 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.
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.