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 crisis in Syria continues after 11 years; with the largest internally displaced population globally for 2023 and the number of people relying on assistance reaching its highest to date. With a large and complex portfolio of work across the country, Mercy Corps has established itself as an analytical, strategic and flexible responder, adapting continually to shifting front lines and operational realities to respond effectively and efficiently through multiple modalities with teams inside Syria and working cross-border from neighboring countries. The country team is shifting into a protracted crisis facing ongoing political conflict, economic deterioration and environmental challenges. This combination requires a diverse team, resources and program thinking. The continuous change within the Syria context will require a resourceful and proven leader who has held senior roles in large, complex institutions, preferably in conflict locations. S/he will place a high value on innovative solutions to humanitarian, early recovery and stabilization issues; creative partnerships in tough environments; and accountable programming to beneficiaries and donors. The successful candidate will be an inspirational manager, committed to advancing the organization’s strategy and building a healthy team culture that promotes a positive spirit and growth.
General Position Summary
The Country Director (CD) is the top management position for Mercy Corps in Syria with supervisory and managerial responsibility over all personnel, programs and policies. The CD is responsible for developing the overall strategic direction for programming in cooperation with Mercy Corps’ senior management team and local and international partners. S/he will ensure we learn from experience, thorough research and contextual analysis to develop high impact strategies that address both the current crises as well as longer-term solutions. S/He is also responsible for developing and implementing systems, policies and procedures for Mercy Corps’ operations in Syria. The CD is responsible for financial oversight, staff security, human resource management and representation. S/he is a skilled communicator, able to develop and utilize strong relationships with team members, partners and donors. S/he will coordinate with his/her supervisor and be skilled at building highly effective working relationships with HQ. S/he will harness the expertise, experience and ideas of Mercy Corps’ diverse program support teams to channel them into impactful partnerships with country programs. S/he will work with the senior management team prioritizing their professional development and growth.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
● Formulate, plan and communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
● Lead the annual country planning process and provide strategic updates.
● Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
● Use technical support teams collaboratively.
● Explore, evaluate and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage impact and integrate initiatives and activities; support and direct related fund-raising activities with both institutional and private donors.
Team Management
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
● Recruit, manage, motivate, and onboard an informed, skilled and efficient team with an emphasis on excellence and achievement; encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, incorporating staff development strategies and performance management systems into the team building process.
● Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
● Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
● Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
PROGRAM OPERATIONS Management
● Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor required M&E systems.
● Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
● Lead country team to strive for impact at country level leading to sustained change based on strong systems and incorporation of learnings into programs.
● Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors, if applicable.
● Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
● Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
● Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
Finance & Compliance Management
● Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
● Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
● Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
Influence & Representation
● Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in community activities as appropriate.
● Maintain productive relationships with the international community inclusive of the United Nations, International NGOs, Think Tanks, Research Institutes and Foreign Governments.
● Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
● Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities that support the objectives for the country as a whole.
● Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
● Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
● Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.
Security
● Manage security and safety of the entire country team and Mercy Corps assets according to best practices, Mercy Corps operating standards and field realities.
● Liaise with the Regional Security and Safety advisor and Regional Director on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and security policy changes.
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: All national and international staff in country.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Director
Works Directly With: Deputy Country Director, Finance Director, Operations Director, HR Director, Ethics Director, Security Manager, PAQ Director, HAT Director, Grants Director, Area Directors, Technical Advisors, Program staff, local/international NGO partners, HQ program, technical, and finance support staff, and the Regional Team.
Knowledge and Experience
● BA/S or equivalent in a relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
● 10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing complex humanitarian and development programs.
● 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
● Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster response as appropriate.
● Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
● Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
● Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USAID, FCDO, EU countries, UN, GAC grant management.
● Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
● Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.
● Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
● Previous work experience in the Middle East and in insecure environments is preferred.
Success Factors
The successful Syria CD will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team. They will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
This vacancy is archived.