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

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in Bangui, Bouar, Bambari and Bangassou, Mercy Corps works to integrate short-term humanitarian assistance with programs to strengthen community resilience and support market-led economic development, with a cross-cutting emphasis on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and create institutions to foster long-term development in the sectors of protection and gender-based violence, civil society, capacity building, water/sanitation, social cohesion and socioeconomic activities. Funding has come from a range of donors including BHA, the European Commission, UNICEF, OCHA, AFD and private foundations. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of sectors, Mercy Corps CAR takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact.

General Position Summary

The Director of Programs will work closely with the Country Director and program team to ensure effective program development, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability in close collaboration with the operations team as well as support to Program Development. The position will be based in Bangui, with travel to the field.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

Work closely with the Country Director to develop and implement the country strategy

Engage the agency’s technical support teams collaboratively to ensure high impact programming that aligns with Mercy Corps’ key technical areas.

Identify and secure project funding opportunities that build on Mercy Corps’ existing expertise and integrate new technical areas to multiply impact; lead and support fund-raising activities targeted at both institutional and private donors.

Program Development

Support in the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy, in coordination with the Country Director and Program Managers, headquarters-based Senior Program Officer, Technical Advisors and other relevant staff.

Work with the team to assess the needs for program design and evaluations.

Lead the development of solicited and unsolicited proposals and concept notes.

Program Coordination

Provide leadership in all aspects of program coordination to ensure consistent quality, including the incorporation of cross-cutting themes, quality data analysis, lessons learned and best practices.

Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps’ principles, values, global strategic roadmap, and CAR country strategy.

Work with Program Managers and the Program Development and Reporting Manager to monitor adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.

Build up program staff capacity and ensure effective and qualitative program implementation

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

Supervise and support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation, quality data collection and analysis systems are in place, adhered to and used as a decision-making tool, encouraging consistency across programs.

Provide ongoing training and guidance to staff on M&E best practices.

Program Reporting

Ensure that donor reports produced by the Programs team effectively demonstrate the impact of Mercy Corps’ program interventions and meet Mercy Corps SOPs.

Review all reports to ensure a high-quality product (in English or French).

Program Support Operations

Work with the Operations Manager and Finance Manager to ensure that operational and financial management systems are responsive to program needs and that program staff are adhering to both donor and Mercy Corps’ procedures and regulations.

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

Consortium Lead, Program Managers, Program Performance & Quality and Program Support Manager.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With: All program and support staff and all HQ-based program, operations, recruiting, human resources, finance, and technical support teams.

Knowledge and Experience

BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field. MA/S preferred.

5 years overseas experience, including at least 2 years in a senior management position.

Experience managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.

Previous experience working in Francophone Africa is strongly preferred.

Proven track record in program design, proposal writing and development, and donor reporting.

Trained and knowledgeable in design, monitoring, and evaluation concepts and methodologies. M&E experience should include conducting assessments and surveys, program design using a logical framework approach, selecting indicators, implementing monitoring plans, coordinating evaluations and data analysis.

Experience supervising international and national staff, starting up programs and working in difficult environments.

Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including, Participatory Community Development, Livelihoods, Agriculture, Health, Water and Sanitation, Economic Recovery, Women’s Empowerment and GBV programming, Peace-building, Civil Society Capacity Building and Youth Employment.

Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.

Strong management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.

Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meets deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

History of working effectively with host country government, national and international NGO partners, and collaborating with other actors, including the private sector.

Solid knowledge of and experience with security protocols is essential.

Fluency in written and oral French and English is required.

Knowledge and experience of the CAR context is an advantage.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will be conscientious, with excellent judgment and will display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. (S)he will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The individual will be a strategic thinker able to bring ideas to implementation in growing program operations. S/he will have exceptional proposal development skills and an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in the country. An interest and ability to travel and work in very remote environments, and awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles is required. An even temperament and a good sense of humor are appreciated.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position will be based in Bangui, Central African Republic with travel to Mercy Corps field offices. This position is unaccompanied for spouses and/or children.

The security situation in CAR can be volatile with pockets of violent outburst in various areas of the country. Bangui is generally more stable, however, carjacking and targeted looting do occur on occasion

Hospitals and access to quality health care are very limited. Malaria is prevalent. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable group housing is available. Electricity, clean water and internet can be at times subject to shortages.

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. 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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