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 worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced persons. Mercy Corps Iraq’s goal is to work with civil society, public and private sector partners to meet immediate needs and reduce longer-term vulnerabilities of communities within Iraq. Mercy Corps currently implements programming in WASH, education, cash, psychosocial support, livelihoods and social cohesion funded by donors that include AFD, OFDA, BPRM, Sida, AFD, GIZ, DFID and GAC.
General Position Summary
Mercy Corps Iraq is implementing a market systems development (MSD)-based agriculture program that aims to improve the business environment, and improve access to financial services as well as reactivate the agriculture value chains in the area of Hamdaniya in Ninewa and Tikrit, Baiji and Samara in Salaha-din Governorates. The Promoting Economic Revival of Microbusinesses and Agriculture (PERMA) Consortium Manager provides day-to-day oversight and strategic leadership on the development and implementation of Mercy Corps’ and its partners’ activities. The Consortium has two other partners with one focused on specific value chains and irrigation a national partner focused on embedding social cohesion across the program. The Consortium Manager will guide the leadership at the partner organizations to ensure on time, on-scope and on-budget completion of activities. The Consortium Manager should have technical competence in MSD and the practical experience of how to implement in a complex crisis. The position will require representation with peer organizations, local communities, local authorities, and donors as well as acting as a liaison with appropriate coordination bodies on agriculture-related developments. The Consortium Manager will also facilitate a Steering Committee made up of the Country Directors of the partners in the consortium to guide high-level decision making.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
● Ensure coherence of MSD approach, agriculture and social cohesion activities across all Mercy Corps programs and partners.
● Provide technical support to the Directorate of Agriculture in Ninewa and Salah al Din in developing its future strategy and policies for the agriculture sector in the governorate.
● Contribute to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, region, and HQ.
Coordination & Representation
● Coordinate and supervise effectively the activities implemented by the AFD consortium partners.
● Organize, define the agenda and chair the AFD project technical working group and AFD project Steering Committee.
● Work in strict coordination and provide technical support to the Directorate of Agriculture of Ninewa and Salah al Din.
● Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including consortium partners, NGOs, government officials, clusters, UN agencies, and community based organizations -to enhance cooperation and coordination.
● Represent Mercy Corps in relevant coordination meetings and other forums.
● Ensure that information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate.
Technical Support
● Provide MSD-specific (in agriculture and financial inclusion sectors) technical support to Mercy Corps and its partners and ensure that the approaches are consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic objectives; and complies with donor regulations and policies.
Program Implementation
● Support the Agribusiness Manager to oversee the design, planning, implementation and documentation of agriculture programming to help beneficiaries strengthen capacities to mitigate vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks and stressors in their communities.
● Facilitate the development of implementation plans, flowing from annual strategic work-plans, and ensure the delivery of the same, in coordination with Managers and Consortium partners
● Structure his/her team to ensure that all program aspects are implemented to the highest standard (adhering to industry norms/regulations).
● Ensure program objectives and deadlines are tracked and met.
● Ensure grant agreements are monitored and comply with Mercy Corps policies and procedures and donor/government/external rules and regulations.
● Oversee all aspects of design, monitoring, evaluation and learning, and ensure that all program aspects are documented and archived according to internal/donor requirements, in close coordination with the Program Performance and Quality Department.
● Ensure all program management minimum standards are met (including risk management, issues management and change management), including those for complex programs.
Team Management
● Build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies, deepening understanding of their roles and assisting 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.
Finance & Compliance Management
● Ensure compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps policies.
● Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
● Manage the consortium budget to ensure that spending is donor-compliant and program-effective.
Security
● Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership and agency’s global standards.
● Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
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 toward 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
Financial Inclusion Manager, Agribusiness Manager and Technical Support Lead.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Director – Economic Opportunities and Market Systems Development
Works Directly With: Deputy Country Director, MEL Team, Program Managers, Program Development and Grants Manager. Coordinates with Regional Technical Advisors and HQ Technical Support Teams.
Knowledge and Experience
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in agronomy, development, economics, social sciences / international studies, business or related field. Masters preferred.
● 5+ years of work experience and strong technical knowledge in MSD approach, and in agriculture programs preferable.
● At least 3 years in a management position in early recovery contexts with vulnerable populations in areas of post-conflict transition.
● Strong experience of working directly with local communities, local authorities and the private sector with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, adherence to procedures, ability to meet deadlines as well as to work independently and cooperatively with team members.
● Effective multi-tasking, organizational capacity and prioritization skills are necessary.
● Previous experience living and working in challenging or insecure environments.
● Excellent communication, writing, critical analysis and negotiation skills.
● Fluency in spoken and written English. Arabic language skills preferred.
Success Factors
The successful candidate will have strong leadership and negotiation skills with the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership. S/he will be an excellent writer with the ability to continually integrate learning into program activities, as well as documentation of such learning to shape the progress of the program.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position will be based in Mosul and is an unaccompanied position. This location is eligible for hardship allowance and R&R breaks. Travel within Iraq is required (20% minimum) to support Mercy Corps Iraq’s offices and programs. This will include Salah al Din governorate, the Iraqi Kurdish Region, Center and South Iraq. Living conditions are in group housing: water, electricity and internet are present with some cuts.
Ongoing Learning
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
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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.
Safeguarding & Ethics
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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
This vacancy is archived.