Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.
Mercy Corps’ Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of vulnerable Ukrainians and other conflict-affected people where they are: displaced inside Ukraine, refugees in Poland, and Moldova, or trapped behind frontlines. In 2022 and 2023, MC’s Ukraine response reached more than 2.5 million people with emergency cash, food, psychosocial information support, and campaigns. Notably, nearly all our programming has been delivered in partnership with Ukrainian, Polish, and Moldovan civil society organizations through a granting program that matches humanitarian action with capacity strengthening, and with peer international NGOs through a consortium in Ukraine. Building on a substantial program addressing needs through MPCA/Cash in the Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine, the portfolio is currently piloting a Rapid Response Mechanism as well as a Resilience program focusing on supporting local value chains and SMEs.
RRM Program Lead ensures the efficient and effective implementation of the emergency response program inclusive of NFI, Food, WASH, Cash and shelter basic needs assistance. They are responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the RRM program in Ukraine, including daily management of program activities and program staff; ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, and analyze and report on results. They are a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members and are effective communicators, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. They are responsible for managing relationships with local partners, participants and donors, contributing to the achievement of the program’s objectives and the RRM overall objectives
STRATEGY AND PLANNING
Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives. Recognize opportunities for innovative resilience programming. Create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed within a positive, mission- focused team culture. Implement Mercy Corps strategic vision and provide operational leadership to the implementation of Mercy Corps activities under the RRM portfolio. Provide structure to the existing activities and programming mechanisms to reinforce program quality and maintain response speed.PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Oversee RRM startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations. Integrate the use of community approaches in the design, implementation, and maintenance of projects. Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ minimum standards and other relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts. Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donors and Mercy Corps policies and procedures. Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria, and that feedback mechanisms are in place. Ensure, in coordination with local partners, the planning of safe delivery and distribution of NFIs to beneficiaries, including advising on and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOP) for NFIs distribution, safety and security measures, and training program and partners staff on SOP and safety and security measures. Facilitate capacity building for program team and other project staff. Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Codes of Conduct and Ethics; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.TEAM MANAGEMENT
Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary. Ensure team members improve performance & reach objectives. Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and cultivate resilience and well-being in challenging situations. Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes. Supervise and manage Program Coordinators to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated way according to workplan and budget.INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with Ukrainian partners, sub-grantees, donors, local government and other stakeholders. Actively monitor CASH, Shelter and NFIs, and Food sectors trends in Ukraine, and with the different actors and areas of operation for effective planning and coordination. Ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met. Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure. Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. Exhibit an awareness of their own strengths and development needs.SECURITY
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.Supervisory Responsibility : Two RRM Coordinators
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Programs
Works Directly With: Security Lead, Crisis Analytics team, TSU cash team, PaQ and MEL teams, Humanitarian Program Lead.
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.
Technical competencies:
Understands Sphere Standards and ensures they are met Can conduct rapid needs assessments, in line with Mercy Corps’ approach and industry’s best practice Understands theoretical and applied knowledge about emergency rapid response programming. Can develop SOPs in line with Mercy Corps’ Minimum StandardsFunctional competencies
Possess project management skills and applies PM@MC minimum standards for all phases of the project cycle Can oversee and implement participatory assessment processes Can oversee program budgets, project cash flow and expenditures Understands donor regulations and compliance (USAID, ECHO, FCDO, UN, etc.) Effectively manages teams/people and apply relevant Mercy Corps’ procedures and approaches Supports team members through capacity building Possesses basic understanding of procurement and logistics Can ensure feedback from crisis-affected people and other stakeholders is incorporated in program design, implementation and learning Can ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies. Develop weekly plan, movement plan, and liaise with the relevant departments for smooth implementationLeadership competencies
Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed Drives impact by building high performing teams Broadens influence by role modeling and leveraging networksThe successful RRM Program Lead will combine exceptional management skills and experience in running emergency programs. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and thrive in an evolving and changing environment while taking care of self and others.