Back Country Coordinator

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.

Program/Department SummaryMercy Corps has been working in Burkina Faso since 2016 and intervenes in the areas of youth employment / skills development, livestock research, social cohesion/peacebuilding/CVE, and Collaboration and Learning (CLA) for the improvement of development assistance. Mercy Corps’ Burkina Faso operations are part of an integrated country mission jointly with Niger, where much of the senior management is based. Current funding in Burkina Faso is $12 million+ over five years, and Mercy Corps has its country office in Ouagadougou and field presence in Kaya, Fada N’gourma, Gaoua, and Ouahigouya. The current annual budget includes funding from USAID, PATRIP Foundation, UNPBF, FCDO and others.

For its expanding operations in Burkina Faso, Mercy Corps is recruiting a Country Coordinator who is directly responsible for official representation in the country, identifying new program opportunities, supervising ongoing implementation, and providing overall leadership to the operations/support functions in the country.

General Position Summary The Country Coordinator officially represents Mercy Corps with government authorities, donors and partners, facilitates the coordination between all of Mercy Corps’ ongoing programs in Burkina Faso, and participates in all relevant coordination meetings and mechanisms. S/he assures the administrative supervision of the different support departments (security, finance, operations, HR and administration) and the country program Manager and supports the Country Director and Director of Programs in their fundraising and program development efforts, particularly with regards to humanitarian response. S/He directly supervises the head of sub offices of Ouahigouya and Fada. To this end, s/he oversees the different support/operations departments and the non-complex Program Managers. Combined with strong leadership, communication and relationship building, humanitarian programming experience and operational decision-making, this is an important management position within Mercy Corps Niger and Burkina Faso mission, with supervisory and managerial responsibilities. The position is for Burkinabé nationals/candidates only.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to Burkina Faso team members and external stakeholders in line with the MC Niger & Burkina Faso country strategy (2024-2027);
• Oversee the implementation of the FY25 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and upcoming years for Burkina Faso, by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives ;
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Work closely with the program development team, the country program Manager, the proposal development and grants manager, and the Director of Programs Niger & Burkina Faso, identify/elevate potential opportunities for new programming or funding in Burkina Faso.

  PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP

  • Support the conceptualization, implementation and continual improvement of Mercy Corps Programs in Burkina Faso
  • In coordination with the country program manager and programs team, lead program start-up, management, administration and closeout. Ensure implementation is on time, target and budget
  • Support program development initiatives for Burkina Faso, including cross-border opportunities, field assessments, in particular with coordination, partnership development and representation during the program development process
  • Provide leadership to increase coordination, collaboration, communication and harmonization of Mercy Corps programming and support team s in Burkina Faso;
  • Engage Burkina Faso program leadership (Country program Manager, DOP, DCOPs, PMs) in ongoing context analysis that enables programs and teams to adapt to significant changes in the geopolitical/conflict environment.
  • Participate in shaping policy positions and advocacy messages pertaining to the overall humanitarian situation inside the country.
  • Integrate community approaches and gender sensitivity into all activities

    TEAM MANAGEMENT

    • Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
    • Promote the respect of Mercy Corps core behaviors in Burkina Faso
    • Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
    • Contribute to the Supervision, hiring and orientation of new team members;
    • Contribute to country team-building efforts, leading this for the Burkina Faso team, helping team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

      OPERATIONS & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      • Ensure adequate technical, analytical and administrative support for programs.
      • Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
      • Ensure the smooth running of the country office in Ouagadougou and the field offices in terms of having appropriate staff and systems are in place including providing any necessary training or guidance.
      • Contribute to the administrative Supervision of Operations/Finance/HR & Admin teams to ensure optimal operational support for Mercy Corps programs and offices, in accordance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures and provide any necessary training or guidance to operational staff.
      • Ensure in collaboration with the country program Manager that all support staff are able to adhere to work plans, and that deliverables are completed as promised.
      • Ensure effective and transparent use and documentation of financial resources by all staff in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
      • Review and approve requests for purchase according to the delegation of limit of authority; track commitments and expenditure against budgets

        INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

        • Represent Mercy Corps in all relevant NGO forums, cluster meetings, and other coordination meetings and forums;
        • Represent Mercy Corps with formal and informal government structures and representatives, maintain and develop relevant and productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
        • Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local NGOs and civil society organizations and academic institutions.
        • Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities that support program objectives.
        • Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, governments and other stakeholders.
        • Participate in Mercy Corps leadership meetings at the regional and HQ levels as needed.

          SECURITY

          • Maintain oversight of access provisions to ensure Mercy Corps’ continued ability to access our most vulnerable and hard-to-reach participants.
          • Assist the Country Director and Operations & Security Manager in maintaining and advising on appropriate security systems and procedures, ensure that all team members are aware of, and adhere to these procedures.
          • Ensure all team members understand and are compliant with Mercy Corps policies on safety and security, conflict of interest, and general conduct, in a manner, which is appropriate to an international NGO.
          • Provide regular reports on program and administrative activities and the security situation, as well as incident reports, to the Country Director as per determined communication schedule.

            ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

            • Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our program participants 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.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.

                Supervisory Responsibility: Administrative supervision of managers of all departments, non-complex Program Managers, and provide relevant input in their annual objectives setting, midterm and annual performance evaluations including the regional staff based in Ouagadougou.

                Accountability Reports Directly To: Country Director Niger & Burkina FasoWorks Directly With: Country program Manager, Operations & Security Manager, Finance & Compliance Manager, Human resources and Administration Manager, Chiefs of Party, Deputy Chiefs of Party; Directors of departments (programs, operations, finances, HRA) based in Niger.

                Knowledge and Experience

                • BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required, MA/S preferred.
                • At least 5 years of leadership and management experience with an international NGO in humanitarian operations and previous work experience in other African countries and insecure environments essential.
                • Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, institutions and donors, and of compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and best practices; prior experience with funding from USAID, FCDO, ECHO, OCHA, EU, UNPBF, UN and other leading donors in country.
                • Strong knowledge of the context of Burkina Faso with relevant connections within relevant technical Ministries (Agriculture, humanitarian affairs, livestock, health, environment, economy and finance etc..) and the relevant policies in relation with Mercy Corps four key outcomes (food security, water security, economic opportunities and peace and good governance).
                • Robust experience in developing, operating, and implementing program strategies.
                • Demonstrated experience in representation and negotiation resulting in securing significant new opportunities or partnerships for the organization.
                • Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
                • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
                • Solid operations management skills related to international, cross-functional teams.
                • Experience of solving complex issues collegially, defining a clear way forward, and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success.
                • Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact.
                • Excellent spoken and written English skills required.
                • Strong capacity for adaptation to new working environments and systems.

                  Success Factors The successful candidate is a is a confident representative in public settings, able to speak up when needed to defend Mercy Corps’ positions and influence key stakeholders internally and externally to further and expand Mercy Corps goals in Burkina Faso. S/he has international work experience with an NGO, ideally in humanitarian settings. S/he has excellent information management skills, is a strategic thinker. S/he has 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 Burkina Faso.

                  Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions The Country Coordinator is based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The role is opened to nationals. The position requires regular travel to field locations in the country and sometimes to Niger. The team member must follow all security protocols at all times. 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 always and in all in-country venues.

                  Ongoing LearningIn 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 & InclusionAchieving 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.