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.
Since 1986, Mercy Corps has helped Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza access critical services and become more economically self-sufficient focusing its interventions on WASH, community crisis resilience, economic opportunities, and cash programming. With funding from BHA and ECHO Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in the West Bank and Gaza to respond to these needs. The escalation of conflict that began on October 7, 2023, has sharply exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the region. Mercy Corps is actively working to respond to the crisis and restart our humanitarian programs in Gaza where team members there are committed to significantly ramping up much needed lifesaving aid as soon as it is safe to do so.
The DRD will work alongside the Gaza Response Director (GRD) to lead all aspects of the design, planning, coordination and implementation of our Emergency Response efforts inside of Gaza. The DRD will contribute to the development of a strategic vision for Gaza response programming, both for the short and medium to longer-term. This position includes overall management of daily activities and management of programmatic staff present in Gaza, ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to implement and quickly adapt programming, while also upholding the policies for staff safety and security.
● Support the Gaza Response Director in the development of a Gaza Response Strategy and Response Implementation Plan.
● Collaboratively develop and communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies with program leadership team and other key stakeholders, translating into concrete work plans.
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
● Contribute to change management whenever required and applicable, and support consensus building around a common vision of what shared success in Gaza looks like, including the development of appropriate key performance indicators.
● Oversee programs and quality, evidence, and learning teams to support program startup and/or ongoing program management.
● Support programs team to develop program implementation strategies for each relevant sector, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and/or distribution processes.
● Ensure all program staff are familiar with the Mercy Corps Palestine Standard Operating Procedures and work in accordance.
● Promote a culture of shared learning across program teams and of evidence-based decision making in line with MC organizational strategy and sector wide best practices.
● Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
● Ensure program implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
● Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards. Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
● Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
● Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
● Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary.
● 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.
● Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
● Oversee monthly BVA meetings to ensure proper oversight and monitoring of program expenditures against budget, and plan accordingly for any underspends or fluctuations
● Recognize the high level of donor scrutiny in Palestine programming and ensure effective, transparent and responsive compliance mechanisms are in place.
● Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to all programming.
● Build and/or maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs.
● Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
● Identify, build, and manage partnerships with partners, donors, local community leaders, and other stakeholders.
● Anticipate program needs, contribute to shaping donor views on the evolving context and its impact on civilians in Palestine.
● Represent Mercy Corps with national and international media and participate in community activities, as appropriate.
● Director of Programs, Quality, Evidence, and Learning Lead, Senior Cash Advisor
● Seconded temporary emergency response staff and consultants.
Reports Directly To: Gaza Response Director
Works Directly With: Field programs staff, Operations staff, Regional Program Team, Technical Support Unit, Global Emergency Response team, and additional field and headquarters-based support departments as needed.
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.
● BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
● Minimum of 5 to 7 years senior management experience in the INGO sector, including experience in program management including emergency response.
● Strategic and innovative thinker with advanced analytic skills
● Strong representation and negotiation skills
● Sound knowledge of donor standards and procedures.
● Proven supervisory ability and/or technical skills combined with leadership.
● Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in a diversified multi-cultural and multi-ethnic working environment.
● Skills in managing, organizing, planning, and implementing assigned tasks under pressure of frequent and tight schedules.
● Strong ability to apply good judgment and decision-making skills in difficult and complex working environments.
● Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills in handling management and coordination issues at country program level.
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