This position can be performed remotely, within 2 hours of Myanmar Standard Time (MMT)
About Mercy Corps
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.
Program / Department Summary
Following the events of February 1st 2021, protests continue unabated across the country while security forces step up crackdowns on protesters. Communication and access to information remains hampered with widely used social media platforms being blocked and intermittent Internet disruptions. While the United Nations before the coup had estimated that more than 945,000 people in the country require humanitarian assistance in 2021, the situation in Myanmar is evolving rapidly, with a high risk of increasing food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly for the urban poor. Demonstrations and the general strike throughout Myanmar are likely to exacerbate the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures, which saw 80 percent of households lose income.
With a presence in the country since 2008 and a varied portfolio of programs counting on different expertise and networks, Mercy Corps is well positioned to respond to the evolving context in Myanmar, connecting people to the resources they need to survive and, eventually, help their communities thrive. MCM has a team of 142 national and international staff working alongside 25 national and international partners who share our vision for change. Up until February 2021, MC was running 16 projects (including research projects) of different nature (humanitarian, peacebuilding and development), funded by 13 donors, and spread across ten states and regions.
MC Myanmar's goal (as outlined in the 2018-2021 Country Strategy) of peaceful, productive and resilient communities able to determine their own future, remains relevant. Taking into account the new context in Myanmar, MC identified 3 key potential areas for intervention, which could further expand based on the evolution of the needs on the ground, the first of which is humanitarian assistance.
Mercy Corps is already implementing a large humanitarian response program in Rakhine State, with 5 local partners, focused on delivering cash and voucher assistance (CVA) to displaced and otherwise vulnerable populations.
General Position Summary
The Team Leader - Humanitarian Response will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the existing CVA program in Rakhine State, while also leading the roll-out of the humanitarian response and preparedness strategy. The position includes overall management of daily program activities, management of program staff, and relationships with other humanitarian actors (e.g. INGOs, UN agencies, etc). The Team Leader will also ensure appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results as well as engagement with the senior program team on the strategic direction of the overall humanitarian response in Rakhine State and beyond.
The Team Leader will be responsible for supporting the implementation and possible expansion of CVA programs in Myanmar. The role will include technical mentoring and supervision of in-country programs, as well as the development and support for setting up new CVA programs, and engaging in CVA coordination mechanisms. The Team Leader will monitor the context and implementation environment to ensure it remains conducive for CVA expansion (this includes yet not limited to: market viability, financial sector viability, security and community acceptance of CVA). The Team Leader will maintain perspective on the environment to monitor whether CVA remains appropriate as well as opportunities for expansion. The Team Leader will also be responsible for exploring local partnership and funding opportunities for immediate programming. The Team Leader will work closely with the Director of Program, the Senior Cash & Markets Advisor, and other program team members in all aspects of the program and ensure program targeting is consistent with protection best practices and MC’s strategy.
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Essential Job Responsibilities Strategy & Vision
Assist in the development of program concept notes, proposals as well as reports.**Program Management**
Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as psychosocial and capacity building of partners.
Oversee program startup, definition of cash and input distribution modalities, and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
Ensure all cash programs meet Mercy Corps’ Cash Minimum Standards
Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards. Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. 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 that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
Ensure coordination with Government and ethnic authorities, partners, UN agencies, Disaster Risk Reduction working groups and other relevant coordination bodies, including the development of partners’ MoUs and contracts.
Identify various partners (local NGOs, Financial Institutions, Private companies and Government) necessary for successful CVA implementation. Ensure all Mercy Corps programming adheres to best practices while simultaneously supporting the local economy in this context.
Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems and indicator tracking and transparency tools (i.e. TOLA) to reach desired impacts.
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.
Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.**Technical support and Program Quality**
Develop the capacity of in-country staff working on CVA interventions.
Support start up or adaptation of CVA programs as the context and response opportunities evolve
Where appropriate coordinate the harmonization of tools and approaches within the humanitarian community
Lead on determining the most appropriate cash delivery modality/modalities for the context. Support in updating the CVA response strategy and guidelines / SoPs applicable to Myanmar, and Rakhine State to identify appropriate modalities and set up / maintain locally appropriate payment mechanisms.
Collaborate with the program teams and the Monitoring and Evaluation function to conduct relevant assessments, present evidence on effectiveness of CVA, and advise on practices around programming for further expansion.
Identify various partners (local NGOs, financial institutions, private companies and government) necessary for successful CVA implementation.
Infuse market interventions into existing programs to ensure emergency response programs are responsive to local markets and enhance beneficiaries’ coping capacities.**Team Management**
Supervise the work of the program team in implementation of the CVA program in Rakhine State.
Help create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
Hire, orient and supervise new team members and implementing partners as necessary.
Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
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.**Finance & Compliance Management**
Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency 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.**Influence, Policy, Advocacy and Representation**
Build and manage collaborative partnerships with local government INGOs and others.
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Maintain regular communication with other INGOs, local NGOs, donors and government working on CVA interventions.
Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
Represent the agency at the Cash Working Groups and other relevant coordination mechanisms, and actively engage with informal coordination.**Security**
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
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**
Ensure a functioning community accountability and reporting mechanism (CARM) in all cash programming, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Ensure mechanisms are in place for data protection for program participants.**Supervisory Responsibility** SAR Program Coordinator & SARA MEL Coordinator
Accountability
Reports Directly to: Director of Programs
Works Directly with: Senior Cash & Markets Advisor, Senior Program Development & Quality Manager, M&E Manager, Finance and Compliance Manager, Operations Director, Regional Program Team, Technical Support Unit, and additional headquarters-based support departments as needed.
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Knowledge and Experience**
The successful Team Leader will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team in the transitional response environment. The Team Leader will be capable of multitasking, rapid decision-making, and have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building. The Team Leader will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority. The successful candidate will combine great management skills, data analysis skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. The Team Leader will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps. The Team Leader will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills, even remotely. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
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Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:**
This position can be performed remotely, within 2 hours of Myanmar Standard Time (MMT). Given the nature of the response, working hours require flexibility and working through weekends/evenings might be necessary.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws and customs, and adhere to MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 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 eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
This vacancy is archived.