Program / Department Summary: The Mercy Corps Building Resilience in Climate Extremes and Disasters (BRACED) is a flagship program of the United Kingdom (UK) Department for International Development (DFID) under the International Climate Fund (ICF).
BRACED is a global initiative that aims to benefit up to 5 million vulnerable people, especially women and children, in developing countries by helping them be more resilient in the face of climate extremes and disasters. DFID has funded BRACED programs around the world including Africa and Asia.
Mercy Corps has received funding for implementation BRACED consortium in Kenya and Uganda which will enhance resilience to climate extremes in northern Kenya and Northern Uganda through a community-led and systems-driven programme.
General Position Summary: The Program Manager will lead the implementation of the BRACED program, in Northern Kenya with the aim of improving public sector engagement and service delivery, broaden economic opportunity, and increase community capacity to manage resources and prepare for disaster.
These activities will have a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls with focus on three outputs which include Natural Resources Management and Governance, Market Systems and Gender.
Essential Job Functions:
1. Program Implementation:
Provide leadership and strategic vision of program implementation, development and management.
Ensure that program implementation is responsive to government counterparts, communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.
Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Oversee performance of consortium partners/sub-grantees.
Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites and maintain strong and productive relationships with various partners and stakeholders at national, local and community levels.
Be proactive and take initiative to drive forward the activities of a complex programme.
Oversee adaptive management and provide regular input in to workplan revisions, budgetary adjustments, to ensure the consistent relevance of the programme aims and resources to the resilience building in Wajir.
2. Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting:
Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems.
Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner.
Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.
3. Coordination and Representation:
Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director.
Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Actively engage with the programme management of other Mercy Corps’ programmes to ensure consistent vision and aligned goals
4. Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building:
Create a work conducive work atmosphere and team culture to professional growth and development of personnel at all levels.
In conjunction with the Human Resources department, implement, and ensure all staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.
Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
5. Program Support Operations:
Coordinate with program and finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics (transport, warehousing and asset management), procurement, security, administration and human resources.
Propose design of new local policies for greater efficiency and cost savings, as needed and in accordance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
Ensure that operations are functional, effective and responsive to programme needs.
6. Security:
Work closely with the country teams’ security focal points to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work.
Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.
7. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
8. Other duties as assigned.
Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Supervisory Responsibility: Direct supervision of: Natural Resources Management and Governance Team Leader, Gender Team Leader and Senior Markets Development Officer
Accountability: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
Reports Directly To: Programme Director
Works Directly With: MC Kenya Country Director, fellow Program Managers in both countries (where multiple programs operate), and technical and support staff from Mercy Corps Kenya and Edinburgh, Scotland offices.
Knowledge and Experience:
MA, MSc or equivalent in governance and public policy, economic development or environmental policy or related field.
At least five years of experience including three years in a senior management position, including at a regional/cross-country level.
Previous experience with and strong understanding of DFID rules, regulations and compliance issues
Very strong writing, communication, organization, prioritization and negotiating skills.
Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
Experience contributing to donor-funded proposal processes including assessment, design, and writing
Proven understanding of both urban and rural livelihoods systems, climate change adaptation strategies, and resilience programming;
Experience implementing activities in Kenya, especially northern Kenya/ ASALs – with a strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context.
Knowledge of and experience working in Karamoja preferred.
Excellent quantitative skills required. Financial accounting experience preferred.
Experience in building and maintaining strong/productive relations with implementing and strategic partner agencies is preferred. This includes coordinating with government authorities and counterparts.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Demonstrated success building, managing and leading a team of professionals.
Experience working in conflict environments is preferred.
Security management experience in remote and insecure environments.
Success Factors:
A strong team player, with good communication and diplomatic skills.
Proven ability to work independently as part of a regional team and with international professionals.
Excellent analytical and information management skills.
Good organizational skills and ability to work under stress and in austere contexts of remote locations.
Flexible and creative in planning and problem solving.
Attention to detail, ability to follow procedures and meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Proven excellence maintaining professional internal and external relationships.
A focus on building staff capacity
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org on or before Monday 11th January 2016 by 4.00pm.
The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for.
Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified.
Please do not attach any certificates.
(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We will only get in touch with shortlisted candidates.)
NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.