• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options

• Formulate, plan and communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
• Lead the implementation of Country Strategy Plan and Annual implementation plan.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program and agency objectives.

• Explore, evaluate and present new country and project funding opportunities that leverage

• Lead engagement with authorities/local stakeholders, donors, partners, and communities to design and secure resources for high-impact programs that are aligned to community priorities.

• Partner with the regional team and other country programs in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region to elevate Mercy Corps’ expertise and profile within the broader region, leading to strategic regional programming that works across borders and delivers impact across the region.
• Support program and operations team members to pivot and adapt programming to be responsive to contextual changes, such as environmental and climate change impacts, conflict, or emerging opportunities to deepen impact.

• Commit to preserving an organizational culture of trust, transparency, diversity, equity, and

• Uphold a culture of integrity through ethical decision-making, safeguarding and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
• Lead by role modeling self-awareness to foster an environment of mutual respect, diversity and inclusion so that all team members are included, supported and can thrive.
• Create a culture of collaboration and accountability for highly effective communication systems and relationships to ensure every voice matters.

• Recruit and lead an efficient, capable and high-performing team, with a particular emphasis on developing and promoting national talent.
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Equip team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

• Oversee program quality and impact by ensuring programs are based on sound design principles and utilize Mercy Corps and donor-required Program Management systems.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide and adhere to PM@MC policies.
• Ensure that the program and PAQ departments promote and adhere to Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards, Gender, Do-No Harm, and accountability to program participants’ standards, including effective Community Accountability Reporting and safeguarding mechanisms across all programs.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps programs proactively collaborate with local stakeholders, and actively engage in coordination mechanisms at the local and national levels.

Influence

• Lead Mercy Corps’ outreach and engagement with local/national government, key donors, partners, civil society actors, and private sector in order to influence development and funding priorities, drawing on Mercy Corps’ key distinctives, research and policy & advocacy initiatives to shape the agenda and align with community needs and opportunities.
• Build partnerships with leading organizations, private sector, government, foundations, community representatives, and other critical partners to enhance collective impact, voice, and shape relevant policy agendas.
• Proactively participate and engage in coordination fora at the national level, including the INGO Forum and Clusters (and others), influencing advocacy efforts and elevating field priorities for action at the highest level.
• Set up systems to stay abreast of contextual changes, anticipate needs, and contribute to shaping donors’ views on humanitarian and development priorities in ways that are responsive to changes in the context.

• Proactively engage donors and other partners by presenting Mercy Corps Vision, Capacity Statements and priorities.
• Oversee the identification of strategic partners and formation of alliances and consortiums necessary for fundraising efforts.
• Lead the development of concept notes and proposals
• Mobilize Global and Regional Technical Teams to provide quality support to business development

• Oversee the start-up and opening of new field offices ensuring compliance with the government, donor and Mercy Corps policies
• Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies/procedures.
• Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors.
• Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations,
• Ensure proper and skilled staffing levels in Operations and Finance

• Manage security and safety of the entire country team and Mercy Corps assets according to best practices, Mercy Corps operating standards and field realities.
• Ensure the safety and security of staff members through regular review and adaptation of security protocols and procedures including the country security plan. Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Liaise with the Regional Director and Africa Regional Security Advisor on crucial events, high risk periods, incident reporting or security policy changes.
• Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills
  • BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
  • 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including demonstrable success in managing large, complex, transitional development programs.
  • 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
  • Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster response as appropriate.
  • Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in emergency response preferred.
  • Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
  • Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
  • Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with USG, FCDO, EU, SDC and other institutional donor grant management.
  • Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
  • Excellent oral and written English skills required.
  • Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
  • Previous work experience in insecure environments is highly preferred