Program Manager Economic Development - CAR

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.
Now, and for the future.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in Bangui, Bouar, and Bambari, Mercy Corps works to integrate short-term humanitarian assistance with programs to strengthen community resilience and support market-led economic development, with a cross-cutting accent on governance and gender. Mercy Corps takes a sustainable approach to its programming, seeking to change behaviors and create institutions to foster long-term development in the sectors of protection and gender based violence, governance, civil society capacity building, social cohesion and socioeconomic activities. Funding comes from a range of donors including USAID, the European Commission, OFDA, UNHCR, PNUD, CHF and private foundations. By addressing a number of overlapping and associated needs within a wide range of activities, Mercy Corps in CAR takes an integrated approach to ensure the greatest possible impact.

Mercy Corps plays a key role in coordinating with other NGOs and United Nations bodies, including being a member of the executive committee of the CCO (Coordinating Committee of INGOs), the NGO coordination platform for international NGOs in the CAR, composed of 52 organizations.

General Position Summary

The Economic Development Program Manager will be responsible for managing Mercy Corps' Bangui part of the consortium project in collaboration and coordination with the two partner INGOs (DRC and ACTED). He/she will work closely with the consortium Coordinator and S/he will manage two teams (one in Bangui and the other one in Bouar) composed by an assistant program manager, a national program manager, 4 officers and 12 field agents to implement a program of quality in accordance to Mercy Corps' standards of quality and in the framework of the donor's regulation. The program includes an important component of training, the management of micro-grants, and a formal and informal savings component, three areas the program manager needs to be familiar with.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Responsible for overall leadership and strategic vision on the implementation, coordination and management of the Mercy Corps' project. Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps' principles, values and strategic plan.
• Coordinate with the teams, the Head of Office in Bouar, other program managers, Programs Director and M&E team on a regular basis to ensure the successful implementation of the project activities, in respect of Mercy Corps' and the donors' guidelines and procedures.
• Coordinate with consortium partners in collaboration with the Economic Development Consortium Coordinator (DRC staff member) on a regular basis to ensure the successful implementation of the project activities.

Program Management

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• 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.
• Develop partners' MoUs and contracts & oversee a training program for program partners.
• Ensure a detailed Work Plan is developed and updated regularly, with the participation of the project team, Consortium partners and project stakeholders. Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems 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.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps' Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist 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.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
• 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

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Program Manager Assistant, national program manager.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Programs Director

Works Directly With: Consortium Coordinator**,**Technical Units, Other Support Department in Bangui

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in economic development, business administration, international development, or relevant field.
• Significant experience (at least 4 years) managing programs in technical areas, including business and market development, VSLA and vocational training. An understanding and prior experience working with microfinance institutions in particular is preferred
• Experience in market research and value chain assessments preferred.
• Professional experience in CAR, as well as an existing professional network in CAR would be appreciated.
• Understanding of participatory methodologies for project design, implementation and evaluation.
• Excellent written and verbal French skills required. Sango language skills are an advantage.
• Outstanding interpersonal, partnership development and relationship management skills. Effective verbal and written communication, both internally and with external stakeholders; multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• High level of proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proven ability to follow procedures, meet team objectives and work independently and cooperatively with team members (including managing remote communications with colleagues in HQ) and diverse groups of people.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps' and the Consortium's interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
• Demonstrated commitment to develop, acquire, document and apply best practices in related fields, and apply solutions to obstacles.

Success Factors

The successful Program Manager will be a social entrepreneur—a detail-oriented, but adaptable self-starter with the ability to build a high performance team and implement a complex project that delivers outstanding results. Creativity and entrepreneurial spirit will be vital in leading and supporting new initiatives, capitalizing on opportunities, and growing and sustaining programs. The Program Manager should be an exceptional communicator, with the ability to develop rapport with a diverse range of program participants, partners, local stakeholders and government officials, as well as produce clear, concise, and compelling communications. In addition, the ideal candidate will be dedicated to Mercy Corps' mission of helping to build more secure, productive, and just communities.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Bangui, RCA and it requires up to 40 % travel on the field (Bouar)

This is an unaccompanied post and eligible for Hardship and R&R (one week every 10 weeks). The Central African Republic is a nation of 4.6 million people, ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world, with an average life expectancy of only 49 years. Hospitals and access to medicines is very limited. Malaria is prevalent and it is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. The location is unaccompanied however if security improves this could be revisited. Housing is in-group housing with freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff will have access to electricity, water, and internet, though they should expect occasional outages. Access to health care is limited. This position requires 25% of time of travel by to field offices some of which are in insecure environments. As an unaccompanied position, this role qualifies for hardship allowance.

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 at all times and in all in-country venues.

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