Governance Program Manager

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 seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world. We recognize that instances of sudden change within a country or region are rare moments to enact significant, lasting change. Mercy Corps, with its global experience working in countries undergoing major transitions, brings knowledge, expertise and strong management skills to position the agency as a partner of choice for progressive change in Syria. Mercy Corps has been operational in Syria since 2012 and is looking to expand our scope and impact by promoting governance through our work with local civil society actors and community based organizations. We empower and engage citizens by informing and mobilizing communities, and promoting civic engagement. By elevating the voices of vulnerable communities and increasing their inclusion in decision-making, we ensure governance processes are more equitable and effective, empowering communities to tackle the underlying causes of the world's toughest challenges, working collaboratively to build secure, productive and just communities.

General Position Summary

Based in the Syria office in Derik/Amuda and reporting directly to the Director of Programs (DoP) for North East Syria, the Civic Engagement Program Manager will have responsibility for the overall achievement of objectives, and the day-to-day administration and implementation of an anticipated program aimed at improving good governance and civic engagement. The Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for ensuring that the program runs smoothly by providing overall leadership, management, supervision, and strategic vision for the implementation of the program, while managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time, within budget, and at a high level of quality. The PM will supervise key staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations, while working closely with the national partner organization to strengthen capacity and ensure achievement of program results. The PM will play a key role in liaising with and reporting to the donor on project progress and challenges. In addition, s/he will support and provide input to the overall Mercy Corps country strategy in Syria. This is a technical program management position and as such the suitable candidate will have extensive experience in supporting similar initiatives, aimed at promoting inclusiveness and building of resilience by enhancing civic engagement and related capacities at the local level. The program activities will be managed remotely.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Develop a clear vision for the program, as well as a clear and effective strategy for program implementation and evaluation and ensure that the vision and mission are aligned with contextual realities;
• Ensure that the program strategy is clear and communicated to team members, local beneficiaries and partners;
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps' principles and values;
• Collaborate with other related Mercy Corps programs to create synergies wherever possible.

Program Management

• Manage and oversee program implementation, in cooperation with key project stakeholders, including local non-governmental organizations, local government officials, community-based organizations, other international agencies on the ground, and key donors;
• Serve as focal point with the local partners. This includes responsibility over partnership and any sub-grantees;
• Collaborate with program, finance and administrative staff to ensure systems comply with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures, including adherence to Mercy Corps program management minimum standards;
• 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;
• Increase Mercy Corp and partner organization staff capacity by designing and delivering technical training and coaching plans on topics related to building resilience and enhancing civic engagement;
• Provide leadership and oversight in all aspects of program implementation, management and evaluation.

Team Management

• Manage a specialized team dedicated to the specific project deliverables;
• 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;
• Oversee program staff and partner performance and quality of program implementation and if security context allows, conduct frequent field visits to all program sites.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to peacebuilding programming;
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget;
• Establish and oversee effective program monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems for both internal and external use and ensure high quality input is obtained from team members;
• Use reporting results to monitor program success, measure impact, and calibrate program strategy accordingly;
• Ensure documentation of achievements and lessons learned to ensure best practices are captured and disseminated in quarterly and final program reports;
• Monitor adherence to the donor grant agreement as well as Mercy Corps' and donor's policies and procedures for procurement and compliance.

Influence & Representation

• This position will be the primary interface with the donor;
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders;
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

PROGRAM QUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• Ensure the program is sensitive and adaptive to the changing context while in line with best practice;
• Coordinate with the Country Office and HQ to build systems that promote beneficiary accountability by ensuring that communities participate in initial assessments and program design;
• Support staff and partners to ensure that communities are informed about our programs and what we do, are aware of their entitlements, are comfortable to give feedback and that feedback is used to improve the quality of our programs;
• Ensure integration of M&E and accountability systems that are compliant with relevant standards;
• Support and inculcate a culture of learning between programs through consistent sharing of M&E processes and systems;
• 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/.

PROGRAM DESIGN AND REPORTING

• Assess gaps and coordinate with field program staff, local partners and other relevant stakeholders on project design in pursuit of high impact and cost-effective program strategies and activities;
• Develop program reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of information in programs;
• Contribute to regular donor and internal reporting as per schedule and supports the pursuit of new opportunities.

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

• 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 Team.

Accountability

Reports Directly to: Director of Programs for South and Central Syria

Works Directly with: Mercy Corps South and Central Syria administration, finance, operations, PaQ and grants teams. Also works directly with local national staff and relevant Mercy Corps Syria and headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps' Governance & Partnerships technical units, Gender Advisor and program support and finance units.

Knowledge and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field, i.e. humanities, social or political sciences, such as dispute resolution, international relations or equivalent relevant field experience preferred;
• Experience in donor relations in a humanitarian/developmental context
• 3-5 years' relevant professional experience in program management
• Minimum one-year experience implementing conflict management and reconciliation programs involving marginalized populations, including women, at risk youth, persons with disabilities; preferably in insecure or transitional environments.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills;
• Knowledge of conflict sensitivity theory and practice required;
• Experience in conducting conflict analysis, and stakeholder mapping and/or power analysis;
• Strong experience working with and building the capacity of national partner organizations required;
• Experience managing national staff, including remotely;
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player;
• Experience working with a variety of donors, including DRL, OTI, DFID, CMM, SIDA;
• Advance computer skills and experience developing data management systems;
• PM@MC certified preferred;
• Team player who takes initiative and is a problem-solver;
• Ability to manage priorities autonomously;
• Willingness to travel to field frequently (security permitting);
• Professional language skills in English (required), and Arabic and/or Kurdish (preferred)
• Effective verbal and written communication, multitasking and organizational skill;
• Prior experience living overseas and ability to work in a fluid security environment, with previous experience in Middle East strongly preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Program Manager will have the ability to multitask, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions. S/he will possess a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial as well as training capacity.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Northeast Syria and it requires up to 50% travel to all program implementation sites, security permitting. Personnel in this location are expected to follow all security protocols. This unaccompanied position will be required to reside in group housing in an austere environment. Position is eligible for hardship and R&Rs.

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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PI101771655

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