Deputy Chief of Party - Water Innovations Technology Program - Jordan

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 worked in Jordan since 2003 to implement a variety of programs funded by global public institutions, as well as private donors. Mercy Corps’ current portfolio in Jordan focuses on three pillars: Humanitarian Response and Protection, Economic Development and Natural Resource Management, Governance and Community Strengthening.

Within these broad objectives, Mercy Corps implements a range of projects and activities while pursuing the highest standards of program quality and integrity, and remains dedicated to the expansion of its programming wherever there are communities or individuals in need.

In 2006 Mercy Corps began implementation of a highly successful $30M USD Community Based Initiative for Water Demand Management (CBIWDM) project, which worked with 175 community-based organizations across Jordan to promote water demand management and energy saving and generating technologies. The Water Innovation Technologies (WIT) program is expanding on this foundation and lessons learned from 9 years of strong community development work in water resource management, focusing on the adoption and uptake of advisory and financing services to help a variety of water sector market actors overcome key barriers and constraints for the adoption of water-saving technologies.

General Position Summary

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) is a senior position of the WIT project and will play an essential role in its successful implementation. Charged with the direct oversight and management of program implementation, s/he will directly supervise WIT supporting functions leads. His/her responsibilities will include overseeing the strengthening and expanding revolving funds and other financial services, institutional strengthening and communications. The DCOP will collaborate closely with the Chief of Party, program partners and key stakeholders. With the COP, the DCOP will be responsible for creating a culture of learning and for providing leadership and strategic direction to team members and partners.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy and Vision

• With the Chief of Party and component team leaders, ensure the overall project strategy is set to encourage market system development and achieves project targets.
• Leads the development of annual work plans and PMP plans.
• Leads a culture and operationalization of adaptive management practices within the team to ensure that program approaches remain relevant and responsive to the changing context in Jordan.

Program Management

• Supervise supporting component leads including A2F, gender, institutional strengthening and communications. This includes day to day management of program implementation and administration, to include work plan development, regular reporting of results and data, market analysis and overall sector strategies
• With the CoP, closely monitor program progress against work plan targets and program budget.
• Follow up with the technical teams on progress according to the AWP.
• Responsible for technical progress review, budget progress reviews, supporting leads in the management of partners’ implementation and budgets in coordination with CoP and Operations manager.
• Manage relationships and budgets with sub-grantees and consortium partners that fall under his/her purview.
• Oversee program management and administration. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corp’s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic priorities.
• Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and oversee partner capacity building.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice in water management and market systems programming.
• Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

Team Management

• In close partnership with the CoP, create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
• 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.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Help team members identify problem solving options
• Ensure the integration of team members into relevant decision-making.

Finance and Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps needs

Representation & Coordination

• Represent the program implementation team as an active participant of the program steering committee
• Work closely with the MSD advisor and technical leads on managing relationships with market actors
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• 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 as partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• Coordinate with the PaQ unit in supporting the development and integration of an appropriate Community Accountability Reporting Mechanism (CARM).
• Lead integration of gender, protection (beneficiaries and data) and child safeguarding concepts and protocols into the program.

Organizational Learning

• As part of MC’s commitment to organizational learning and in support of MC understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, MC expects all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility

Supporting function leads.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Team leaders, MERL manager, partner organizations and sub-grantees.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in international development, management or related field (e.g. economics, business, agriculture, engineering)
• At least 10 years of experience in international relief and development, with at least 5 in a senior management position (approx. $10 million per annum), prior experience as a DCOP or COP on a USAID project preferred.
• Experience managing USG complex contracts and agreements and strong understanding of USAID rules and regulations and compliance issues, as well as a positive track record in promoting transparent communications back-and-forth with USAID.
• Persuasive written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing, as well as strong presentation skills when addressing diverse audiences.
• Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues, and emphasis on establishing a balance between strategic guidance and team empowerment.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques.
• Arabic language skills preferred, English fluency required.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in water demand management, market systems development, and/or agriculture
• Previous experience working in the Middle East preferred and strong understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Jordan preferred.
• Prior experience working with Mercy Corps is preferred.
• Project management experience/certification is preferred
• Significant experience in personnel management at a senior level

Success Factors

• Experience in all phases of project management and exceptional management skills.
• Experience in maintaining positive donor and partner relationships
• Ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied experiences and work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines.
• Personal dedication to quality and learning.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
• Multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize competing priorities.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.
• Ability to maintain a sense of humor in stressful situations.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps project sites and field locations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Amman, Jordan and it requires travel to field sites within Jordan.The location is accompanied and is not eligible for hardship or R&R. Individual housing is provided. Staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard. Water and electricity are present with occasional cuts.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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