Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) - Bridge Youth Connect - Burkina Faso.

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 is present in Burkina Faso since 2019. Our work there contributes to local communities’ resilience to shocks and stresses and enables them to achieve long-term, inclusive and equitable development. Mercy Corps’ vision for change requires the private sector, government and civil society to work together to create meaningful and sustainable change. With $12 million and field offices in Gaoua, Kaya, Po, and soon Fada N’gourma and Ouahigouya, Mercy Corps is currently implementing programs on youth skills & employment, peacebuilding/social cohesion, livestock research, and CLA in Burkina Faso.

Bridge Youth Connect is a five-year USAID-funded cross-border program, which aims to enhance vulnerable youth’s access to strategic economic and social opportunities in Niger and Burkina Faso. The goal of the program is to equip vulnerable young women and men with technical and life skills, networks, and resources needed for increased livelihoods and economic opportunities and to increase their engagement in their communities. This supports USAID’s overall Bridge and Sahel Development partnership (SDP) frameworks, which address critical unmet needs that are the main drivers of violent extremist recruitment in the Sahel: poor governance, lack of economic opportunity, and perceived exclusion from the benefits and services provided and facilitated by governments in the region. The program is implemented in a consortium with other partners.

In Burkina Faso, BYC is preparing a new component, using crisis modifier funds, to address the needs of displaced youth in urban areas of two regions of the country in the areas of technical training and psycho-social support. This crisis component will be operated in parallel with the development interventions, seeking collaboration and synergy where possible.

Mercy Corps is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to lead the implementation of Bridge Youth Connect in Burkina Faso.

General Position Summary

The DCOP will work in concert with the Chief of Party (COP), who is based in Niger, and has the responsibility to coordinate programmatic and operational aspects of the program in Burkina Faso. This includes overseeing technical areas that include youth livelihoods, Positive Youth Development (PYD), market systems, skills development, financial inclusion, youth engagement and governance as well as helping ensure cohesion across all aspects of the program. It also includes overseeing the emergency program in Burkina Faso focused on internally displaced youth. S/he will support the COP in technical and operational management of the program as well as ensuring that reporting requirements are met. S/he will contribute to overall consortium coordination, serving as principal point of contact for Burkina-based partners. The DCOP will report to the COP and may be designated as Acting COP in his/her absence.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management and Implementation

● Provide technical guidance to the program in one or more areas such as Positive Youth Development (PYD), financial inclusion, gender and social inclusion, or governance and civic engagement

● Work with the COP and Technical Advisor to create a coherent overall strategy for the program that is implemented in both countries providing leadership, mentoring, quality control and coordination to strengthen program outcomes.

● Support the Chief of Party and Technical Advisor in the establishment of a program and consortium structure that favors integration across all activities and implementing partners.

● Ensure that crosscutting aspects of the program such as adaptive management, gender equality, female empowerment, social inclusion and resilience are included and well integrated into the program strategy.

● Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and is consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values and quality standards.

● Liaise with Mercy Corps’ support departments (finance, operations, HR/Admin, etc.) for operational and program support.

● In coordination with the BYC MERL staff, the Technical Advisor and the component coordinators, and Evaluation department, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.

Team Management

● Oversee program implementation team in Burkina Faso, ensuring that all staff and consortium members are following work plans, activities are on schedule, and project deliverables are completed as planned.

● Develop and oversee implementation of a capacity building strategy for team members that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data and lessons learned.

● Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.

Internal and External Coordination

● Contribute to program visibility and advocacy work by assisting in dissemination of program research and learning information. Represent Mercy Corps in forums with the broader humanitarian and development community.

● Actively collaborate with regional and global counterparts to identify and promote best practices.

Security

● Work closely with the Niger/Burkina Faso security focal points to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.

● Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Supervisory Responsibility

· Overall responsibility for the BYC staff in Burkina Faso. The number of direct reports is to be determined but will likely include the Emergency Program Coordinator, field coordinators and an admin/communications assistant.

Accountability

· Reports directly To: Chief of Party BYC (based in Niger)

· Works directly With: BYC Technical Advisor (based in Niger), BYC Burkina Faso field teams, MEL staff, consortium partners, local government, USAID and other stakeholders, Mercy Corps Burkina Faso country coordinator and finance, operations, administration and human resources staff.

Knowledge and Experience

● MA/S or equivalent experience in development, international relations, non-profit management, business, finance, agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics, or other relevant field;

● At least 7 years of relevant management, program coordination and technical experience working with programs of a similar scope and scale, at least two of which have been involved working in fragile or post-conflict states;

● Experience of working in a consortium of international NGOs;

● Humanitarian program experience strongly preferred;

● Demonstrated technical knowledge in more than one of the following: youth livelihoods, agriculture, Positive Youth Development (PYD), market systems, financial inclusion, governance, community mobilization, countering violence extremism (CVE), or related fields;

● Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and to liaise with donors and HQ;

● Fluency in written and spoken French and English;

● Preference for experience with USAID-funded programs;

● Experience in West Africa, specifically Burkina Faso or Niger preferred.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about increasing youth livelihood opportunities and youth voice and civic engagement. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The DCOP will be based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This is an accompanied location and individual housing is available with freedom of movement beyond the house and office. There are international schools in Ouagadougou (French & American). Mercy Corps team members have good access to essential services, such as medical care, electricity, water, etc. International supermarkets and consumer goods are also readily available. Very hot temperatures prevail for large parts of the year and power outages are frequent. The position requires up to 25% of travel by road to field offices in insecure environments and climatically harsh conditions as well as occasional trips to Niamey, Niger. The position is eligible for R&R but not for hardship pay.

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.

To apply please go to: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=oX5KffwL&s=email