Niger: Chief of Party - SERVIR West Africa 2 Activity (Earth Observation and Geospatial Technology for Management of Climate Risks and Natural Resources)

Mar 7, 2022 | Mercy Corps
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Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact. 

The Program / Department / Team

Mercy Corps has been working in West Africa since 2005, providing humanitarian and development assistance to improve food security, livelihoods, and conflict management. We contribute to inclusive and equitable development in the region by responding to immediate humanitarian needs, building resilience to climate change, and strengthening peace and social cohesion. Mercy Corps’ vision for change requires that the private sector, government and civil society work together to create meaningful and sustainable change.

Mercy Corps is currently seeking a qualified Chief of Party (COP) to lead the anticipated five-year, USAID-funded SERVIR West Africa 2 Activity (SERVIR WA2). The goal of SERVIR WA2 is to increase the ability of local, national, and regional institutions to apply geospatial technologies and analysis to improve decision making and management of resources to improve the resilience of countries in the region, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and ensure appropriate land use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SERVIR WA2 Activity will contribute to the following objectives:

1. Build the capacity of analysts and decision makers in government, civil society groups, and the media to integrate geospatial data, including climate data, and technologies into their analysis, operational systems, policy, planning, management, and communications; 
2. Raise awareness of and increase access to geospatial data and information by improving management and access to existing and new data and information at national and regional levels; and 
3. Create user-tailored geospatial services (such as decision support tools, applications, models, dissemination, and training) to get information to the people who need it to address priority development issues, in collaboration with NASA and other international scientists. 

SERVIR WA2 will implement activities in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and other West African countries as determined by programmatic need.

The Position

The COP will provide overall leadership, management, and strategic vision for the implementation of the anticipated Activity, ensuring that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The COP will supervise all program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies as well as donor rules and regulations. The COP will be the primary program representative for the program with donor including USAID, government entities, and all other partners and stakeholders.. 

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Lead development of a vision and strategy for SERVIR WA2 shared with Activity staff and stakeholders. 
• Leverage Mercy Corps’ existing market development and resilience programming and expertise to ensure technical quality and integration with complementary initiatives. 
• Participate in Mercy Corps’ strategic discussions at the country and global level. 

Program Management

• Oversee program management and administration for the duration of SERVIR WA2. Ensure implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to assess impact.
• 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.
• Develop partnership frameworks, partner agreements/Memorandum of Understandings, and oversee partner capacity building.
• Integrate locally-driven approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Ensure program strategies and activities represent global good practice in use and analysis of geospatial data, including climate data, for improved decision making and planning for resilience.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Team Management

• Oversee recruitment and onboarding of the Activity staff, including expatriates, national staff, and consultants.  
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of staff roles, and assist with career development. 
• Provide team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives. 
• Promote staff accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-one meetings and performance reviews. 
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence. 
• Support Mercy Corps global and regional initiatives for human resources, including safeguarding and diversity, and talent development. 

Finance & Compliance  

• Ensure compliance with USAID 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. 
• Ensure sound financial management, including programmatic budgeting, spending projections, and monitoring of payments in compliance with USAID standards. 

Influence & Representation  

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO, and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.  
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs. 

Risk Management 

• Collaborate with country leadership to support preparedness and response to major disruptive events. 
• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point 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

Supervise the SERVIR WA2 Team, including national, regional, and international staff. The number of direct and indirect reports will be determined at a later stage.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: Country Director, Niger
• Works Directly With: Regional Directors, Country Directors, Other COPs, Mercy Corps programs in West Africa, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders 

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Knowledge and Experience 

• MA/S or equivalent in geospatial science, economics, social science, management, international development or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, including leadership experience for complex, multi-country programs.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a senior management position, preferably for large ($10+ million) and complex USAID-funded activities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders including host country governments, donors, other donor-funded programs, private sector actors, and local organizations.
• Experience working with local, national, and/or regional institutions to improve access to and use of geospatial data and technology in similar contexts preferred.
• Strong skills and a track record in strategic visioning, leadership, and inspiring teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French required.
• Experience working in West Africa preferred.
• Familiarity with USAID rules, regulations, and requirements strongly preferred.
• Familiarity or prior experience with SERVIR programs or NASA’s international initiatives a plus.

Success Factors

The successful COP will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. They will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.