Central African Republic: Director of Programs

Jan 27, 2017 | Mercy Corps
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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.

General Position Summary

The Director of Programs (DoP) will work closely with the Country Director (CD) and program team to lead new program development and ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability in close collaboration with the operations team. The position will be based in Bangui, with regular travel to the field sites (25%). S/he will help represent the Mercy Corps programs to donors, other NGOs and stakeholders, thematic clusters, relevant government authorities, and other program partners.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. With offices in Bangui ,Bouar, Bambari and a sub-office in Berberati, 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, governance, civil society capacity building, water/sanitation, and food security. Funding comes from a range of donors including the European Commission, OFDA, US Department of State, the United Nations, , and private donations. 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.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

  • Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
  • Lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy, in coordination with the Country Director and Program Managers, as well as the Regional Program Director, headquarters-based Senior Program Officer, Technical Advisors and other relevant staff.
  • Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
  • Plan and lead the country team to assess the needs for program design, evaluate, analyze and further develop a multi-year country specific strategic plan for CAR, in line with the regional value propositions and MC global strategy.
  • Lead the development of solicited and unsolicited proposals and concept notes.

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.
  • Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process as well as capacity building of partners.
  • 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.
  • Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching.

Team Management

  • Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
  • Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
  • Supervise, hire and orient new team members as necessary.
  • Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
  • Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Finance & Compliance Management

  • Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to 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 managers, Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning Manager, Reporting and Communication Officer.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director

Works Directly With: All program staff, both national and expatriate in CAR; HQ-based program, operations, recruiting, human resources, finance, and technical support teams.

Knowledge and Experience

  • BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field. MA/S preferred.
  • 5-7 years overseas experience, including at least 3 years in a senior management position.
  • Experience managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas affected by insecurity and conflict.
  • Previous experience working in Francophone Africa is strongly preferred.
  • Proven track record in program design, proposal writing and development, and donor reporting.
  • Trained and knowledgeable in design, monitoring, and evaluation concepts and methodologies. M&E experience should include conducting assessments and surveys, program design using a logical framework approach, selecting indicators, implementing monitoring plans, coordinating evaluations and data analysis.
  • Experience supervising international and national staff, starting up programs and working in difficult environments.
  • Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including, Participatory Community Development, Livelihoods, Agriculture, Health, Water and Sanitation, Economic Recovery, Women’s Empowerment and GBV programming, Peace-building, Civil Society Capacity Building and Youth.
  • Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.
  • Strong management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meets deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
  • History of working effectively with host country government, national and international NGO partners, and collaborating with other actors, including the private sector.
  • Solid knowledge of and experience with security protocols is essential.
  • Fluency in written and oral French and English is required.
  • Knowledge and experience of the CAR context, along with Sango, is an advantage.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will be conscientious, with excellent judgment and will display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. She will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation of Mercy Corps’ country strategy. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The individual will be a strategic thinker able to bring ideas to implementation in growing program operations. She will have exceptional proposal development skills and an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in the country. An interest and ability to travel and work in very remote environments, and awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles is required.  An even temperament and a good sense of humor are appreciated.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

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 39 years. Bangui is a capital city of about 700,000 inhabitants. Following 3 years of instability and transitional Government, a newly elected government in March 2016 has decreased the insecurity in the country. Bangui is generally free of any serious threats towards international or national staff, outside of petty theft. However, carjacking and targeted looting do occur on occasion. Hospitals and access to quality health care is very limited. Malaria is prevalent. It is estimated that 7-8% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable group housing is available, but electricity and clean water are sometimes sporadic.

This position is based in Bangui and is unaccompanied for spouses and/or children and includes hardship allowance and R&R benefits.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.