Director of Programs

Mercy Corps

Juba, South Sudan

The Position

The Director of Programs (DoP) role is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our growing programs in the country. The DoP is a proven leader that is directly responsible for overseeing the portfolio in South Sudan while engaging with donors and partners to lead business development efforts. The role will work closely with the Country Director (CD) to lead new program development and strategy, and ensure effective program coordination and technical support, program quality and accountability in close collaboration with the operations, finance and internal control teams. The DOP may be asked to act as Country Director.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

Support Country Director to communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals of Mercy Corps to team members and stakeholders;
Support countrywide program strategy and business development planning and mobilize resources to deliver strategic goals;
Identify opportunities for innovative action, coordination, and collaboration, creating an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome;
Ensure that analytical, program quality and technical support teams are collaborating with program and other internal stakeholders effectively, adding value to the program and maintaining strategic focus.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

In coordination with relevant country, regional and global colleagues, lead the identification of new initiatives and program opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy;
Provide overall leadership to relevant Program teams and MEL teams working on the program development process;
Cultivate strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors.

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY

Provide leadership and oversight to program team to ensure program adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations;
Support Program Directors/Managers to oversee performance of teams and partners;
Promote a culture of gender-sensitive, and where appropriate, gender-transformative programming;
Support the MEL Manager to put in place effective program quality tools and measures in place and to regularly monitor and improve quality control.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Manage performance of program leaders including establishment of clear and measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and regular check-ins;
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
Hire, orient and provide mentorship and capacity building to team members as necessary.

INFLUENCE AND REPRESENTATION

Establish close and productive relationships with donors, national/regional/local government authorities, private sector actors, and local/international organizations in South Sudan in close coordination with the Country Director, Heads of Offices, and Program Directors;
Represent Mercy Corps at all relevant coordination meetings and increasingly play a lead role in other advocacy and coordination bodies;
Coordinate with other NGOs to consolidate Mercy Corps’ strategic niche and comparative advantages, while identifying strategic partnerships.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

The DoP supervises Food Security and Livelihoods Advisor; the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager; and the Governance Technical Lead.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Country Director;
Works Directly With: All members of the SMT, and finance, HR and Operations at country level.

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.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

BA/S or equivalent in International Development or relevant field. MA preferred;
5 – 7 years management experience with specific experience and skills in program development including community-based project design, assessment and evaluation and grants management;
Experience in donor engagement and managing consortiums with international partners and multiple donor experience (USAID, FCDO, EC, ECHO, UN Agences etc.).
Current or previous Mercy Corps experience preferred;
Five years overseas experience including working with diverse, multicultural teams;
Proven skills in listening to, learning from, training, and mentoring key staff regarding development and other relevant issues;
Proven success managing the administration and compliance of donor funding and the ability to develop proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission is required;
Solid analysis and strategic planning skills as well as a proven practical and theoretical understanding of the project cycle, issues of community development and relief are necessary;
Proven ability to develop a program and to conceptualize and successfully lead and manage a team throughout the entire program cycle is vital;
Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations, and other groups;
Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary;
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required;
Experience with emergency response and development programs and staff training.