Deputy Director - Gaza Association of International Development Agencies

Deputy Director - Gaza Association of International Development Agencies

Mercy Corps

Gaza

General Position Summary

The AIDA Deputy Director – Gaza, serves as the Head of Office for AIDA Gaza and reports directly to the AIDA Executive Director. The Deputy Director will fill in remotely or in person as needed for the AIDA Director. The Deputy Director will be responsible for all INGO coordination and engagement with UN and member agencies for AIDA in Gaza. This includes managing the AIDA Gaza Deputy Coordinator. The Deputy Director will be responsible for:

• High level representation of INGOs in Gaza through Heads of Agency meeting, regular engagement with the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator. The Deputy Director will chair the weekly AIDA INGO Coordination meeting and liaise directly relevant working groups including advocacy, operations, access, safety and security – among other issues.
• Compliance and Reporting with AIDA donor requirements and grants.
• Leading engagement with the Palestinian NGO Forum (PNGO) to ensure prioritisation of localization and Grand Bargain commitments of INGO partners.
• Act as a primary spokesperson for AIDA in Gaza to media and other external audience.
• Contextual analysis and contingency planning.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate INGO coordination in Gaza identifying gaps, duplication, and opportunities for enhanced coordination.
• Ensure high-level representation in key decision-making platforms, such as the ICCG.
• Support advocacy efforts on critical topics, such as returns/relocations, protection, and durable solutions.
• Travel regularly to engage with members and external stakeholders in field locations.
• Facilitate coordination meetings, thematic discussions, and planning sessions to support INGO operations and engagement with external stakeholders.
• Participate in/lead key task forces and working groups, such as those dedicated to access and protection.
• Identify strategies to support collaborative and principled work among INGOs, prioritizing the needs of affected populations.
• Stay informed on political, humanitarian, and security contexts and provide updates to the INGO Forum members and secretariat.
• Facilitate representation of the INGO Forum through bilateral engagement with key actors.
• Provide linkages between INGO and NNGO networks and identify collaboration opportunities.
• Participate in drafting context updates, policy briefs, and talking points.
• Maintain updated stakeholder mappings to inform strategic engagement.
• Maintain and develop induction and guidance materials for new members and staff.
• Manage the INGO Forum office in Gaza and its personnel.
• Ensure compliance with donor and host agency regulations, including security procedures.

Safeguarding responsibilities

• Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g. Integrity Hotline and other options.

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

• AIDA Gaza Deputy Coordinator.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To: AIDA Director.
• Works Directly With: AIDA members, UN agencies, AIDA secretariat and Executive Committee.

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree in relevant field or undergraduate degree with significant field experience.
• 5-7 years of experience in humanitarian/development aid, preferably within complex emergencies and/or access-constrained/insecure areas.
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in a senior leadership position with an INGO at either head of unit or deputy country director level.
• Demonstratable knowledge of key thematic areas including access, protection, and humanitarian aid architecture in conflict settings.
• Experience in direct security or access related roles highly desirable.
• Experience in budget and grant management and donor reporting.
• A proven track record of success working in INGO coordination in complex environments.
• Understanding, experience and knowledge of the humanitarian coordination system.
• Experience working in UN coordination/OCHA desirable.
• Proven ability to build relationships and facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical abilities.
• Excellent communicating, briefing and public-speaking skills with a demonstrated history of building agreement and consensus among a diverse arrange of actors.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to present and represent collective views to various stakeholders.
• Prior experience with INGO consortia/forums is desirable.
• Experience influencing policy change and practice is required.
• Experience in the oPts desirable.
• Experience working with national and local partners and NGO forums highly desirable.
• Arabic language skills are desirable.

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