Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict.
Program Director, Youth Employment Program
General Position Summary
The Program Director is responsible for the overall strategy and delivery of the YES! program across five countries in Africa. S/he will take on the challenging role of balancing clear strategy and management systems with localization across diverse economies and contexts. S/he will function as the lead relationship manager with The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation and the Coca-Cola System including bottlers and business unit representatives, and other private sector, government and NGO stakeholders. S/he will cultivate new relationships with private sector actors and others to enhance and grow the program, including donors to enable a follow-on Phase 2.
Essential Job Responsibilities
STRATEGY & VISION
- Provide overall strategic direction to the program, and ensure that program objectives are attained across a breadth of work streams in five countries.
- Take an adaptive management approach to develop and innovate new processes, activities or services to improve impact.
- Lead the development of the proposal and strategic plan for an anticipated YES! Phase 2.
- Balance views of multiple stakeholders in strategic planning, including Coca-Cola and private sector actors.
RELATIONSHIP & PARTNER MANAGEMENT
- Maintain regular and hands-on contact with corporate and untraditional donors and partners, including ability to respond to quickly and articulately to questions and concerns.
- Ensure effective in-country relationship management between program teams and local Coca-Cola bottling companies and business units.
- Support development of pipeline of private sector partnerships, including facilitating agreements and bringing together diverse partners for collaboration.
- Ensure effective coordination and collaboration amongst NGO partners and government entities, and consistently cultivate new relationships.
- Ensure that an effective communication strategy is in place to share program progress and successes with program donors, HQ, government and other stakeholders.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
- Function as a technical lead or support for a range of technical areas, including market facilitation, private sector engagement, social enterprise incubation, and youth development.
- Drive effective private sector engagement across the program, ensuring that linkages to private sector opportunities form the basis of the program (rather than just conducting training).
- Take a Making Markets Work for Youth approach, recognizing concepts of mixed livelihoods in youth employment.
BUDGET AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Develop, manage, and revise program budgets across the five countries.
- Ensure rigorous accountability to donor rules and regulations and that all spending is donor-compliant, program-effective and cost efficient.
- Work collaboratively with support departments (finance, logistics, and HR) to ensure that effective program management tools are in place, and that the project is delivered on time, on scope and on budget.
M&E AND LEARNING
- Support the Results, Learning and Research Coordinator in the evolution of YES! M&E and Learning systems across the five countries and their ability to generate rigorous learning products.
- Promote influence based on findings from the YES! program to local and international stakeholders, as well as to Mercy Corps internally.
- Represent YES! at conferences, technical working groups, and seminars related to youth employment and empowerment.
STAFF MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
- Manage a small coordinating team in Kenya, with oversight for YES! program teams (about 15 people) in five countries.
- Oversee capacity building to increase Mercy Corps staff’s capacities in private sector engagement and youth development in all countries, as well as providing close mentoring to YES! team leads.
REPORTING
- Provide detailed reports for a range of stakeholders.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Design and write proposals for YES! Phase 2, building on learning from Phase 1.
- Identify opportunities to develop new activities or additions to YES! 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
Directly: YES! Results, Learning & Research Coordinator, YES! Innovation and Digital Coordinator
Indirectly: Five country-level Program Managers and their teams.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Director
Works Directly With: Country-level YES! teams, Country-level finance teams, HQ Regional Finance Officer, HQ Director of Corporate Partnerships, The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation staff
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience setting up and managing economic development, youth employment or market facilitation programs.
- Experience in Africa required.
- Expertise in strategic planning and management across complex multi-component programs or portfolios.
- Excellent and patient relationship management skills.
- Experience working with corporate partners a plus.
- Excellent written and presentation skills required, for a range of audiences.
- Excellent oral and written English skills required.
- Demonstrated expertise in working with the private sector to facilitate economic opportunities for youth or other vulnerable groups.
SUCCESS FACTORS
The successful YES! Program Director will demonstrate an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset coupled with excellent stakeholder management skills. S/He will be a doer able to step back to see the big picture while getting involved in detailed delivery processes. The Program Director should be able to proactively cultivate relationships with the private sector and should be able to demonstrate strong organizational and managerial skills. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability and thrive in evolving and challenging environments.
LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The Program Director will be based in Kenya’s capital city – Nairobi. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is family accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are many international schools in Kenya. Staff have a high degree of access to services (medical, electricity, water, etc). This position requires 50% travel to Tunisia, Liberia, Nigeria and Uganda (all capital cities).
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to 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.
Country Director
General Position Summary
The Mercy Corps Kenya Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Kenya. Looking to increase interventions that have already directly resulted in lasting improvement in the lives of more than 650,000 Kenyans, s/he will continue to develop sustainable, multi-sector programming that is accountable to both beneficiaries and donors. Placing a high value on innovative solutions to development issues and creative partnerships, s/he pursues funding opportunities that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio, guided by a long-term strategy. With a total budget of approximately $8.2 million, the Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence key outcomes and make a lasting difference in the lives of Kenyans.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Communicate a clear vision of present and future program goals and strategies to team members
- and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
- Lead the annual country planning process and provide strategic updates.
- Use headquarters and regional technical support teams collaboratively.
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome. Remain current with development thinking, including adaptive management, systems thinking, complexity, social impact, value for money, etc.
Team Management
- Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career
- Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally
- and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- 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.
- Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary. Ensure that staff onboarding is timely, comprehensive and consistent
Program Operations Management
- Apply Mercy Corps’ M&E principles and framework to programs and ensure the country’s overall
- strategy includes effective, timely reporting systems for all donors.
- Ensure effective, transparent use of resources in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor
- policies/procedures.
- Oversee budget management of sub-grantees/sub-contractors, if applicable.
- Build and maintain operational systems that ensure proper administrative support for programs, as well as segregation of duties between finance and operations.
- Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide
- Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and
- beneficiary accountability standards.
- Support country teams to improve data collection, management, and use to build a culture of adaptive management, high-quality program performance, and learning.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Coordinate overall country budget; manage budget within approved spending levels and establish an annual cash flow plan to ensure a steady and adequate supply of funds for program activities.
- Build and maintain operational structures that ensure proper segregation of duties between finance, administration and logistics and fully support field programs.
- Build and maintain an environment of collaboration among program, finance, operations and human resource team members resulting in optimal support for program activities.
- Ensure program implementation is on time, on target and on 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.
- 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.
- Work with auditors to facilitate their work and then work with the country team to make changes based on their findings and recommendations.Influence & Representation
- Represent Mercy Corps programs with national and international media and participate in
- community activities as appropriate.
- Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, etc.
- Anticipate needs, understand donor pool and contribute to shaping donor’s views on development.
- Explore, evaluate and present innovative funding opportunities that support the objectives for the country as a whole.
- Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
- Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
- Exhibit awareness of his/her own strengths and development needs.
Security
- Liaise with the VP of Operations, Regional Program Director, and Africa Security Advisor on crucial events, high-risk periods, and incident reporting and security policy changes.
- Manage security and safety of the entire country team and Mercy Corps assets according to best practices, MC operating standards and field realities.
- Ensure the safety and security of staff members through regular review and adaptation of security protocols and procedures including the country security plan.
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 towards 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.
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Supervisory Responsibility:** 9 direct (BRACED Program Director, Chief of
Party KEVP, PEARL Program Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Sr. Human Resource Officer, MEL Manager, YES Program Manager) and 75 indirect staff.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Regional Program Director
Works Directly With:, HQ-based Program, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Fundraising and Technical Support Unit; Uganda leadership and program team given multiple cross border programs with Uganda, as well as staff involved in multi-country and complex programming
Knowledge and Experience
- BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required; MA/S preferred.
- 7-10 years of field experience in international relief and development programs, including
- demonstrable success in managing (large, complex, transitional) development programs.
- 5 years of senior-level leadership, capacity building and field management experience.
- Demonstrated success managing and bringing together a multi cultural team with team members
- in multiple offices.
- Successful and proven negotiation, communication and organization skills.
- Demonstrated experience multi-tasking and success in securing funding for country programs.
- Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government,
- private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments.
- Proven skills in financial and grants management; prior experience with (donor), (government)
- grant management.
- Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to
- obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
- Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Kiswahili is a plus.
- Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.
- Previous work experience in countries where travel to insecure areas is required, and
- management of programs in insecure locations.
- Capacity to respond to emergency and disaster situations as appropriate.
Success Factors
The successful Kenya CD will skillfully represent programmatic priorities of the agency to donors and regional partners while providing effective leadership to the Mercy Corps program team. S/he will have high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building and will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. The role is a hands-on position and success will be determined by the level of direct engagement in program development, oversight of projects, fundraising for new projects and representing the agency to stakeholders. The successful CD should welcome multi-tasking and taking an active role in program design and overarching strategy. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The CD is based in the capital city – Nairobi. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is family accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are many international schools in Kenya. Staff have a high degree of access to services (medical, electricity, water, etc). This position requires 35% travel by road and air to field offices in often insecure environments.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Consultancy Opportunity: Institutional and Context Analysis
Purpose / Project Description:
Based on experiences from past elections, the political landscape is likely to change as we approach August 2017, with possible new alliances, and defections after the party nominations/ primaries.
To support flexible programming and quick response including the facilitation of multi-stakeholder dialogues based on proper understanding of shifted dynamics since November 2016, Mercy Corps plans, jointly with IESCs to conduct a rigorous institutional and context analysis to understand new relationships and the processes that would have changed after the political party nominations/primaries.
The analysis will help the program determine new political interactions including any changes in the distribution of power and resources between groups/political parties and individuals, and the processes likely to create, sustain and transform these relationships over the election period
Illustrative Consultant Activities and Timeframe:
Detailed activities and exact dates will be refined based on consultant skills and a more specific scope of work presented during hiring negotiations. The institutional and context analyst (ICA) will commit to approximately
30 days starting May 5, 2017.
- Work with Mercy Corps and Champions of Peace staff to identify appropriate individuals with peace committees and integrated electoral security committees for interviews and FGS.
- Conduct a thorough literature review of the institutions and political dynamics of the four counties.
- Conduct a dissemination workshop to share the outcome of the findings
- Analysis and synthesis of existing information on local capacities for electoral violence mitigation
- Recommendations for key actors within sub counties including key election related points of conflicts, potential hotspot areas, and specific strategies or interventions Mercy Corps and its partners should consider, and areas where additional resources might be required.
The Consultant will report to:
KEVP Chief of party
The Consultant will work closely with:
The KEVP Deputy Chief of Party, Champions of Peace Program Manager, and members of the assessment team
Consultancy Opportunity: Institutional and Context Analysis
Profile of the Consultant:
The consultant shall have the following skills and experiences:
- Highly knowledgeable of election conflicts and violence in Kenya and specifically in the counties of Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nandi.
- Highly skilled researcher with demonstrated past research work on conflict and stakeholder analysis
- Experienced negotiator/mediator with proven past experience
- Minimum 5 years work experience in related field
- Strong analytical and writing skills
- Expression of Interest
Qualified persons interested in undertaking this assignment should send an Expression of Interest consisting of:
- A short proposal on how the assignment will be undertaken (The proposal must be concise and straight to the point adhering to the timeframe)
- A clear work plan
- Budget
- Curriculum vitae of the key personnel
- Applications by organizations to include a brief history of the organization and relevant experience
Assessment Criteria
- All proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:
Criteria Detail Points
Experience of Applicant
- Combination of organizational or individual experience, profiles of key individuals on the project, and provided demonstrations of work
- Technical proposal Quality proposals will provide detail of the approach, training methodology, duration of training activities, examples of negotiation/mediation curriculums
- Value for Money Cost of work, compared to quality of anticipated products being provided
Method of Application
Use the link(s) / email(s) below to apply on company website.
Proposals in sealed envelopes should be dropped at the Mercy Corps Nairobi Office at ABC Place, Building 3, 1st Floor on or before April 21, 2017, 3pm.
Or mailed.
Applicants seeking clarifications on this bid should send their questions/quarries to [email protected]
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
