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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2009 to address the societal wounds following the 2007 post-election violence. Since that time, Mercy Corps has built a robust and diverse portfolio in Kenya that is working to address structural causes of poverty and injustice and to strengthen systems that enable men, women and children to access opportunities, participate in and contribute to peaceful democratic processes, and thrive in the face of ecological and social change. To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, address the root causes of conflict, and equip vulnerable populations- in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized social groups- with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to be healthy, productive and to drive the development of their communities. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes the UK Department for International Development (DFID), European Commission (EC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Department of State (USDS), Google.org, MasterCard Foundation, Coca Cola Africa Foundation, and Nike Foundation, Mercy Corps empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. We work closely with the private sector, civil society and governance structures at local and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Kenyans.
General Position Summary
The Mercy Corps Kenya Country Director is an innovative and visionary leader responsible for resourcefully managing all programming in Kenya to deliver impact, harness innovative solutions and influence lasting and systemic change. Building on a strong foundation of programming that has improved the lives of more than 650,000 Kenyans, s/he will continue to oversee the delivery of high-impact, 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 will position Mercy Corps to access funding opportunities that strategically connect programs into a cohesive country portfolio, guided by a long-term strategy. With a total budget of approximately $20 million, the Country Director has full supervisory responsibility for the country team, and is responsible for building a cohesive team that works together to deliver high-impact programming across the country.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Communicate a clear and compelling vision of Mercy Corps’ strategy for Kenya to inspire team members, donors, government stakeholders and partners to support the country objectives and development.
- Build strategic partnerships and relationships to achieve the vision outlined in the country strategy.
- Set direction for the country team by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve the objectives outlined in the country strategy.
- Lead country strategy development and annual country planning using a collaborative process.
- Leverage headquarters and regional technical support teams to support program design and delivery in line with Mercy Corps’ best practices.
- 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.
- Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.
Team Management
- Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and support career
development.
- Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach
objectives.
- 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
guide.
- 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.
- Develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, consortium partners, local governments, foundations, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
- 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.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
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. 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 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.
Supervisory Responsibility: 9 direct (BRACED Program Director, Chief of Party LMS, PEACE III Program Director, EUTF Program Manager, Google Impact Labs Program Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Director, Human Resources Manager, Program Quality and Learning Manager) and 100 indirect staff.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Regional Program Director
Works Directly With:, HQ-based Program, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Fundraising and Technical Support Unit; Staff involved in multi-country and complex programming (based in Uganda, Ethiopia, Jordan, etc.)
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.
- Demonstrated success representing complex programmatic objectives to diverse stakeholders in order to position Mercy Corps as a strong implementer and thought-leader with donors, development partners, government and other stakeholders.
- 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 USAID, DFID, and other key donors preferred.
- 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.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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More Information
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