About Mercy Corps
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 has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since August 2007, with a staff of approximately 400 people working in Eastern DRC. Mercy Corps’ national office is in Goma with sub-field offices in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces. Mercy Corps’ key programming areas include a combination of longer-term development and immediate humanitarian response programs in order to: 1) Improve water service delivery and ensuring equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, in urban and rural areas; 2) Improve food security and nutrition; 3) Promote diversified livelihoods, economic recovery and development. Mercy Corps DRC’s humanitarian programs aim specifically to assist populations affected by the conflict and crisis in Eastern Congo with multi-purpose cash assistance and emergency WASH support to displaced and host populations. Mercy Corps is also currently responding the unfolding Ebola epidemic in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. The current annual budget includes resources from DFID, USAID, ECHO, UN-donors, Government of Netherlands, OFDA, FFP, SDC and others.
General Position Summary
The Program Compliance and Reporting Manager supports strategic, impactful, high-quality programming in the DRC. The position provides systematic support and monitoring to a portfolio of key programs ensure programs are on time, on budget and on scope and adhering to internal policies and donor requirements. The Program Compliance and Reporting Manager reviews for quality (and facilitates necessary revisions) of external reports and deliverables prior to submission to HQ teams or directly to institutional donor contacts. The position works with the HQ-based Regional Program Team and Regional Leadership to provide the secondary check and supports the program teams (ultimate point of responsibility) in adhering to internal and external policies and regulations.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM & GRANT MANAGEMENT
- Monitor grants/programs for both external/donor requirements as well as Mercy Corps’ internal policies and requirements.
- Provide ongoing monitoring of the status of programs and complete regular check-ins on grant requirements (such as co-financing/match, BVA, work-plans, reporting on indicators, etc).
- Orient new program team members to relevant donor requirements, grant-specific rules, deliverables and templates.
- Review and provide guidance on program management tools and documents, such as work-plans, subgrant program descriptions, etc.
- Review all programmatic reports and deliverables for quality and compliance with donor requirements. Work closely with program team to fill gaps in information and finalize reports/deliverables.
- Support program team’s adherence to Mercy Corps internal policies, Program Management minimum standards and record retention policy. As identified, support adherence to Mercy Corps’ Complex Programs management standards.
- Provide updates to HQ-based support teams on program progress and any grant administration issues.
- In close coordination with in-country program teams and HQ-based support teams, prepare donor communications and approval requests as needed. Act as primary point of contact with donor representatives, as agreed with country leadership.
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
- Support new proposal development as needed. May play a coordination role: setting work plan and expectations, monitoring timeline and inputs of different team members. May be requested to lead-write a proposal or coordinate field-based submission.
- As needed, coordinate partnership negotiation in proposal processes.
EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION
- Represent program and country interests with external stakeholders at country and regional levels, including institutional donor contacts and local and international partner organizations.
- Act as primary point of contact with in-country and regional donor contacts
RECRUITMENT
- Participate in the interview process, providing contextual information on Mercy Corps’ programs and realities of the position and selection for key positions as identified with the recruiting team.
- Support development of consultant scopes of work and recruitment of consultants as needed.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
- In coordination with the HQ-based Regional Program team and Regional communications advisor, support internal communications between teams.
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
None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Deputy Country Director, Programs
Works Directly With: Senior Program Officer and other RPT team members in US and UK, Program teams; Country Director, and Finance Director; Regional Leadership Team; Regional and Global Technical Advisors; HQ-based International Finance and Compliance Teams in the US and the UK
Knowledge and Experience
- BA/S in relevant field required; MA/MS/MBA or equivalent preferred.
- 2 – 4 years of field-based experience in international relief and development — ideally in the region; demonstrated knowledge of relevant sectoral and/or operational areas.
- 2- 4 years of experience managing the development, implementation, administration and compliance (especially of key USG, DFID, ECHO and/or UN donors); general program management experience preferred.
- Experience with proposal development including support and writing with various donors, particularly US and European Institutional funders, private foundations and corporations.
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts.
- Experience representing the organization and its interests to institutional donors and other stakeholders including government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public – preferred.
- Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Preference given to candidates with prior work experience in Africa.
- Proficiency in French required.
Success Factors
The successful candidate is a problem solver, who is adept in successfully dealing with issues of complexity. S/he is a skilled communicator, able to develop and utilize strong relationships with staff, partners and donors. S/he will collaborate with diverse team members in the country, in the region and at headquarters and works to ensure that effectively apply lessons to the design and implementation of activities and to our ways of working. S/he will be a skilled writer and synthesizer of diverse and complex information, helping teams generate new insights into their work, the needs of their countries and the region, and how program impact can be scaled. A robust sense of humor is greatly appreciated.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
This position is an unaccompanied position. Shared housing will be provided in Goma according to Mercy Corps DRC housing policy.
Goma is a provincial capital of over 800,000 inhabitants. Travel may be required up to 25% of the time within DRC and internationally. Living in Goma is comfortable, although water and electricity can be unstable. Outside Goma, travel can be dangerous and unpredictable due to armed forces and rebel activity.
While security is quite stable in Goma, North and South Kivu continue to be an arena of violence and insecurity. Mercy Corps’ sub-offices experience variable levels of insecurity, with the situation closely monitored by UN peacekeepers. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other. Mobile phones and cellular service are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions are clean and secure, but basic. There are a number of health services available with evacuation options for serious illnesses. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA 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
- Job City Goma
