*Note that this position could also be based in Bamako, Mali or Niamey, Niger.
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
The West and North Africa region has a long history of population mobility with multiple migration patterns and flows due to several root causes. Migration decisions tend to be precipitated by a combination of shocks and stresses dominated by the effects of climate change and exacerbated by high population growth, which are driving significant changes to the traditional livelihood practices that characterize the primarily agro pastoralist population.[1] While some populations have been forcefully displaced because of recurrent chronic humanitarian crises linked to conflict and to deteriorating environmental conditions; others migrate voluntarily or as part of their personal resilience strategy motivated by the perceived potential positive outcomes of migration, such as economic gain, new skills, a better quality of life or as a coping mechanism. Migration is a key resilience capacity when it is safe and when the economic and social benefits of migration are channeled to strengthen the individual’s and community’s capacity to deal with shocks and stresses. Strengthened economic stability, the capacity to invest in and maintain economic assets/income generating activities, and the socioeconomic inclusion of migration-affected communities are also key resilience capacities. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to an informed and positive migration in Mali, Niger and Tunisia. The specific objective is to foster the resilience, economic inclusion and stability of migration-affected populations in Mali, Niger and Tunisia, increasing the ability of target populations to make informed choices through improved livelihoods, financial security and increased knowledge about migration risks and opportunities.
Key Stakeholders: Mercy Corps (MC) will have a local partner in each country of implementation.
The action is designed on three interrelated results addressing countries of origin, transit and destination putting mobility at the center of the action by emphasizing a continuity of services for migration-affected populations. The program has started early 2017 and is in its implementation phase.
General Position Summary
The Multi-country Program Manager will provide overall leadership, coordination and strategic vision to the implementation of the Program, managing resources to ensure that the program meets its objectives on-time and within budget. The Multi-country Program Manager will coordinate across the three project countries—Tunisia, Niger and Mali. The Multi-country Program Manager will work closely with the national Project Officers to ensure an effective and efficient coordination between the three countries, monitor deadlines for deliverables and ensure they are respected. The candidate will timely coordinate, compile and review reports for submission to donors in close coordination with the HQ regional program team based in the UK. The position works with country-level program teams as they implement and monitor day-to-day activities, while spearheading the program learning agenda. The Multi-country Program Manager’s work includes clear and concise reporting and communications, both internally and externally. The Multi-country Program Manager spends significant time cultivating and maintains the donor relationship with the EU.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Provide overall leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program development, implementation and management.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to program-wide strategy development.
- Participate in the adjustment of the Mercy Corps regional strategy on Migration
- Ensure strong coordination together with relevant regional staff for vision and implementation on the West, Central and North Africa migration strategy and consistence of the funding opportunities pursued throughout the region.
Program Management and Development
- Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures, and relevant external (e.g. donor) rules and regulations.
- Develop centralized program implementation strategy, systems, tools, and materials.
- Facilitate in-country trainings and workshops to support program goals.
- Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
- Facilitate the design of effective M&E systems including the development of key indicators that will cut across country-specific programs, and the organization of information so that it can be easily accessed by program management and reported out to key stakeholders.
- Actively participate in the design of new project proposals in the field of Migration and in line with Mercy Corps Regional Strategy
Team Coordination
- Ensure an effective coordination between projects ‘teams in the 3 targeted countries, including regular field visits
- Ensure thorough coordination and timely communication on all program-related aspects between in-country teams, HQ regional program team and regional senior management.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach program’s objectives.
- Contribute to team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
- 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.
- Contribute to strategic decisions over budget related matters.
Influence & Representation
- Act as key Mercy Corps representative on migration in West, Central and North Africa region, feeding into the migration strategy and supporting business development, as appropriate.
- Disseminate tools, research, best practices and lessons learned with the international development and aid community.
- Support in the identification, building and management of collaborative relationships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate, and provide recommendations and ideas to the Management Teams in Country
- Act as focal point for the identification, building and management of collaborative relationships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders, as appropriate, in the region.
- Identify opportunities, at regional level and in close coordination with country team, to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon – rather than replicate – the work of others.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall program targets and donor obligations are met.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country
- 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 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
Line Management of the Project Manager Tunisia and Coordination Support to the project Managers in Niger and Mali
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Country Director Tunisia
Works Directly With: National Project Officers (Tunisia, Mali and Niger), Finance & Compliance Officers, and Managers, MEL teams, Resilience Regional Advisor, HQ Regional Program Team based in the UK
Senior Management in countries of implementation
Knowledge and Experience
- Graduate degree or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field.
- 5 years of project management experience, preferably at a regional/cross-country level.
- Preferably 1-3 years’ experience working in migration related projects, preferably in North and/or West Africa region.
- Experience working with EU donors
- Significant experience in proposal development
- Strong Coordination skills.
- Strong monitoring and evaluation skills.
- Ability to work both on humanitarian and development response.
- Strong written and oral communication skills in English and French, including report development, writing and editing.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Ability to work under pressure and within a multicultural environment, requiring patient understanding and mediation.
Success Factors
The successful Multi-country Program Manager will have a background in migrations, microfinance or resilience and will have experience working in Tunisia, Niger or Mali. S/he will have exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. The Multi-country Program Manager will be an experienced negotiator and facilitator, able to understand and align to meet multiple priorities from different stakeholders. S/he will have an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future Mercy Corps program structure. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.
The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The position is accompanied and primarily based in Tunis and it requires up to 50% travel in the 2 other countries (Niger and Mali). Housing accommodation is provided with freedom of movement beyond the house/office contingent to national moderate level of security measure. Amenities in field sites may be more basic. Tunis has a significant international community presence and many western amenities. Tunis has excellent educational and medical facilities.
Tunisia is facing social and economic challenges, while performing its democratic transition.
In 2015, three terrorist attacks took place in several locations and security is a growing concern in Tunisia like in many African and Middle East & North African (MENA) countries.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of 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.
[1] Mercy Corps, Resilience in West, Central and North Africa, October 2015
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More Information
- Job City Tunis
