Tanzania Country Coordinator – Brics i i 403 views0 applications

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.

Mercy Corps has a robust portfolio in East Africa, with country offices in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Ethiopia 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. 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 citizens.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps seeks to implement a multi-year, 12 million GBP program funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF). Building Resilience in Civil Society (BRICS II) will engage local and national government, local civil society organizations and communities to mitigate the drivers, enablers and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa through support to policy initiatives, community engagement, and community level interventions in order to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals by violent extremist organizations. The program will work primarily in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda, through strategies adapted to the context and opportunities in each country to advance research, legislation and field implementation of activities.

General Position Summary

The Tanzania Country Coordinator will work closely with the Program Lead and with other technical sector leads to develop a comprehensive strategy to effect change in Tanzania and ensure that community-level interventions, government policies, and research are delivered in a complementary and mutually-reinforcing  way to achieve maximum impact. The Country Coordinator will be responsible for leading activities within Tanzania to advance research, legislation and field implementation of interventions to mitigate and address the risk of violent extremism, and will be the primary representative with the British High Commission in Tanzania for the project. S/he will work with the research team to identify priority research questions, and will identify key stakeholders for the dissemination of the research. Working with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, s/he will identify opportunities to influence and shape CVE policy at the local and national level, and will build relationships with policymakers to support the development of effective policy interventions to prevent or counter violent extremism. Finally, s/he will work with local civil society organizations to design and support interventions to address CVE risk factors, including the identification and design of community initiatives, coaching and capacity-building support to local CSO, and monitoring of interventions undertaken by CSOs.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Play a key role in developing the program strategy and direction for Tanzania by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives.
• Contribute to shaping the project’s research and influencing agenda, working with the Research and Advocacy Leads to integrate and advance research, learning and advocacy in order to deepen the contextual understanding of VE drivers in Tanzania and effective strategies to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into violent extremist organizations.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Mercy Corps’ BRICS II activities in Tanzania, in cooperation with key project stakeholders, including local and international partner organizations, local civil society organizations, local and national gover
• Lead in the structuring of partner roles and responsibilities for the delivery of program interventions, oversee their activities and provide continuous technical support and capacity building as required.
• Build a network of local organizations to engage on policy and implementation at the sub-national and County level.
• Oversee performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees, and provide team members and implementing partners with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Regularly coordinate with project staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
• 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.

MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E) AND REPORTING

• Work closely with the project M&E Manager to ensure that effective M&E systems and processes are embedded within the program implementation unit and that data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform ongoing adaptation of program strategies and delivery approaches.
• Assess and analyze impact and adaptively manage the project to meet results.
• Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and work plans on all aspects of Tanzania program delivery in a timely and efficient manner.

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING

• Lead conflict sensitivity training for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and continuously review the program activities to ensure no harm is being done.
• Enhance the project teams’ capacity by designing and leading technical training sessions for Mercy Corps staff and local partners and providing ongoing coaching and mentoring.

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.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Team Lead

Works Directly With: Research Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy Director, MEL Manager, Finance and Sub-Grants Manager, local and national government officials, local civil society organizations, implementing partners and communities.

Knowledge and Experience

• Master’s degree in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution or related discipline.
• At least 5 years experience working on countering violent extremism programming, conflict mitigation and resolution, and/or violence reduction and prevention programs.
• In-depth understanding of the Tanzanian context, including governance and policy structures, conflict drivers, and key stakeholders working within the peacebuilding space.
• Demonstrated experience working to influence local and national government policies to promote peace-building and development outcomes.
• Solutions-oriented individual, with strong strategic thinking capabilities.
• Demonstrated effectiveness managing a diverse team of staff, consortium partners and local implementing partners, building a cohesive and results-oriented team to deliver on complex programming result.
• Experience working with a diverse range of community members to discuss sensitive and delicate topics in a conflict-sensitive manner.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Excellent verbal and inter-personal communications skills.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, skill, and experience working within different cultural settings and navigating public affairs and communications on sensitive issues.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have strong leadership skills as demonstrated by the ability to lead a diverse team to work together to achieve program objectives related to complex and sensitive issues related to security, violence preventions and vulnerable groups. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and crosscultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps. S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.