Programme Director – Market Opportunities (DFID EOVG)

Job Description

Mercy Corps is an international non-profit humanitarian organization with the guiding principles of Accountability, Participation and Positive Change. In Ethiopia, Mercy Corps currently operates in the following sectors: Economic and Market Development, Urban Climate Change and Development, Natural Resource Management, Water and Sanitation, Resilience, Emergency Response and Nutrition. Mercy Corps Ethiopia adopts a community-led, market-driven approach and works with communities as well as the public, private and non-profit sectors to implement sustainable relief, recovery and development interventions. Mercy Corps Ethiopia has projects ongoing in the Afar, Oromia, SNNP and Somali regions.

The core objective of the overall DFID-financed Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups programme (under the PDP framework) is to “contribute to a more stable and inclusive Somali Region” in support of the Government of Ethiopia’s (GoE) Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) priorities, specifically in the Somali Regional State (SRS). The PDP framework as a whole consists of four components: 1) Basic Services Delivery, 2) Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups, 3) Safety and Justice, 4) Monitoring and Evaluation. DFID expects that all component leads will actively coordinate efforts among themselves.

The Economic Opportunities for Vulnerable Groups (EOVG) component of the PDP has been awarded to Mercy Corps under the name Market Opportunities in the Somali Region of Ethiopia (MORE). MORE will be implemented between August 2015 and February 2020, and will also encourage a more supportive business environment and livelihood opportunities; alternative opportunities need to be created for vulnerable groups (youth and people transitioning), but also to empower change agents (youth and women). MORE will adopt systems-level thinking as its underpinning strategies while mixing those as appropriate or necessary with other approaches.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Programme Director is a senior management position with Mercy Corps in Ethiopia with supervisory and managerial responsibility for a multi-year project. S/he provides the vision and leadership in project administration and manages overall project implementation ensuring high quality performance. S/he maximizes budget resources and personnel development and remains flexible in a continually changing environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Vision, Leadership and Strategy

Communicate a clear vision of the MORE programme, and how it fits into Mercy Corps’ country and regional strategies and well as Mission Statement;Provide leadership and direction;Ensure programme strategy is clear and communicated to team members, local beneficiaries and government, and the international community;Collaborate and ensure synergies with other relative Mercy Corps programmes; andEnsure that the Contract-specific requirements of this programme are met (as this funding comes from DFID under the modalities of a Contract and not a Grant).

Commitment to Quality Programme and Staff Development

Assemble all components necessary to ensure quality programming and recruit, facilitate training of, and manage an informed, motivated and efficient staff maintaining a strong focus on national team members;Establish and maintain effective programme reporting, as well as M&E systems for both internal and external use and ensure high quality input from external evaluators; andConduct prudent and timely assessments of security environment in project areas; enforce necessary security protocols balancing project needs with security constraints and under direction of the Country Director.

Representation & Diplomacy

Develop and maintain both internal and external relationships to ensure optimum programme success: to include Mercy Corps HQ and regional officers and staff, international and local NGOs, government officials, donor community officials particularly DFID, diplomatic corps and embassies, vendors, media and the general public.

Fiscal, Compliance Management and Accountability

Coordinate and manage overall programme budget within approved spending levels and ensure compliance with all donor and Mercy Corps rules and regulations;Ensure adherence to operational imperatives as per internal/ external audit requirements; utilize best practices based on Mercy Corps internal policies; andEnsure accurate and timely programme financial reporting to the donors and Mercy Corps’ headquarters.

Communications

Nurture appropriate Mercy Corps public relations, DFID and other agency relationships; andRepresent Mercy Corps to national and international media as requested.

Organizational Learning

As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.

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 design, monitoring and evaluation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

All project team members under the funded grant.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports directly to: Ethiopia Country Director

Works directly with: PRIME Chief of Party; Cluster Programme Managers; Finance Director; HR & Legal Director; Operations Manager; DME National Manager; Mercy Corps Europe HQ Senior Programme Officer and other HQ staff

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

MA/MSc or equivalent in agriculture, agronomy, financial services, economics or related field;Minimum of seven years’ senior-level field leadership experience required, 10-15 years preferred;Prior experience working with pastoralist communities in the Horn of Africa, or elsewhere, required;Prior experience coordinating a consortium of local and international partners;Familiarity with DFID protocols required – specifically with the Contract funding modality;Demonstrated success in projects related to financial services, agricultural livelihoods, agro-processing and marketing and value chain programming;Proven skills in financial management;Demonstrated ability to function as a social entrepreneur and proven success with building, managing and leading a team of professionals and the ability to function as a team player among peers;Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills;History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments;Ability to work comfortably, effectively and creatively within the cultural environment of Ethiopia and areas of poor security required.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful Programme Director will be a self-starter, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures. S/he will be a team-player with positive attitude to problem solving and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff, and will be able to apply creative solutions to programme quality and team-building. S/he will also have the skill to engage, motivate and encourage staff to bring creative solutions to development issues, identify opportunities for increased impact, and pursue project objectives.

LIVING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The position will be based in Addis Ababa with about 50% travel to the MORE programme operational sites, as well as occasional international travel. The Programme Director is expected to follow all security protocols including limited movement when necessary. Internet connectivity and communication across Ethiopia is improving but remains unreliable at times. Addis Ababa offers numerous international style restaurants, though security and cultural considerations are always to be taken into account. There are daily flights from Addis Ababa to several European, Middle Eastern and African 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/TDY 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.

Closing date: Oct 31,2015

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How to Apply

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Job Categories: Sales and Marketing Jobs. Job Types: Full-Time. Job expires in 30 days.

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