Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive – and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity. Throughout our history, Mercy Corps has demonstrated innovation, timeliness and the ability to adapt quickly to changing realities.
- Job Type: Full Time
- Qualification: BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
- Experience: 5 years
- Location: Borno
- City: Maiduguri
- Job Field: NGO/Non-Profit , Project Management
General Position Summary
The Program Manager (PM) will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, management and strategic vision of the program while managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time, on-scope and within budget. The PM will supervise key program staff and ensure high program quality. The PM will be responsible for ensuring strict adherence to internal Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor rules and regulations. The PM will manage the partnership and represent it to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders with support from the Humanitarian & Sustainable Solutions Director (HSSD). The PM will work closely with the HSSD, the program team and support departments to ensure effective program coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of the program’s development, implementation, and management.
- Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and impact.
- Ensure high quality of the program through innovation, active pursuit of lessons learned, adaptability to changing dynamics, and integration of related programming for increased impact.
- Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
- Support evaluation assessments and analysis to identify areas for program improvement.
Program Management
- Manage all operations and activities related to the program according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy. Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, beneficiary targeting and distribution process.
- Lead the team in implementation of the program, ensuring implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts. Oversee ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations. Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.
- Closely coordinate and share information with the various sectors of the program and program staff, including food assistance, cash, shelter, WASH, protection and general program support with regular program meetings and activity plans.
- Coordinate closely with other Program Leads, relevant administrative and finance staff to ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the project are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the project.
- Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to relevant program staff.
- Build the team’s capacity ensuring that there are fluent communication channels, that the reporting schedule is timely met.
- Maintain regular communication and coordination with MCI to ensure leveraging the organization’s technical expertise and connections in NE Nigeria.
- Oversee MCI’s performance and monitoring the sub-agreement for compliance with Mercy Corps policies and procedures as well as donor/government/external rules and regulations.
- Participate and facilitate coordination and collaboration with other agencies.
- Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, and local government in the target locations.
- In collaboration with the M&E team, ensure monitoring, evaluation and analysis are integrated into program design and implementation to promote adaptive management and a culture of constant program improvement.
- Other duties as assigned.
Team Management
- Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary.
- Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations.
- 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.
- Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
- Implement performance planning and management systems.
- Consolidate work plans for each target LGA into one program-level work plan. Ensure timely delivery of activities.
Finance & Compliance Management
- Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to programming.
- 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. Track expenditure of activities carried out in the field.
- Proactively develop and implement budget scenarios at key program implementation stages to ensure timely spending of funds in accordance with donor requirements. Forecast expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the project in a timely fashion.
- Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.
- Ensure all internal and external reports are produced to donor and Mercy Corps standards.
Influence & Representation
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with the community, government and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets are met and donor obligations are met.
- Represent Mercy Corps to government, donors, NGOs and other relevant events at national and regional level.
- Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
- Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
- Coordinate activities with partners, sub-grantees, government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps global staff.
Security
- Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
- Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.
- Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
- Work closely with Mercy Corps Nigeria country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.
Knowledge and Experience
- BA/S or equivalent in development or humanitarian-related field is required, MA/S is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years of management experience in progressively responsible positions, including at least 3+ years working in a humanitarian response.
- Experience managing multi-sector programs required. Expertise in at least one of the following areas preferred: program management, agriculture, nutrition, food assistance, WASH, shelter, protection.
- Strong team coordination, listening, and consensus building skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required, including report development, writing and editing.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop strong, collaborative relationships. Able to represent the organization to a broad range of stakeholders including government officials, community leaders, and local and international partner organizations.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, work independently, show initiative and work cooperatively with team members.
- Previous experience working on ECHO-funded programs preferred.
- Experience working in Northeast Nigeria preferred.
- Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa/Kanuri or other local languages is required.
Application Closing Date: Tuesday 18th June 2024
Method of Application
For Technical Site Supervisors: Interested and qualified candidates should send the below documents to: [email protected]
