Consortium Manager – Mosul (Re-Advertise)

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 works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by the Middle East, since 1989 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the region and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has worked across Iraq’s 18 governorates since 2003, implementing relief and development programming, more than a third of which has focused on the specific needs of refugees and displaced persons. Mercy Corps Iraq current goal is to work with new and existing civil society, public and private sector partners to meet immediate and long-term needs by strengthening communities’ ability to rebuild amidst increasing crisis. Mercy Corps Iraq focuses on (1) a relief-to-resilience pathway to meet the needs of conflict-affected communities leveraging agency expertise in conflict management and civil society development (2) a humanitarian response that empowers conflict-affected populations to meet their own needs (3) partnering with conflict-affected adolescents to address their diverse needs, promoting leadership and linkages with civil society.

Program / Department Summary

The “Tazeez” Program (Enhancing Education for a New Generation) is a three-year program funded by Multi-Year Resilience Programs (MYRP), on which Mercy Corps will lead a consortium two international NGOs (Mercy Corps and Save the Children) and two Iraqi NGOs (Public Aid Organization and Iraqi Alliance of Disability Organization). The strategic collaboration will work through community structures to increase access to, and retention in, quality education and enhance protective and safe learning environments for all children. The target population for this program will be supported through an integrated mechanism that ensures safe access to inclusive education for pre-primary, primary, and secondary level learners, with the provision of inclusive and gender responsive teaching and learning materials, capable and skilled teachers, and by establishing enhanced community-based and institutional system efficiency in school governance, education continuity and quality. 

The consortium partners are geographically spread in response to different needs, considering their specialized expertise and interventions. The program activities will be implemented in four governorates: Al-Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Kirkuk and Ninewa. Mercy Corps’ direct implementation will be in Ninewa.

The main outcomes of the program are: 

• Girls and boys, including adolescents (3-18) access continuous, inclusive and gender responsive education services in crisis affected communities. 
• Learners (3-18) improve their sense of safety and social and emotional well-being at learning centers and in communities.
• Learners (3-18) are supported by qualified teachers and provided with quality, inclusive and efficient learning opportunities.
• Enhanced capacity of both community-based and institutional school governance leading to improved education continuity and quality. 

General Position Summary

The Consortium Manager position will provide overall leadership, technical oversight, management, and strategic vision on the implementation of Mercy Corps’ and its partners’ activities for the Taazez program, including partner coordination, assessments, implementation, monitoring, capacity building of partners and staff, donor reporting, and technical support to various project stakeholders. The Consortium Manager will work directly with the Mercy Corps’ Head of Education to ensure the successful implementation of Taazez Program’s work across the targeted locations. The Consortium Manager will be responsible in ensuring Mercy Corps and its partners implement their respective activities on-scope, on-time, and on-budget, in line with the program’s objectives. The Consortium Manager will work with the key consortium and program staff and ensure high program performance and quality. S/He will be responsible for ensuring strict adherence to internal Mercy Corps policies, procedures as well as donor rules and regulations. The position will require representation with peer organizations, local communities, local authorities, and donors, acting as a liaison with appropriate coordination bodies on education-related developments, as well as contributing high standard technical inputs for business development to ensure program quality for planned programs.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Ensure coherence of activities across all consortium partners.
• Work according to the existing strategic partnerships with Ministry of Education (MoE), and Directorates of Education (DoEs).
• Contribute to the technical and operational advocacy strategies of the mission, region, and HQ.

Coordination & Representation

• Coordinate and supervise effectively the activities implemented by Taazez consortium partners.
• Organize, define the agenda, and chair the Taazez project technical working group.
• Organize, define the agenda and chair the Taazez project Steering Committee.
• Ensure coordination with related MoE and DoE to obtain approvals from director generals to assign MoE/DoE support team for joint activities and use the MoE schools for the program activities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including consortium partners, NGOs, government officials, clusters, UN agencies, and community-based organizations to enhance cooperation and coordination.
• Represent the program to the donor(s), government actors, partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO, and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Head of Education, and attend regular meetings with key stakeholders and partners for Mercy Corps’ initiative.
• Ensure that information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate.
• Maintain relevant program and correspondence files.

Technical Support

• Work with the Head of Education to ensure the successful implementation of the Consortium’s work.
• Oversee program start-up and Consortium management and provide technical support to Mercy Corps and its partners and ensure that activities are consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic objectives; and comply with donor regulations and policies.
• Facilitate planning meetings and support to Consortium partners and program teams to develop work plans and budget accurate forecasts for the components of the program.
• Oversee the project activities implemented by the Consortium partners.
• Oversee all aspects of design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and ensure documentation system in place for all activities implemented including meeting minutes, photos, case studies as well as progress reports and archived according to internal/donor requirements, in close coordination with the Consortium MEL Coordinator.
• Oversee all aspects of gender, equity and social inclusion are mainstreamed into the project.
• Ensure all program management minimum standards are met (including risk management, issues management and change management), including those for complex programs. 

Design & Planning

• Provide technical oversight to the teams and mentor staff in the design and implementation of the Consortium’s activities.

Team Management

• Build the capacity of partners and team members in relevant technical and management competencies, deepening understanding of their roles and assisting with career development, and ensure that they receive necessary inductions / training.
• Assist partners and team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Ensure all team members are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations, and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor regulations and Mercy Corps policies.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Manage the consortium budget to ensure that spending is donor-compliant and program-effective.

Accountability / Reporting 

• 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 the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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 findings from endline surveys, evaluations, and internal and external audits are used to improve programs.
• Ensure all internal / donor / partner / external reports are produced at a high level of quality, as required.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• 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. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Supervisory Responsibility: Technical supervision of Consortium MEL Coordinator and Consortium Grants and Compliance Coordinator.

Accountability: Accountable to position description, MC HR Manual

Reports Directly To: Head of Education

Works Directly With: Consortium partners, Program support counterparts (program performance and quality, finance, operations, and human resources teams), Program Manager, Program specific staff, headquarters operations and technical support unit team members.

External Contacts: Ministry of Education staff, NGOs, Donors, and local communities.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields required and an MA/S preferred.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (reading, writing, speaking) is required.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with an international NGO or international organization. Management experience in comparable positions preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience managing resources and understanding the need for regular support and follow-up to ensure that project objectives are being met.
• Experience in Education, PSS, and protection programs.
• Experience in advocacy and mediation are preferred.
• Training and mentoring experience is required.
• High level computer and internet skills are required.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving skills and effective listening, negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a sensitive environment.
• Sense of creativity.
• Strong multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills are necessary.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Existing relationships with local government, NGO and community leaders is highly preferred (letters of recommendation will be a strong asset).
• Commitment to working with vulnerable groups in need regardless of race, religion, or gender.
• Understanding of and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender and youth issues in system strengthening and institutionalization programming.

Success Factors

The successful Consortium Manager will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor, government, and partner relationships. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage programs. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. The Consortium Manager must have demonstrated experience managing governance programs. S/he will have demonstrated skills in managing programs in challenging, insecure, constantly changing environments. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem-solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. S/he will have the vision to transition a humanitarian portfolio to a recovery and development context, with the ability to fundraise to grow the portfolio. 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 based in Ninewa or Erbil, Iraq with frequent travel to Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk, Kirkuk, Baghdad and Erbil/Ninewa. Personnel in this location are expected to follow all security protocols. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit 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 always and in all in-country venues.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES:  

Successful candidates should meet the education and experience requirements in the position descriptions for the Accountability deputy Manager. 

S/he must be self- motivated, creative, tolerant, and able to work in difficult, stressful environments and follow Mercy Corps procedures. S/he must respect diversity and gender equality at the workplace. 

Interested candidates should submit their CVs to the email address [email protected] before the deadline indicated below. 

Please indicate on the subject of the email the title of the position you are applying for, for full position description for the noted posts, please visit websites NCCI and F-Job. 

ALL APPLICATIONS/ CVS SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 06^TH, 2022 AT 4:00PM  

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. Females are highly encouraged to apply. 

Female Candidates are encouraged to apply for apply for this position; Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global Impact.  

Potential candidates for the post will be contacted for an interview and processed according to Mercy Corps Human Resources policies and procedures. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for potential interview. 

Any documents submitted will remain with Mercy Corps and will not be returned to candidates.