Deputy Chief of Party ( DCOP) – STEP UP Activity

Position is contingent on new funding

National candidates and those with current residency in Mozambique are strongly encouraged to apply

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To create a better world, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long-term impact.

Program / Department Summary

Working in neighboring Zimbabwe since 2002, Mercy Corps began operations in Mozambique in early 2020 as part of a multi-country program to address the drivers of and pathways to violent extremism in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Mozambique. Mercy Corps is building on this program to establish a broader presence in Mozambique to address some of the country’s most complex challenges. Leveraging our core global and regional capacities, Mercy Corps aims to address the humanitarian crisis in the North, the underlying chronic development challenges, and the compounding challenges of weak governance, conflict, and climate change to bring value on interventions for peacebuilding and local governance strengthening; market systems strengthening; youth employment; resilience, DRM, and climate change adaptation; and systems strengthening for food security.

Mercy Corps is seeking a qualified Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Stability Through Economic Progress, Unity, and Peacebuilding (STEP UP) Activity in Mozambique. The Activity is expected to support local businesses and civil society through grants and capacity development; increase opportunities for economic growth and diversification; and improve social cohesion within communities. STEP UP will empower local communities, especially in Cabo Delgado and other areas prone to conflict, to drive their own social and economic development through providing opportunities and tools (including but not limited to grant challenges and activities that strengthen business and social cohesion). The program is anticipated to begin in October 2024. Hiring is contingent upon successful award and USAID approval of the candidate.

General Position Summary

The DCoP will provide technical leadership and strategic management to all program areas. They will oversee strategic planning and implementation of all program interventions, providing technical support to staff and partners and ensuring efficient approaches for the program to meet its targets and deliverables on time and within budget. They will supervise and coordinate the technical/program implementation team, including partners. The DCoP, working closely with the CoP, will contribute to overall leadership, management, and strategic vision to the implementation of STEP UP. The DCoP will be designated Acting CoP in the CoP’s absence and represent the program to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers, and stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP

• Support the COP in steering the program vision and strategy.
• Lead the identification and development of program adaptations that foster and/or improve the program’s strategic objectives.
• Under the guidance of the CoP, set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives.
• Oversee the technical design and implementation of all program activities, working closely with program managers, to ensure technically sound methodologies grounded in best practice for governance, peacebuilding, economic development, and community resilience programming.
• Integrate locally driven priorities and approaches, gender sensitivity, and capacity building into all activities, as appropriate. Certify that all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
• Ensure program implementation in close collaboration with other programs and stakeholder commitments and priorities
• Lead the socialization of the program with key technical stakeholders to enhance buy-in and collaboration at all levels, as required.
• Drive outside the box thinking and exploration of technical approaches and cultivate innovative partnerships in pursuit of program outcomes.
• Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.

Program Management

• Contribute to program management tools (workplans, budget, etc.) that identify key objectives, responsible staff, deliverables, and potential roadblocks.
• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual implementation workplan, and ensure delivery of activities with technical quality and operational efficiency.
• Working with the CoP, ensure program implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective MEL systems to reach desired impacts.
• Ensure that various analyses and studies conducted in the framework of the program effectively inform activity design and implementation.
• Document processes and achievements to ensure impact and best practices are captured and disseminated. This will include the continual re-evaluation of program activities and information, with resulting Activity adjustments in keeping with new insights.
• Manage deadlines and produce written reports capturing the impacts of activities, contributing to and coordinating quarterly performance reports
• Confirm participants are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantees and support partner capacity building.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Team Management (Human Resources, Safeguarding and Diversity)

• Supervise and manage, directly or indirectly, program staff to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated fashion according to schedule, budget, and the highest quality standards.
• Ensure staff and partners have internalized the program vision and theory of change.
• Oversee the program teams and develop the capacity of the program team members, deepening understanding of their roles, and assisting them with tools, resources, and feedback to improve performance and reach professional development objectives.
• Supervise and manage program partnerships and organizations (sub-awardees) to ensure coordination in the context of an inclusive and strategic program management framework.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Finance & Compliance

• In coordination with the country program’s operations and finance departments, ensure effective financial management, procurement, administration, human resources, and logistics (including transport, warehousing, and asset management).
• Monitor adherence to the award agreement, Mercy Corps’ policies and procedures, and relevant external rules and regulations.
• Support the CoP in leadership of monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) analysis processes, with monthly forecasting tied to work plans, and help lead the process of adaptive management.

Influence & Representation

• As directed by the CoP, represent Mercy Corps at donor, NGO, and other relevant events or field visits.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, and other stakeholders and implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Work with colleague organizations, especially USAID implementing partners, to explore synergies in program implementation and reduce potential duplication of resources.
• Encourage, support, and mobilize implementing partners for issue-based advocacy.

Risk Management & Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
• Ensure that activities are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Supervisory Responsibility

Expected to supervise several direct reports. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Activity Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Activity team, Mercy Corps Country Director/Country Coordinator and team, HQ Regional Program Team (Desk), HQ Evidence and Learning Team, HQ and Regional Technical Resources and Quality (TRaQ) Team, Program Managers, Finance and Compliance Teams, HR, and Operations Teams

Knowledge and Experience / Qualification and Transferable Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, international relations, conflict management, social science, economic development, or other relevant field. MA/S or other advanced degree preferred.
• At least 8 years of relevant international development or humanitarian experience, with positions of progressively greater responsibilities.
• At least 5 years in technical or program management roles, preferably in integrated, multi-sectoral programs of a similar budget ($20+ million), scope, and complexity. Experience on USAID-funded Activities strongly preferred.
• Proven leadership and experience implementing and providing technical assistance (as DCoP, Program Manager, Technical Lead, etc.) to Activities focused on or more of the following program areas: economic development and livelihoods, good governance, peacebuilding, civil society strengthening, market systems development, youth development, grants facilities, and/or community resilience.
• At least 5 years in team management roles with demonstrated ability to build and foster an adaptive team culture and inspire program teams.
• Experience in positions requiring excellent interpersonal and organizational skills and proven ability to network and maintain effective working relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with USAID rules, regulations and requirements is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in the East and Southern Africa region is required, with preference for experience in Mozambique.
• Sound knowledge of social and political dynamics in northern Mozambique.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and fluency in English and Portuguese required. Familiarity with local languages spoken in northern Mozambique preferred.

Success Factors

The successful will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders, combining exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining relationships with partners, donors, and key stakeholders and collaborators. They will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement, and adaptively manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the country and region, and in a dynamic security setting. The successful DCoP will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity strengthening, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. 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. The DCoP will also see the program as part of the wider Mercy Corps program portfolio and be excited to engage at a country office and organizational level.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is expected to be based with Mercy Corps in Pemba, Mozambique. On a a case-by-case basis, and depending on conflict dynamics, accompanied status (for partner/spouse) and relevant benefits may apply. Housing is individual accommodation with relative freedom of movement beyond the house/office in Pemba and other locations in the country for which no travel restrictions exist. Staff have relatively reliable access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc. – with the occasional power cuts. Several evacuation options exist for serious illness. This position requires approximately 40% travel by road or plane to field offices, including in Cabo Delgado where there are varying levels of security.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside 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.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our projects.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.