Mercy Corps
***Position is contingent on funding and donor approval of candidate.
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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2003. In partnership with civil society organizations, the private sector, and the government, Mercy Corps Jordan has reached more than 3.4 million Jordanians and displaced populations in the country. Working throughout Jordan Mercy Corps is driven by the mission to contribute to the emergence of a peaceful, resilient and prosperous Jordan which is inclusive of youth and women. We seek to build a future for Jordan in which all people feel secure, believe in the goodness of communities and institutions around them, and are on a sustainable path toward economic self-reliance. Our strategic directions focus on promoting strong communities and governance, peace and social cohesion and environmentally sustainable and inclusive economic growth. With today’s youth becoming the leaders of tomorrow, we see countless opportunities for transformational change.
Mercy Corps is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP) for the anticipated USAID-funded Youth Grow Activity in Jordan. This activity will aim to increase youth access to high-quality career planning information and livelihood opportunities; strengthen youth leadership through targeted support of local youth-led and youth-serving organizations in order to promote youth participation as decision makers and key contributors to individual, household, community, and national well-being; and strengthen Government of Jordan (GOJ) systems, in partnership with youth, to provide more coordinated and effective services, practices, and policies that embody the principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD). Based in Amman, the DCOP will ensure efficient and effective program operations and compliant financial protocols to ensure deliverables are met on time and on budget.
General Position Summary
In close collaboration with the CoP, the DCoP will provide leadership and strategic vision to the design and implementation of the Youth Grow program, to ensure that the program meets its overall objectives, as well as specific targets and deliverables on-time and within budget while modeling and nurturing processes and systems that are equitable, promote transparent and equal partnerships, and shift power dynamics that perpetuate inequalities. The DCoP will supervise program staff and be responsible for ensuring and facilitating the compliance and accountability of activities, including management of sub-grant funds, to Mercy Corps policies and donor regulations and requirements.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM DESIGN AND OVERSIGHT
● Manage the technical components of the program—ensuring that they are properly executed, responsive to changing program requirements, and results-oriented
● Support the CoP in the establishment of a program structure that favors integration between all sectors. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective MEL systems to reach desired impacts.
● In coordination with the CoP, ensure implementation and operational policies and procedures are in place for the program that are in alignment with grant agreement guidelines and other donor guidelines, staying abreast of changes in regulatory environment related to donor/grant compliance; update policies and procedures as necessary;
● Oversee sub-grant administration including implementation, extensions, annual planning coordination, compliance monitoring and reporting and compliance management;
● Provide review and input for program documents (workplans, monthly and quarterly reporting, and other USAID reports and internal progress reports)
● In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular site visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Ensure processes and achievements are documented to ensure best practices are captured and dissemina
● Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan, while applying politically-sensitive adaptive management principles.
● Confirm program participants are effectively targeted according to transparent criteria.
● Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and program participant accountability standards.
● Ensure program strategies and activities represent relevant global good practice.
● Supervise and/or review the work of program consultants.
● Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
● Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
TEAM MANAGEMENT
● Oversee program implementation team, ensuring that all staff are following workplans, activities are on schedule, and project deliverables are completed as planned.
● Develop and oversee implementation of capacity building strategy for team members that promotes a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data and lessons learned.
● Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
● 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.
● Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COORDINATION
● In support of the CoP, represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events.
● Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers as well as with other Mercy Corps programs, with a focus on technical priorities.
● Maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other organizations in Jordan.
SECURITY
● Work closely with the CoP and 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.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS
● Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging program participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: Number of direct reports is to be determined
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Youth Grow Chief of Party
Works Directly With: Other Mercy Corps Jordan Directors or program managers, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program team, HQ Technical Support Unit
Knowledge and Experience
● BA/S or equivalent experience in economics, social or political science, management or public administration, international development or other relevant field to economic growth programming. Applicants with other academic track records who bring a strong track record of work (including at least 5 years of relevant economic growth programming experience) may also be considered.
● A minimum of 10 years of overall experience managing donor-funded programs with Jordan-specific experience strongly preferred.
● Technical experience in economic development focusing on micro and small enterprise development and systems approaches preferred
● Successful track record of supervising, designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded technical assistance programs, with strong preference for past USAID-funded project management experience
● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners. Knowledge of the Jordanian context and key Jordanian stakeholders, as well as work experience in the Jordanian context, is strongly preferred.
● Fluent verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and excellent verbal and written English is required.
Success Factors
A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. This position requires an ability to think creatively about changing norms that lead to greater opportunities for economic growth at household, community and institutional levels. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team 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
This position is based in Amman, Jordan which is an accompanied post. Jordan is a middle income country with excellent education, medical, and other facilities in the capital Amman. Jordan is a very safe country with excellent communications, transportation, and housing infrastructure. Although neighboring countries continue to experience political unrest, Jordan has been a stable monarchy for over 30 years and the destination preference for many people from the Middle East to relax or gain access to available services.
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 Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
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.
How to apply