Director of Programs – Kabul/Herat, Afghanistan

  • Contractor
  • Kabul Afghanistan
  • TBD USD / Year
  • Mercy Corps profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


Mercy Corps

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 working in Afghanistan since 1988. Following the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA or Taliban) government in August 2021, Mercy Corps Afghanistan (MCA) faced a security situation that led to a full suspension of program operations for six months. With the situation resolved, and operating space assured by the de facto authorities, MCA formally restarted its activities at the start of February 2022.

Due to decisions by MCA’s former major donor, the country program is much smaller than it was when program operations were suspended in late 2021. With Afghanistan facing the world’s gravest complex humanitarian crisis, MCA is committed to rebuilding its country program to deliver impact for all Afghans, working with them toward a more peaceful and resilient Afghanistan.

Given the scale of the rebuilding task, MCA has settled on a six-month transitional period, in which a strong foundation for impactful, quality program growth will be laid. An interim management team will lead the country program, working with a range of internal and external stakeholders to make sure MCA has strong program and operations infrastructure and robust systems for inclusion, accountability, oversight and compliance.

General Position Summary

The Director of Programs (DOP) role is an exciting opportunity to shape how MCA rebuilds. The DOP is a proven leader, who is directly responsible for overseeing the programs portfolio in Afghanistan. Working with the Country Director and Senior Management Team, the DOP will ensure that MCA’s extant awards – programs funded by State/PRM and USAID focused on vocational education and WASH – restart and deliver quality impact, as well as leading growth of a new humanitarian program portfolio focused on WASH, livelihoods, agriculture and food security. S/he will balance growth in the portfolio with ensuring strong internal capacity and systems for program quality, implementation, accountability, and safeguarding. The DOP will also lead in exploring potential for cash transfer activities in Afghanistan, including building internal capacity for the design and management of cash assistance programs.

The DOP will act as MCA’s principal representative for programs in both internal and external fora, including to de facto authorities at provincial and central levels, within NGO consortia, and with donors. S/he will input to policy and communications work where appropriate. S/he will guide program strategies and ensure strong alignment with the organization’s Vision 2030 global strategy, as well as acting as a focal point for key internal stakeholders (including, inter alia, the Regional Programs Teams, Deputy Regional Director, technical support units, PAQ, and research and learning teams).

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

  • Communicate a clear vision of MCA’s present and future program goals, as defined in the transitional action plan, to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programs and work plans.
  • Lead and coordinate participative efforts in humanitarian program development
  • Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to the country strategy, including through fundraising.
  • Identify opportunities for innovative action, coordination and collaboration, creating an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcome.
  • Ensure that analytical, program quality and technical support teams are collaborating with program and other internal stakeholders effectively, adding value to the program and maintaining strategic focus;

Program Development

  • Lead the identification of new initiatives and program opportunities that respond to identified needs and the MCA transitional action plan;
  • Provide overall leadership to relevant Program teams and MEL teams working on the program development process.
  • Support Country Director to cultivate strategic partnerships or relationships with new/existing donors and potential consortium partners to further strategic development opportunities.

Program Leadership and Coordination

  • Ensure effective cross-team coordination, collaboration, communication and alignment of Mercy Corps’ programming and operations
  • Represent MCA programs to external stakeholders, including de facto authorities
  • Ensure regular coordination of program managers, finance managers and operations focal points to review BVAs, operation plans and ensure regular communication;
  • Facilitate sharing and learning across programs portfolios, teams, offices and support teams to incorporate learning in program design and management;
  • Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and Vision 2030;
  • Provide leadership and oversight to ensure program adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations;
  • Support Program Directors/Managers to oversee performance of partners, sub-grantees, and technical contractors;
  • Ensure that programs are implemented on time, on scope and on budget.
  • Promote a culture of inclusion across program teams and program delivery.

PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY

  • Support the PQL Manager in establishing systems, policies and approaches necessary to ensure tools and systems are in place for effective program monitoring, evaluation and learning.
  • Support the PQL Manager to put in place effective program quality tools and measures in place and to regularly monitor and improve quality control;
  • Ensure that programs and MEL team members are actively linked to those at HQ to ensure that global indicators and practices are considered and adhered to where necessary;
  • Ensure all program teams have received training on program quality and minimum standards;
  • Ensure program documentation and program minimal standards are consistently adhered to;
  • Ensure that a comprehensive reporting schedule is maintained and adhered to according to requirements;
  • Ensure program teams are trained on the community accountability and response mechanism (CARM), that CARMs are put into place and operational, and anti-fraud and safeguarding measures considered in program design/implementation.

Team Management

  • Ensure appropriate staffing for program management positions.
  • Develop the capacity of the team, ensure program team members have a clear and deep understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
  • Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
  • Manage performance of program leaders including establishment of clear and measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and regular check-ins.
  • 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 provide mentorship and capacity building to team members as necessary.

Finance and Compliance Management

  • Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to all programs.
  • Serve as overall budget holder for programming; manage and support budget holders for individual programs and awards and ensure project expenditure is in line with work plans and commitments to donors.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

  • Establish close and productive relationships with donors, national/regional/local defacto government authorities, private sector actors, and local/international organizations in Afghanistan, in close coordination with the Country Director, and Senior Advisor on Humanitarian Access
  • Represent Mercy Corps at all relevant coordination meetings and increasingly play a lead role in other advocacy and coordination bodies;
  • Coordinate with other NGOs in Afghanistan to consolidate Mercy Corps’ strategic niche and comparative advantages, while identifying strategic partnerships

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.

Supervisory Responsibility Senior Program Managers; Senior Advisors on Program Operations; Senior Manager, Humanitarian Response; PQL Manager; Grants & Reporting Officer

Accountability Reports Directly To: Country Director Works Directly With: Interim Senior Management Team; HQ Regional Program Team; Technical Support Units’ PAQ; Research & Learning

Knowledge and Experience

  • A Master’s Degree or equivalent in management, international development, economics or other relevant field.
  • A Bachelor’s or equivalent in social sciences, management, development or other relevant field.
  • Over five years of senior-level leadership and management experience in large and complex programs.
  • Experience managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas affected by conflict and insecurity.
  • Prior experience with funding from USG, European, and other leading donors.
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills required, including influencing, negotiation and coaching;
  • Strong management skills with good understanding of managing international, cross-cultural teams;
  • Proven track record in proposal writing and business development.
  • Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including food security, market systems development, gender, livelihoods and financial services.
  • Strong analytic skills and ability to develop solutions to complex issues required;
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
  • Fluent written and oral communication in English required.
  • Strong M&E skills with extensive field experience in developing practical, useful and timely monitoring systems, both at the program- and country-level, which promote the use of data for adaptive management and learning.
  • Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.
  • Strong understanding of conflict sensitive program mainstreaming and gender or protection mainstreaming would be an advantage.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful DOP will have senior level experience in coordinating and managing complex programs. S/he will have exceptional program development skills and an outstanding ability to manage and lead complex and diverse program teams. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams, with strong leadership, communication, coordination and 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. Patience, tenacity, diplomacy and a sense of humor will contribute to success.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kabul/Herat, Afghanistan and requires up to 40% travel to field locations, including Kabul, Kandahar and Mazar-i-Sharif. It is an unaccompanied position. Although Herat enjoys more stability than other parts of Afghanistan, the overall situation remains unstable and heavily affected by an economic crisis. Access to healthcare and basic utilities may at times be constrained. Travel to field sites will be required where living conditions may be basic. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods, although they can be expensive.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on short-term assignments. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, at all times and in all in-country venues.

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.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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

Please submit your CV here : https://jobs.jobvite.com/mercycorps/job/ozmFjfwD


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