Food Security & Livelihoods Program Manager -Yemen

ABOUT MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, 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.

THE PROGRAM / DEPARTMENT / TEAM

Mercy Corps seeks to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression around the world and has worked in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. In response to acute and increasing humanitarian needs in Yemen, Mercy Corps opened its office in 2010. Primary program interventions include water, sanitation and hygiene, cash transfers, food security, nutrition, and livelihood support. Strategies to enhance the resilience of communities to the harsh environmental and social conditions in the country cut across the portfolio. Currently Mercy Corps Yemen (MCY) has four offices and approximately 100 staff.

THE POSITION

The Food Security and Livelihoods Program Manager will ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) programs in collaboration with other Mercy Corps Department and Cash Consortium for Yemen partners. They are responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the response program including daily management of program activities and program staff; ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results, coordinating with cash consortium partners, ensuring program implementation is in line with Mercy Corps Program management standards. They are a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members and are effective communicators, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. They are responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries, donors, and authorities when required, contributing to the achievement of the response program’s objectives. They will also effectively contribute to the development of Mercy Corps Yemen strategy and actively support portfolio development efforts.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy & Vision

• Actively contribute to the development of the strategy of Mercy Corps Yemen.
• Provide leadership in the development of a coherent strategy for the implementation of innovative and quality food security and livelihoods programming informed by the Yemen context in line with the Country Office, national and sectoral strategies.
• Support Mercy Corps efforts to adopt market based approaches and support the establishment of Mercy Corps private sector engagement strategy.
• Develop strategic frameworks that demonstrate and promote the integration of FSL approaches with other sectors in both humanitarian and transitional programming.
• Develop a strategy that harmonizes structures and practices for FSL and cash transfers across Mercy Corps Yemen projects and programmes.

Program Management and Quality

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and consistent with Mercy Corps’ minimum standards and other relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Quickly identify barriers and challenges and proactively develop solutions in collaboration with other departments and actors.
• Monitor and proactively contribute to the securing of work permits for program teams.
• Work closely with the MEL team in the design and implementation of FSL monitoring and evaluation plans and development and use of adapted tools and processes.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donors and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria, and that feedback mechanisms are in place.
• Facilitate capacity building on relevant program management or FSL-related training for project staff.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.
• Lead the development of FSL and cash implementation frameworks and Standard Operating Procedures including delivery options, service providers, data collection, targeting criteria, beneficiary selection, and monitoring and evaluation ensuring compliance with Mercy Corps Minimum Standards.
• Lead in designing and refining the food security and livelihoods approaches most appropriate to the Yemen context.
• Coordinate with and support other technical advisors to ensure the adoption of an integrated approach within the portfolio and with the broader humanitarian response in Yemen.

Team Management

• Set up adequate team structure, lead the recruitment process for the required FSL and cash team members.
• Day to day management of the relevant program teams.
• Ensure team members improve performance and reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on one and performance reviews.
• 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.

Resource mobilization and reporting

• Actively and closely work and coordinate with the Program Development and Reporting Manager in identifying new opportunities for funding.
• Contribute to the retention and growth of existing livelihoods and cash transfer programming for MCY.
• Actively design and draft FSL programme concepts, proposals and budgets.
• Coordinate the timely preparation of quality FSL reports for both stand-alone and integrated programs.
• Work collaboratively with MEL in the preparation of requisite internal and external reports including our contributions to regular interagency reporting.

Influence and Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local government and other stakeholders.
• Actively monitor cash actions, market prices, FSL response in Yemen and with the different actors in all areas of operation for effective planning and coordination.
• Ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Ensure active, participative and regular Mercy Corps representation in the cluster system and other cross-organizational structures.
• Represent Mercy Corps in high level meetings with partners, donors or authorities as required.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity. Exhibit an awareness of their own strengths and development needs.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies for all program team members under their leadership at all times.
• Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

All FSL and cash program teams.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs.

Works Directly With: Country Director, Program Managers, CARM Coordinator, PAQ Lead, Senior Management Team including HR, Operation and Finance team members and Regional and HQ Program Teams and Technical Support Unit.

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 field projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• MA/S or equivalent in relevant field.
• 5+ years experience with proven managerial responsibilities and leading the technical design and implementation of FSL, cash transfer and market systems development programming, 2 years must be in a humanitarian response in a complex context with international NGOs.
• Experience in the Middle East preferred.
• Experience on value chain development and private sector engagement is an advantage;
• Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Arabic is a plus.
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong management, mentorship and leadership skills with a proven ability to build the capacity of program teams.
• Strong technical skills and expertise in food security, livelihoods, market systems and cash approaches in complex emergency context.
• Strong communications skills with exceptional ability to articulate technical issues with colleagues at different capacity levels.
• Understands donor regulations and compliance (USAID, ECHO, DFID, UN, etc.).
• Effectively manages teams/people and apply relevant Mercy Corps’ procedures and approaches.
• Ability to work under high pressure with multiple deadlines in a challenging environment.
• Excellent representation abilities with proven experience interacting with authorities, donors and other partners to advance strategic objectives.
• Strong program management skills, promoting innovation, collaborating effectively across sectors and departments and adopting a solution-oriented attitude at all times.
• Experience with use of relevant sector design and assessments tools for service providers, market, needs, distribution and post-distribution processes (e.g. RAM, EMMA, MIFIRA, MERS).
• Ability to adapt and work effectively in a multi-cultural context and remain culturally sensitive and appropriate at all times.

SUCCESS FACTORS

A successful candidate will have an ability to work independently, take initiative in tasks and self-learning, and be proactive in communications and development of professional relationships. They will showcase strong work ethics and provide mentoring and leadership for the program teams under their supervision. They will support the update of Mercy Corps Yemen strategy and will contribute to all internal and external efforts to implement this strategy. They will have strong technical skills with an aptitude to work efficiently with high standards and under high pressure.They will be able to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with demonstrated sensitivity to the people and issues in the region. They will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, relationship and cross-cultural communication skills especially in high stress environments are essential for success. They will be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps; have the ability to creatively problem-solve, to juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines and to calmly and diplomatically deal with unexpected and sudden events impacting program operations with patience, dynamism, tenacity and a good sense of humor.

LIVING CONDITIONS / ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This is an unaccompanied position based in Yemen with regular travels to Sana’a, Aden, Taiz Al Hawban and Taiz city. The position is eligible for hardship and R&R breaks. Housing is in group housing. Security conditions in the country are volatile, with a range of violence and insecurity, requiring close monitoring and vigilance. Conflict and corruption have also badly damaged the country’s infrastructure. Air travel is necessary to get from one end of the country to the other, though the road network is good, the security situation often precludes travel by road. There is a landline telephone system, a relatively reliable cellular phone system and internet is available in the residences and offices. Candidates must be able to work in an environment with energy, transportation, and communication challenges. The position will require travel to the field sites in Mercy Corps Yemen’s operational areas up to 50% of the time including travel to some locations that may be insecure or austere. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and as such staff 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 and have signed on to theInteragency 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 toMercy 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.