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 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.
General Position Summary
Under the funding of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mercy Corps in partnership with Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and Advance Consulting (AC) – also representing Agriterra – is implementing a three-and-a-half year, €7.4 million programme. The programme aims to improve the income opportunities and longer-term resilience of smallholder farmers in Balqa, Irbid, and Ajloun with a series of complementary interventions to strengthen the broader horticulture sector. Building off ongoing efforts supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders, the programme targets three main outcomes:
- Smallholder farmers have adopted improved agricultural practices;
- Horticulture value chain for Smallholder Farmers operating at scale, efficient and inclusive;
- Improved ecosystem to support and strengthen smallholder farmers.
The Director is responsible for the technical and operational implementation of all Mercy Corps activities for the Jordan HortiFuture Programme that focuses support on the ancient olive oil sector as well as the development and management of grants to sectoral stakeholders. S/he will facilitate strong relationships between consortium partners and relevant programme stakeholders, including National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Agriculture Credit Corporation (ACC), Agro for Consultation and Training company (ACT) and Jordan Cooperative Corporation (JCC). S/he will be responsible for grounding consortium partner understanding of agriculture economic development programming in Jordan. S/he will support monitoring and evaluation needs and programme reporting.
The position will be supervised by the Director of Inclusive Economic Growth and Climate Change Resilience.
Essential Job Responsibilities
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (QUALITY) AND ACCOUNTABILITY
● Communicate a clear vision of programme goals to team members and stakeholders that translates into concrete programme and work plans.
● Provide strategic leadership and oversight for Mercy Corps’ programme activities while maintaining expert awareness of facts and trends in Jordan.
● Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed; promote and model a culture of learning and adaptive management.
● Work closely and demonstrate a commitment to consortium partners to successfully implement all operations related to the programme.
● Ensure that cross-cutting aspects of the programme such as adaptive management, market-based development approaches, gender equality, social inclusion, youth, climate adaptation, and resilience are included and well-integrated into the program.
● Demonstrate visible leadership and adherence to Mercy Corps’ core values, principles and strategy. Ensure all programming follows Mercy Corps’ internal systems and procedures.
● Ensure implementation of Mercy Corps programme activities is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
● Develop mechanisms for targeted research to inform program design and implementation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Design and conduct market linkages events;
- Provide technical support to sub-grants, exports, and training activities;
- Lead the development of inclusive agriculture pilots;
● Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps PM@MC minimum standards within the programme.
● Ensure implementation and modeling of safeguarding policies and procedures in all interactions with team members, partners and programme participants.
CONSORTIUM MANAGEMENT & DONOR ENGAGEMENT
● Effectively manage partnerships between the different parties of the consortium to ensure smooth and efficient collaboration.
● Ensure regular and open/transparent communication between consortium partners.
● In close coordination with the support department, ensure that contractual agreements between Mercy Corps and Consortium partners are developed and signed.
● Regularly communicate with consortium Programme Management Committee representatives on programme activities, ensuring implementation is coordinated between partners.
● Convene regular (e.g. monthly, quarterly) Consortium Executive Committee meetings to discuss programme and financial issues, disseminate minutes and follow up on action points.
● Create a positive, productive culture within the consortium that ensures smooth implementation of activities, including engagement with NARC, ACC, JCC and other programme stakeholders.
● Coordinate, lead and consolidate the development and revision of consortium work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes to ensure all implementing partners have clear direction and understanding of roles and responsibilities;
● In partnership with consortium members, facilitate an adaptive management process, leading at least an annual review of data and programme targets;
● Ensure that programme implementation is responsive to the needs of programme participants, consortium partners and stakeholders
● In collaboration with consortium partners, ensure implementation of activities are aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan;
● Conduct co-evaluation with partners to understand the impact and prepare for further integration or scale, if possible.
● Represent the consortium to the donor, functioning as primary liaison with the Royal Netherlands Embassy.
● Develop, manage and maintain a good working relationship with the donor, the Government of Jordan as well as other stakeholders in the programme.
MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING
● Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the component activities in close coordination with the M&E Coordinator and Consortium partners, including monitoring, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
● Work closely with the Communications and Reporting Coordinator to accurately report on M&E data collected from the field so it is clearly reflected in the programme reports.
● Lead the development and implementation of the country-level MEL strategy and structure, in alignment with Mercy Corps M&E standards and best practices. Ensure the MEL system and strategy feeds into broader country strategy.
● Foster a programmatic culture of evidence-based, data-driven decision-making, including ensuring the effective design and integration of gender sensitive monitoring and evaluation systems (including SADD) and protection monitoring methodologies into all stages of the programme.
● Ensure the adherence to PM@MC MEL Minimum Standards across programme identification, design, planning, implementation and closure.
● Ensure the usage of data management tools – including TOLA and ensure the set up/implementation of harmonized MEL Systems to collect, monitor and document programme activities.
● Ensure close coordination with consortium partners on M&E system development, ongoing monitoring, formative research and planning for baseline, midterm and final evaluations.
FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE & SUB-GRANT MANAGEMENT
● Support Grants Coordinator and Grants Officer in the design and management of programme sub-grants;
● Responsible for the management of the Mercy Corps overall programme budget;
● Regularly monitor expenditure to ensure that the Mercy Corps program adheres to the approved budgets.
● Preparing budget reviews and revisions of the Mercy Corps budget.
● Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations.
● Create and maintain systems to ensure effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps needs
TEAM MANAGEMENT
● Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
● Promote a culture of learning through systematic analysis and reflection of program data.
● Hire, orient and supervise new team members as necessary.
● Provide supervision to HortiFuture team members, ensure their work is aligning and contributing effectively to the programme’s strategy
● Ensure access to immediate support and that effective workflows are created between the different unit members.
● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence together.
● Build a cohesive team spirit and culture among staff and clearly delegate functions and responsibilities.
REPRESENTATION AND COORDINATION
● Attend coordination meetings and/or represent Mercy Corps in relevant forums to ensure that information is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate. Contribute to thought leadership.
● Represent Mercy Corps Jordan in meetings and discussions on agriculture and livelihood topics.
● Liaise and coordinate directly with Consortium partners to ensure strong alignment between Mercy Corps and partner implementation of activities and work plans.
● Coordinate with donor and government agencies to provide updates on programming as needed.
● Represent the programme vis-a-vis donors, government and other stakeholders.
● Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programming including youth, social stability, and water/energy to synchronize responses.
● Participate in workshops and taskforces, as needed, to inform strategy development and improved service delivery.
● Contribute to development communication materials that highlight HortiFuture programming.
● Participate in planning and implementation of the Mercy Corps Jordan’s livelihoods/economic development programming, communications, advocacy, and programme development.
● Establish platforms for dialogue, experience sharing and deepened cooperation.
● Participate in agricultural sector and livelihoods working groups and support program advocacy.
● Represent Mercy Corps’ work at Amman and field-based levels, as needed, to foster greater connections, learning and information sharing.
● Create synergies between different initiatives implemented under the Dutch-funding in Jordan and other programmes targeting the agricultural sector (particularly in Irbid, Balqa and Ajloun).
Organizational Learning
● As part of MC’s commitment to organizational learning and in support of MC understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient, and relevant to the communities they serve, MC expects all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Supervisory Responsibility
Grants Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Data Collection Officer
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Director of Inclusive Economic Growth and Climate Change Resilience
Works Directly With: Agriculture and Value Chains advisor, Consortium Partners, Program Partners, Mercy Corps Operations, Finance, PAQ, and Human Resources teams, Mercy Corps HQ Technical Support Unit
Knowledge and Experience
● BA/S or equivalent in agriculture, social science, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field.
● More than 7 years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in the agriculture sector.
● Demonstrated ability to successfully implement and manage economic development programming.
● Proven ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders, and to play a leadership role in convening groups. Astute skills in relationship building and coordination.
● Extensive experience with business development, monitoring and evaluation, gender, information management, and learning efforts. Certification in PMD pro or other relevant program management training is a plus.
● Experience with relief and socio-economic development work in a vulnerable context.
● Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required.
● Experience working in complex environments and be able to make informative decisions when needed.
● Ability and interest in working with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner.
● Strong writing and analytical skills and the ability to communicate clearly.
● Excellent English writing and communications skills required.
● Willingness and ability to travel frequently to Mercy Corps Program sites and field locations.
● Fluency in written and spoken English; Dutch fluency a plus.
● Understanding of the agriculture markets in Irbid, Ajloun and Jordan Valley a plus
Success Factors
● Experience in all phases of program management and demonstrated organizational skills.
● Being able to navigate complex team dynamics and achieve aims.
● Ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied experiences and work styles.
● Being a passionate and energetic leader.
● Listening and diplomacy skills.
● Strong commitment to quality, learning and programmatic excellence.
● Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
● Multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize competing priorities and meeting deadlines.
● Proven ability to take initiative, operate independently, and be accountable for results.
● Ability to maintain a sense of humor in stressful situations.
● Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
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. In recent years, events unfolding in Syria and Iraq have increased local concerns over the continued stability of Jordan but to date there have been no incidents.
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 always and in all in-country venues.
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 e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.