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
Mercy Corps is seeking a Team Lead to guide the start-up of the technical design and implementation of a five-year, $75m USAID-funded Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) program. The proposed program aims to put Jordanian Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) on a path to recovery, help them access the safety net measures in Jordan, and, most importantly, regain productivity and growth. This will be achieved through a large number of activities and grants to get micro and small enterprises back to work, link them back to markets, and put them on a track to formalization and growth. The Complex Program Start-up Lead will provide dedicated support to key functional roles necessary to coordinate and manage the start-up process including recruiting and onboarding, monitoring evaluation & learning (MEL), compliance, sub-awards, operations, finance and technical support. With a deep study of the program, the Complex Program Start-up Lead coordinates all the Complex Program Start-up activities during an initial 2 to 3 month start-up phase before officially handing over to the IQLAA Chief of Party. Start-up activities include, and are not limited to, the development of an integrated and comprehensive work plan, coordination of financial and personnel resources, onboarding partners, and supervision of any dedicated start-up team members. The Lead bridges the gap between the program’s start-up needs and the existing and available country and regional team’s capacity and resources.
Essential Responsibilities
Analysis & Strategy
● Lead analysis of existing and necessary capacities to facilitate a smooth and timely Complex Program Start-up.
● Lead cross-functional collaboration to devise a complex program start-up strategy and plan including the definition start up timeline – typically 8 to 16 weeks.
● Ensure synergy with program plans, technical approaches, start-up assessments, and commitments. Further any analysis as necessary.
● Identify critical paths and key milestones that must be completed in the start-up phase of the program.
● Serve as a member of the Complex Program Board during the start-up phase.
● Create a start-up roadmap in consultation with country and regional teams and cross-operations HQ teams.
Start-up team assembling and management
● Work with program designers and establish the profiles and duration of the required start-up team members and participate in sourcing.
● Communicate the vision and direction to the team and ensure a coordinated and coherent approach.
● Ensure tools and tracking mechanisms are in place to accurately assess and communicate progress against the start-up work plan, resources (budget & personnel), and issues during start-up.
● Distribute and clarify roles and responsibilities throughout the start-up process.
● Provide coordination and supervision as needed hold to the start-up team accountable to the process.
● Engage in pro-active communication and collaboration with the country, regional, and global stakeholders, as well as, Complex Program implementation team, and with the Complex Program Board.
● Facilitate clear and regular communication between all stakeholders involved in the Complex Program Start-up including the donor (USAID).
Hiring and Onboarding
● Collaborate with the People team to establish a recruitment and onboarding plan.
● Ensure the plans and activities of the people start-up function are fully integrated with the other start-up functions.
● Participate in the hiring of key positions -including developing and approving PDs – and assist with onboarding of culture and process.
● Provide full Complex Program orientation and hand-over for the incoming Program Manager.
Standards and Compliance
● Support the pre-assessment and sub-granting or sub-contracting of the seven sub partner organizations affiliated with Iqlaa.
● Initiate the development of a sub-grant manual that will be required for an estimated of 130 CSOs that will be brought on board through the life of the program.
● Socialize, with support of the PAQ Director, Program Management minimum standards and best practices including PM@MC, Complex Program, Cash Transfer Programming, Goods Distribution minimum standards; and all other relevant standards.
● Foster a culture of compliance and accountability among the team with regards to Mercy Corps, donor and government laws, policies, rules and regulations.
Organizational Learning
● Orient team members to the Complex Programs Process and the Complex Programs Start-Up Support process.
● Capture lessons learned to improve future Complex Programs start-ups
● Develop a comprehensive handover document for the PM, CD and Complex Board.
● Prepare a startup work plan to guide transition to regular program implementation.
Supervisory Responsibility Start-up Team as needed, DCOP for Operations and Finance, and MEL Director
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Country Director
Works Directly With: Incoming CoP, Program Director, Director of Inclusive Economic Growth and Climate Change Resilience, Grants Manager, TSU/Surge Support, People Team, Operations, Finance, Grants/Compliance, Grant Management, PAQ Director, and Iqlaa Partners.
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
● BA/BS degree in a relevant field.
● A minimum of 5 to 10 years managing programs in the field, at least 5 of which at Mercy Corps
● Experience in SMEs support, MSD, or MSD4E a plus
● Excellent knowledge of Mercy Corps structure, resources and processes
● Demonstrated understanding of program management, Mercy Corps policies and minimum standards including PM@MC.
● Strong organizational and work-planning skills.
● Demonstrated attention to detail, meeting deadlines and working and problem-solving independently and cooperatively.
● Excellent leadership, negotiation and representation skills.
● Effective English verbal and written communication, organizational, prioritization and Microsoft Office applications. French or Spanish is not required unless starting up a program in a country where English is not the working language.
● Ability to work across departments to achieve results in a short period of time.
Success Factors
The successful Complex Programs Start-up Lead is an effective leader that can build and motivate a team of people from a variety of departments under pressure and with limited time. They are very well organized, communicate clearly and uses strong interpersonal skills to navigate challenging organizational politics 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. 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/STA 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.
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 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.