Team Leader -Durable Solutions

** This Position is contingent to donor funding**

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 Summary

Mercy Corps has been operational in Sudan since 2009 and currently leads humanitarian assistance and longer-term development efforts in conflict-affected South Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref, and Khartoum States and now in Central Darfur as well, supporting host communities, IDPs, returnees, refugees and farmers. Mercy Corps’ current areas of programming include food security and livelihoods, WASH, health, nutrition, peace building and protection, resilience, and Market Systems Development.

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced Team Leader to deliver a new Durable Solutions and resilience program in Central and South Darfur. This multi-donor funded program is being implemented by a consortium of INGOs mandated to support displacement affected populations in having reduced dependency, improved equity in access to services, and increased resilience.

General Position Summary

The Team Leader is overall responsible for the strategic direction of the program implementation. The Team Leader will work closely both with program managers in different states as well as with the organizational leadership and support staff (including finance, administration and program) to ensure the strategic implementation and day-to-day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget, and required quality. The Team Leader will report to Director of Programs directly with written and oral activity and budget reports (as defined by the Director of Programs). The Team Leader is responsible for the strategic planning and program direction for successful implementation and maximum impact.

Essential Job Responsibilities

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• To manage all program operations related to the program according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy. Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities.
• In close collaboration with the Director of Programs build the Project team program staff ensuring that there are fluent communication channels, that the reporting schedule is timely met and that program objectives are achieved.
• Coordinate and share information with the Director of Program, PAQ Director and CD ad SMT to ensure overall projects targets and donor obligations are being achieved. Troubleshoot on reporting and programmatic needs. Advise supervisor on suggested improvements and necessities, as required.
• Support Program Managers to design and conduct training community in any areas related to the Project activities for staff, other trainings, communities and project beneficiaries.
• Responsible for the written reports on the program activities capturing activities related to Durable Solutions program in the format provided by the Director of Programs.
• Responsible for the drafting of the donor reports and submitted to the Director of Programs and PAQ Director for the finalization and submission.
• Maintain all written correspondence with the program partners and the donors for the effective collaboration and program implementation.
• Maintain donor ad partner relations including sub-awardees.
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Operations, Human Resources Manager, and relevant administrative and finance staff to ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the program are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the program.
• Monitors project expenditures against the approved budgets. Ensures effective application of adequate internal control and risk management procedures, including proper authorization of purchases and payments, and ensures satisfactory accountability of all project expenditures in line with MC financial policies. Work with the Director of Finance to forecast expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the program in a timely fashion.
• As security permits, spend a minimum of two weeks a month at the deep field sites monitoring project implementation and overseeing all projects activities.
• Oversee the program filing system for all Project related activities in the south and ensure that information is organized according to the reporting and auditing needs of the program. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Ensure that all work follows international quality standards and best practices; that all water-related activities minimize impact on the water table and priorities water for human and livestock consumption; that maintenance and sustainability plans are in-place prior to the start if all infrastructure activities; and that agriculture programmes are technically environmentally sound.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

REPRESENTATION

• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, village councils and CSOs in the target localities. Travel to Khartoum as required by the SMT and the Director of Programs.
• Mobilize communities to participate in the design, implementation and maintenance of projects as well as design viable strategies which are both respectful with the local culture and sensitive towards the female population but that are effective in engaging women in the activities of the program.
• Ensure coordination with relevant government institutions (Ministry of Agriculture, Humanitarian Aid Commission, Government representatives, etc.).
• Stay informed on Sudan-wide cross-cutting issues relevant to the Project including Cash Distribution, agricultural programming, agri-enterprise development, livestock issues and community development initiatives
• Maintain all donor and partner relations at the highest standards including seub-awardees

Team Management

• Focal point for all recruitments in the program and assist HR in the recruitment and training of program staff to ensure staff are of the quality and capacity to ensure the successful implementation of all Program activities. Monitor and advise on staffing needs throughout the program. Ensure evaluations and disciplinary measures are made, as necessary according to MC policy.
• Ensure the close coordination and sharing of information between the various sectors of the program staff including engineering, agriculture, community development and program support with regular program meetings and activity plans.
• Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all national staff, including agriculture, community development, engineer/cash for work and programme support staff.
• Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
• Assist team members with information, tools and resources to improve performance & 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.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Continuously asses the security situation within the areas of responsibilities.
• Produce and track incident evets
• Map the challenges ad threat indicators including incidents over the life of the program.
• 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.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Durable Solutions Program staff (South & Central Darfur)

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Director of Finance, Director of Operations, Program Performance & Quality Director & MEL Manager and Country Director

Knowledge and Experience

• This position requires a Bachelor or Master’s Degree in Management, Engineering, Economic or Social Science.
• 7-10 years of experience focused in the management of development Programs involving rural communities to promote Durable solutions.
• Proven experience in Livelihoods, Resilience, Protection, Solutions, Social Accountability and/or related fields in a management capacity
• Has demonstrated experience/understanding of both humanitarian and development work and how solutions and resilience work can bridge them
• Administrative capacity and planning skills to manage a large team of national staff of multiple sectors.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in written.
• Proven solid analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal skills in English is required.
• Extensive travel to program areas is required.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Success Factors

The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required. A demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities is necessary. A professional standard of program, finance and procurement ethics as well as the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential. The post must be willing to travel to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Nyala, South Darfur State (Sudan) with significant field travel to Central Darfur and other field locations in both states including travel to Khartoum for consultation. Nyala is a large town city with basic amenities. There are limited threats (petty theft and operational hazards such as inadequate water quality). Nyala sometimes is experiencing some political, tribal and social unrest following the recent popular movement that lead to significant political change, and due to worsening of economic situation. Protests are not uncommon but usually non-violent. Nyala (and Sudan) experiences frequent power cuts and currently has limited COVID-19 related restrictions in public buildings/places. This role travels to remote field offices in Sudan which are of higher risk more stringent security protocols.

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.