Closing date: 19 Jan 2010 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Central African Republic (the) - Bangui
(216764-927)
Note: this position is contingent on funding.
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operational in the Central African Republic (CAR) since September 2007. Current programming focuses on food security, including agricultural support, water, sanitation, and hygiene, and women’s rights and capacity building. All programs seek to reinforce good governance and build communities’ capacity to drive their own development. Mercy Corps operates in Bangui with sub-offices in the regional towns of Bouar, Bambari and Bangassou. Current donors include UN agencies, private foundations, and the European Union.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Program Manager will lead the implementation and manage all aspects of a civil society and capacity building program. The Program Manager will provide overall leadership, coordination and management of the implementation of the civil society program, managing staff and resources to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time, to the required level of quality, and within budget. The Program Manager will supervise program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Program Implementation: Provide leadership in all aspects of project implementation, development and management. Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan. Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Oversee performance of partners and sub-grantees. Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting: Facilitate the achievement of program targets and objectives and lead efforts to design effective M&E systems related to this project. Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner. Ensure that M&E staff focus on assisting programs to generate practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level.
Coordination and Representation: Under the direction of the Country Director, represent the program with government, donor, NGOs and other relevant partners in the field. Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building: Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels. Implement, and ensure all project staff are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback. Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees, and ensuring that supervisory staff do the same.
Program Support Operations: Coordinate with program and finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support project activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.
Security: Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its work. Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security management priorities.
Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
OtherMercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.
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.
Other duties as assigned.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Staff, HQ Program Operations Team members, Regional Program Director, technical support unit.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field. MA/S preferred.
- Three to five years’ overseas experience. Experience in Africa preferred.
- Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
- Experience working closely with and building the capacity of civil society organizations required.
- Experience building the capacity of independent media in developing countries highly desirable.
- Experience in civic education, democracy and human rights programming preferred.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Fluency in French and English.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful applicant will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. He/She will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong 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.
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Central African Republic is a nation of 4.6 million people, ranked as one of the poorest nations in the world.
Bangui is a capital city of about 700,000 inhabitants, with several thriving markets, an artisan center, restaurants, and shops. It is generally safe and free of any serious threats towards international or national staff, outside of petty theft, which is common. Hospitals and access to medicines is very limited. Malaria is prevalent and it is estimated that 15-20% of the population may be HIV positive. Suitable housing is available but electricity and clean water may not always be available.
Outside Bangui, smaller regional towns are generally calm and safe, but travel between them can be dangerous and unpredictable due to armed road bandits and rebel activity.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff 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.
Mercy Corps is an AA/EOE
Reference Code: RW_7XYDA8-1
