Team Leader (Program Director), Social Cohesion - Mali

*This position is fully contingent on donor award and approval*

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.

About Mercy Corps in Mali

Mercy Corps has been working in Mali since 2012 in response to conflict and food security crises by supporting vulnerable people to meet immediate. While providing needed humanitarian assistance, we strengthen the capacity and resilience of vulnerable and conflict-affected communities to overcome shocks and stresses and strive for long-term development. With funding from USAID, UNHCR, the European Commission, the Global Affairs Canada, and private donors, we work closely with public and private partners to jointly address humanitarian and development needs, with a focus on timely humanitarian response, rebuilding livelihoods, increasing financial inclusion, promoting opportunities for women and girls, promoting employment opportunities for youth, and supporting peace-building and conflict resolution. Through these interventions, we have supported over 500,000 households to recover from conflict and climate shocks and to rebuild more productive, secure and just futures. The Team Leader is expected to hugely contribute to this progress in the sector of governance, rule of law and citizens participation

Programme Summary

Mercy Corps is planning a programme that will facilitate the establishment of a network of civil society organisations in Mali to promote citizens participation in public affairs; will build the financial and organisational capacity of network members; provide grant funding for initiatives that improve community participation in local governance; oversee implementation of funded projects; and share and disseminate learning and best practice.

General Position Summary

The Team Leader is responsible for the implementation of the planned programme and leads the programme secretariat that includes the management staff, government line ministries, key local stakeholders, civil society organizations and donor representatives. The Team Leader will oversee project implementation in the four programme components of civil society network establishment, capacity building, grants programme, and learning dissemination, to achieve the programme's goals within time, scope and budget.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• actively strive for the achievement of the project's strategic objectives and best practices in Mali

Program Management

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations in the country.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to the government, communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps' relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Develop Government and partners' MoUs and contracts.
• Develop programme implementation strategies including network strengthening, implementation framework, capacity building,and knowledge management.
• Oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the project's grants according to the standard guidelines and principles .
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure alignment of project's objectives to the Government strategies for social cohesion, good governance, citizens' inclusion and service delivery,
• 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 donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps' Program Management and Gender Minimum Standards.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps' Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, Gender, diversity & inclusion and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management

• Develop job descriptions, hire appropriate team members for the project, including for partners, oriend and build their capacity for a successful implementation of the project.
• 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, within Mercy Corps and partners.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency development programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.
• Ensure partners are compliant to relevant policies and procedures and efficiently manage allocated resources

Influence & Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Represent Mercy Corps and partners as needed to present the project outcomes to donors, government and other stakeholders

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• 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:

Project team including Projects officers, MEL, field agents with oversight of partners

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Country Director

Works Directly With: The country Senior Management Team (SMT); Operations and Finance departments' team, country MEL team, other programs' team for collaboration, regional technical teams, HQs desks and RFO as necessary.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent sociology, psychology, Governance, International Development, Conflict Management and Mitigation, Economics, Public Administration, or other relevant fields. MA/S preferred
• At least 10 years of overseas experience including at least 5 years in Programs development, Program Management, Business development, Contracts and Grants Management, etc. A previous experience in managing contracts for programs delivery in relation to governance, conflict management and mitigation, policy implementation and public service delivery is preferred
• At least three (3) years of experience in programme management linked to capacity building of civil society organizations, government structures, local and traditional structures in developing countries, will be a great advantage
• Excellent competence in French and knowledge of local languages preferred;

• Excellent computer literacy is required

• Previous experience managing programs of similar complexity and value;

• Monitoring and evaluation of programmes for complex social change with a focus on participatory evaluations in complex contexts

• Monitoring and evaluation and conduct lobbies and campaigns

• Technical support in lobbying and campaigning for social change
• Training and capacity building experience, especially within civil society and government structures.

Success Factors

The successful Team Leader will have track record experience in leading, coordinating and managing multiple and diverse teams from the different backgrounds and organizations, including government. S/he will have proven experience in programs' management, specifically contracts, related to governance, rule of law, efficient services delivery, social cohesion, policy implementation, etc. in a complex and challenging contexts. S/he will have exceptional experience in bringing together multiple actors and stakeholders, including civil society organization, government, donors, etc. to achieve a common goal, with the ability to significantly contribute to the design, implementation and management of innovative programs that respond to citizens' need for efficient and effective services delivery. S/he will have proven work experience with cross-cultural teams, with strong leadership, communication and mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential for this position. 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. Patience, tenacity, diplomacy and a sense of humor will contribute to the success of this position

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Bamako, Mali with travel to project areas in the country. Bamako is served by an international airport with daily flights to European and other African countries destinations. Restaurants and shopping options are available almost everywhere in Bamako. Health care services exist but for more serious conditions, medevac to Dakar, Senegal, the Maghreb or Europe may be required. There are international schools and Bamako is an accompanied family post. While the city has been mostly secure, recent attacks against foreigners underscore the fluidity of the situation and may require expatriate staff to adhere to strict security policies, such as restrictions on movement.

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 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.

PI103527036

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HOW TO APPLY:

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Closing date: 23 Aug 2018