Deputy Chief of Party, Sahel Collaboration and Communication Activity - burkina faso

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 present in the Sahel since 2005, with current programming in Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali. In these countries, we focus on a host of sectors depending on local priorities and needs: food security, livelihoods, governance, conflict mitigation and humanitarian response. We aim to boost economic opportunities, catalyze inclusive and accountable governance systems, break the cycle of food and water insecurity and respond to immediate needs, while unleashing the potential to build for the future. Our work contributes to resilience to shocks and stresses and enables individuals, households and communities to achieve long-term, inclusive and equitable development. Mercy Corps’ vision for change encourages the private sector, government and civil society to work together to create meaningful and sustainable change.

Mercy Corps is seeking a Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) for the Sahel Collaboration and Communication (SCC) Activity, a five-year, $16 million USAID opportunity. This proposed program will promote collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA) for collective impact among USAID, implementing partners, government institutions and research institutions. This Activity will also build local capacity for learning and adaptation. SCC will improve CLA among all stakeholders in order to enhance development results and help USAID better communicate those results.

General Position Summary

Coordinating closely with the COP who will be based in Niamey, Niger, the DCOP will be responsible for leading and managing the activity and staff in Burkina Faso, with significant implementation and decision-making authority. S/he will manage staff, resources and partnerships in country to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The DCOP will supervise program staff in Burkina Faso and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations. With the COP, s/he will represent the program to donors, relevant government entities, partners, other implementers and external stakeholders.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management and Implementation

• Working closely with the COP, oversee program start-up, management and administration in Burkina Faso. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Monitor work plans and ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems and adaptive management principles to reach desired impacts.
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and sub-grantee(s).
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team in Burkina Faso, 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.

Finance and Compliance Management

• 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.

Influence & Representation

• In collaboration with the COP, represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, subgrantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility: National and international team members working on the program, as well as partnerships with international and national program partners. The number of direct and indirect reports is to be determined.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Program team, finance and operations teams, HQ Regional Program Team, HQ Technical Support Unit and partner organizations

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/S degree in management, international development or other relevant field required.
• At least 6 years of experience in senior management of development programs of similar or greater scope and complexity.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic thinking/planning, management and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to establish close, trusting relationships with implementing partners, host government officials and other donors.
• Considerable experience in organizational capacity development, holistic organizational learning and/or organizational development approaches such as CLA.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation.
• Significant relevant experience, preferably in comparable settings.
• Required to have oral and written communication and presentations skills equivalent in both French and English.

Success Factors:

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures, and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. The most successful Mercy Corps team 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 /Environmental Conditions:

The position will be based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with regular travel to Niamey. The location is accompanied and secure. Individual housing is available with freedom of movement beyond the house and office. There are international schools in Burkina Faso. Staff have good access to essential services, such as medical care, electricity, water, etc. This position requires up to 50% of travel by air and road to field offices in relatively secure environments but climatically harsh conditions. This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.

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.

Apply Here

PI108649181

Apply Online