Mercy Corps Deputy Regional Director Jobs in Uganda

Mercy Corps Deputy Regional Director Jobs in Uganda

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.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

Assist in articulating a regional strategy for Mercy Corps in Africa;

Contribute to the development of compelling country level strategies that integrate with a coherent regional strategy, and are aligned with Mercy Corps' global Strategic Compass.

Act as key partner for the RD to achieve an effective regional management team that delivers programmatic excellence and significant impact and influence in the region.

Supervising Operational Management

Provide support to RD and country teams on matters pertaining to strategy, planning, budgeting, programming and management.

Assist in the administration of country strategies work plans and budgets throughout the fiscal year.

Ensure effective human, material, financial and operational field support for all country programs, in cooperation with senior staff, prioritizing resource allocation as necessary.

Engage in regular and timely communication with finance directors/managers and operations directors/managers, including travel to country offices as needed.

Support country leadership in adhering to Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures, including rollout of new initiatives and standards.

Assist with the identification, location, set up and transition of Mercy Corps offices as necessary.

Team Management

Develop the capacity of the team, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development, and empower team towards excellence.

Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.

Create a work environment of respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and team culture is positive, transparent and focused on staff well being.

Participate in the recruitment, selection, orientation and training of key Mercy Corps team members.

Assist with the on-boarding of senior team members, ensuring they are set up for success and familiar with agency systems, procedures, and protocols.

Ensure sound performance management and staff access to high quality learning opportunities, with a special emphasis on national team member development.

Fill in as needed for Regional Director and for field leadership during transition.

Ensuring Quality and Integrity

Ensure all programs in the region are achieving the highest possible impact and are in line with overall regional and global strategies.

Ensure the integrity of Mercy Corps' operations and program implementation through adherence to Mercy Corps and global best practices, policies and procedures.

Encourage a culture of learning and innovation among all Mercy Corps staff in the region.

Work closely with headquarters support units to ensure continuous quality improvement of field programs, and that teams are working towards achieving excellence, especially during rapid growth.

Developing Program and Portfolio Growth

Provide direct support to new programming initiatives that build on country/regional strategies, and position Mercy Corps for complex programs and/or multi-country funding opportunities.

Coordinate and prioritize the development of concept notes, proposals and other funding requests ensuring quality submissions that maximize chances for success.

In the event of a major disaster or emergency in the region, work directly with Mercy Corps global team to coordinate an appropriate and timely response.

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 Country Directors,

Regional management team members
Accountability

Reports Directly To:

Regional Director, Africa

Works Directly With:

Country Directors, Operations Managers/ Directors, Finance Managers/ Directors, Senior Management Teams as required inclusive of program teams. and supplemental support teams based at HQ in locations such as Portland, OR and/or Edinburgh, Scotland

Knowledge and Experience

BA or equivalent in international development, political or social science, public administration, business management, required and MA preferred;

At least 8-10 years field experience in senior management related to support functions and/or, direct program development and implementation;

Demonstrated ability to think strategically, and to solve complex problems at an organizational level;

Detailed understanding of the finance, operations and administration mechanisms that support a grant/project implementation life cycle;

Direct experience managing and supervising large teams, as well as mentoring and development;

Confident communication skills applicable to donor relations, media outreach, and inter-agency coordination;

Ability to handle multiple issues at one time, especially in emergency situations, and to organize and prioritize accordingly;

Demonstrated proficiency and experience with US, UK, EU, UN and other public and private donors, government grant and financial management requirements;

Demonstrated understanding of the critical humanitarian and development issues in the Africa, and significant experience with the challenges of operating in the region;

Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.

Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Fluent in English and French

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kampala, Uganda or Niamey, Niger or another accompanied Mercy Corps location in Africa. Housing is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard. Water and electricity are present with occasional cuts.

Up to 40% travel to the field to support Mercy Corps programs as requested.

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.