Senior Program Manager, Mercy Corps Zimbabwe (216832-927)
30 Oct 2009 13:24:00 GMT
Deadline date: 08 Dec 2009 |
| Organisation: | Mercy Corps |
| Location: | 221882 |
| Type: | permanent |
| Salary: | TBA (000's USD) |
| Description: | This is a temporary position funded for three months (exactly 90 days)
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
In Zimbabwe, Mercy Corps has been working hand-in-hand with local communities and partners in Manicaland Province (Eastern Zimbabwe) since 2002 to implement US, UN, Canadian and European funded food security and livelihoods programs. Mercy Corps has, and continues to successfully mobilize hundreds of communities in the Chipinge and Buhera Districts of Manicaland to establish productive small scale agriculture and improve access to water and sanitation. In addition, Mercy Corps is also rehabilitating three community managed irrigation schemes  each supporting up to 100 plot holders. Mercy Corps has just won a $1.8M USAID funded food security grant for Murewa, Mashonaland East. Mercy Corps/ZimbabweÂs water and sanitation programming (WASH) continues to grow in both size and complexity. The country program now manages several WASH grants focusing on both rural and urban water supply and expects to submit two additional WASH proposals to UNICEF before the end of 2009. Program activities range from repairing of boreholes and construction of latrines to rehabilitation of the water treatment facility in Mutare town. Last year Zimbabwe experienced a major cholera outbreak, which may occur again this year once the rainy season starts (November) and may require a Mercy Corps response. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Dep. Country Director, who has responsibility for all MC/Zimbabwe programs, the Senior Program Manager will manage day-to-day oversight of current MC/Zimbabwe food security and WASH programs and ensure the technical soundness of Mercy Corps work. The Senior Program Manager ensures staff and funds are coordinated effectively and efficiently in the delivery of MC/Zimbabwe program strategies towards planned results and targets. The Senior Program Manager will also lead any program development in food security or WASH opportunities, working closely with the Country Director and senior management by developing proposals and budgets for donors. The Senior Program Manager collaborates closely with senior program and administration staff, as well as HQ staff to ensure adherence to organizational program standards and procedures. This requires line managing individual program managers/officers and coordinating and ensuring proper implementation of the program in accordance with MC and donor policies. The Senior Program Manager will be highly sensitive to the political and conflict dynamics of the country, ensuring that programs do not exacerbate these issues. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Do This Maintain a central role in managing MCÂs program strategy for WASH and food security programming in coordination with the Dep. Director, Country Director and program staff, including ensuring that existing programs meet MCÂs strategic goals, objectives and targets, as well as identifying and developing new initiatives that strengthen and deepen (not just broaden) the program. Provide day-to-day direction to/supervision of the program managers/officers; provide mentoring, coaching and capacity-building/training to staff, as needed. Ensure all staff develop and implement work plans in line with the strategic program plan/log frame. In particular, ensure that the food security programs are implemented with a market driven approach and the WASH programs are implemented with sustainability at the core. Manage the close out of any grants ending during the period of assignment. Design and participate in the technical assessments and manage the start up of any new grants that become active during the period of assignment. Ensure that the approach promoted is sustainable and is the most cost effective given the timeframe and resources available. Ensure that the relationships developed between Mercy Corps and local government remain and are strong, based on clear roles and responsibilities and devoid of politicization. Liaise with the Operations Manager and Finance Officer for payments, financial monitoring/compliance and closeout procedures. Along with Country Director and Dep. Country Director, recruit and manage an innovative, informed, motivated and efficient national team with a particular focus on individual and team capacity development. Lead the preparation of proposals and review/edit donor reports prepared by program staff. Oversees WASH and Food Security program grant management and donor reporting requirements to ensure program implementation meets donor expectations and regulations. Support the M&E officers to maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use. Lead monthly food security and WASH management meetings with individual program managers to ensure pro-active project management Provide timely and accurate program information to the Dep. Director and Country Director on a regular basis. In the absence of the Dep. Director, act on behalf of Mercy Corps as the senior program representative for Mercy Corps Zimbabwe. Other duties as requested or assigned by the Dep. Director and Country Director. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: The Senior Program Manager is responsible for all MC/Zimbabwe food security and WASH program team members. Food security and WASH program managers will report directly to this position. ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports to: Zimbabwe Deputy Country Director KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: This position requires a degree in Engineering or Agriculture, experience in International Development preferred particularly within Africa. Priority would be Agriculture with a strong background in production and marketing of horticultural commodities. At least 6 years management experience with specific experience and skills in program development including community-based project design, assessment and evaluation and grants management. Five years overseas experience including listening to, learning from, training, and mentoring key staff regarding development and other relevant issues. Proven success managing the administration and compliance of donor funding and the ability to develop proposals for new projects and programs from conception to submission is required. Solid analysis and strategic planning skills as well as a proven practical and theoretical understanding of the project cycle, issues of community development and relief are necessary. Proven ability to develop a program and to conceptualize and successfully lead and manage a team throughout the entire program cycle is vital. Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Mercy Corps interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups. Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required. Experience with emergency response and development programs and staff training and mentoring is also required. SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Senior Program Manager will be technically strong and apply a strong combination of team leadership, program development and relationship building abilities. The Senior Program Manager will have an strong ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future structure of Mercy Corps Zimbabwe operations and have excellent writing skills. Excellent negotiation and communications will provide for continued development of donor and partner relationships. Other factors include: Versatile multi-tasker with the proven ability to organize and prioritize many urgent tasks Demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles, follow procedures, and meet deadlines Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details Even temperament and a good sense of humor appreciated Awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: This is an unaccompanied position (3 month assignment) in a relatively safe and comfortable environment. Candidates must be able to live and work in an ever changing political and operational environment. Access to education facilities is excellent, while health care is adequate. Harare and Mutare are mid-sized cities with a range of restaurants and shops and good access to nature and wildlife. Johannesburg, SA is the nearest destination for serious medical care and there are one or more flights per day from Harare to South Africa or Europe. 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. |
