Deputy Team Leader Mercy Corps

Description

This position is contingent on the award and approval of all key personnel

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.

Program / Department Summary 
Mercy Corps plans to engage in a DFID-funded, 3.5-year program, Strengthening Host and Refugee Population Economies (SHARPE), whose main objective is to “increase sustainably the net economic returns to refugees and hosts communities through both increased gains and decreased losses. The program will use an M4P approach, focusing on six market systems in three focal regions (Gambella and Somali Region, Jigjiga and Dollo Ado) to improve the livelihoods of 200,000 beneficiaries. The program begins with a 6-month Inception Phase during which diagnostic reports will be developed, a management results framework developed and interventions piloted. Activities should focus on market systems development and be facilitative, adaptive and innovative to reach the beneficiaries in an equitable manner that promotes cooperation between refugees and host communities. General Position 

Summary

The Deputy Team Leader (DTL) will support the Team Leader in providing overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the SHARPE program, to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The DTL will supervise technical implementation staff and ensure accountability to relevant policies and donor rules and regulations. 

The DTL is the highest technical-level position for the program and is a member of the program’s Senior Leadership Team. Based in Addis Ababa, he/she will provide technical leadership and guidance directly to the focal regions and ensure that the implementation activities carried out in the focal regions adhere to the programs M4P approach and desired outcomes. During the Inception Phase, the DTL will lead in the technical aspects of the diagnostic assessments and development of interventions. During the Implementation Phase, he/she will lead in the technical aspects of implementation of the interventions. This position requires key skills in M4P; program management; consortium management; and relationship management within the team and with partner organizations including private sector, stakeholders, and community members.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

TECHNICAL ADVISORY

• Lead planning, , and delivery of all components of the SHARPE program that focus on Economic and Market Development;
• Work closely with the Team Lead, M4P experts and the M&E leads, private and public sector actors to design and implement innovative, and predominantly syste-ms-level, interventions in these areas;
• Ensure consistent quality and effectiveness of all Economic and Market Development activities
• Lead thinking and practice in innovative approaches to Private sector partnership models, and ensure that experience is well-documented and contributing to thinking of all consortium members.
• Work closely with the Team Lead, M4P experts and the M&E lead to identify, pilot, scale up or shut down M4P interventions

Programme Management

• Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Facilitate the development of program implementation strategies
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• 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.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards
• Proactively identify and monitor any risks to non-delivery and mitigating actions
• Prepare progress and other required reports
• Plan for and ensure successful implementation of a sustainable macro exit from the project;
• Ensure project activities are implemented and outputs achieved as planned and within the agreed budget and time, striving for Value for Money

Team Management

• Develop the capacity of the team, facilitate development of innovative, contextually driven ideas; 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 and alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

Strategy & Vision

• Support the development of a vision and strategy for the program shared with program team and key stakeholders.
• Play an active role in identifying and developing new initiatives that foster and/or improve strategic objectives of the program and the country office.
• Develop a portfolio of M4P activities across hubs that meet program objectives as a whole

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps’ regulations,
• Maintain systems to ensure, within the program, effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with program, donor and Mercy Corps’ needs.

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Country Director.
• Build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Supervisory Responsibility

In Addis: M&E staff and support staff; in field: 3 hub leads (Gambella, Jigjiga and Dollo Ado),

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Country Director at MC; technical reporting to Team Lead 

Works Directly With: MC Heads of Finance, Operations, Human Resources; Program Heads for other programs at MC; MC Area Office Managers

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/Sc or equivalent in finance, development studies, economics or related field;
• Minimum five years’ mid to senior-level field leadership experience;
• Deep understanding and mastery of Markets4Poor approach and Economic & Markets Development facilitation including coaching, relationship building, communicating, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovating.
• Demonstrated success in M4P programs related to market systems strengthening, financial inclusion, private sector development, marketing and value chain programming;
• Familiar with all aspects of the relevant market systems including key actors, micro-financial institutions (MFIs), banks, Insurances, information service providers, inputs suppliers, producers, traders, intermediary and terminal markets governance frameworks (formal and informal); and all support markets and functions
• Proven ability for project and financial management;
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, prioritization skills;
• Experience with DfID protocols preferred
• Demonstrated ability to function as a social entrepreneur and proven success with building, managing and leading a team of professionals and the ability to function as a team player among peers;
• History of working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO and NGO partners in complex environments;
• A dynamic, “outside-the-box” attitude, with proven ability to think and act creatively in challenging environments;
• Prior experience working with pastoralist communities, in the Horn of Africa or elsewhere, required;

Success Factors 

The successful DTL will be a self-starter able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant, flexible and able to work in difficult and stressful environments while following procedures. S/he will be highly effective at building teams, problem solving, and capacity building of national staff. S/he will also have the skill to engage, motivate and encourage staff to bring creative solutions to development issues, identify opportunities for increased impact, and pursue project objectives. S/he will be business minded, entrepreneurial, adaptive, curious, with great problem solving skills, unafraid to ask questions, and results motivated. 

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The Deputy Team Leader position is based in Addis Ababa. This location is accompanied. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house and office. There are International schools in Ethiopia. Staff will have regular access to medical services, electricity, water and other utilities. This position requires 

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.

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