Deputy Country Director - Yemen

Job Description

General Position SummaryThe Deputy Country Director (DCD) is directly responsible for all the programs in Yemen. The DCD supervises the program team providing leadership to the design and quality implementation of relevant, innovative and impactful programs; ensuring a fully-functioning and adaptive feedback and accountability framework; providing real-time qualitative and quantitative measurements of Mercy Corps programs; and maintaining or growing the scale of portfolio through a forward-looking business development strategy informed by regular engagements with donors, partners, peer organizations, and coordination bodies. The DCD works closely with senior members of the country team to dynamically engage relevant technical and analytical resources internally and externally. The DCD represents Mercy Corps at the highest level and is able to develop, articulate and deliver a strategic vision in line with the rapid evolution of the context and the strategic decisions made by the organization s executive leadership.Essential Job Responsibilities Strategic Vision & Leadership? Take go/no-go decisions regarding the pursuit of funding opportunities and, in coordination with CD and other senior leadership, engage in strong regional-level representation with donors, international and local NGOs and networks;? Maintain oversight of access provisions to ensure Mercy Corps continued ability to access our most vulnerable and hard-to-reach participants;? Coordinate with the CD on crucial events, high-risk periods, incident reporting and any security policy changes;? Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies;? 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 Participants? Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.Supervisory Responsibility: Program Directors, MEL Manager, Grants & Reporting SpecialistAccountabilityReports Directly To : Yemen Country DirectorWorks Directly With : Senior Leadership Team, Regional Program and Technical Team, Headquarters Technical Support Unit, additional headquarters-based teams as needed.Knowledge and Experience? BA/S or equivalent in relevant field required, MA/S preferred;? 7 to 9 years of senior-level leadership and management experience in large and complex programs including humanitarian operations, previous work experience in the Middle East and insecure environments preferred;? Substantial knowledge of the international humanitarian system, institutions and donors, and of compliance requirements, accountability frameworks and best practices; prior experience with funding from USG, DFID, ECHO and other leading donors;? Robust experience in developing, operationalizing, and implementing program strategies;? Demonstrated expertise in representation and negotiation resulting in securing significant new opportunities for the organization;? Demonstrated success working effectively and respectfully with host country government, private sector, INGO, NGO partners and other stakeholders in complex environments;? Experience leveraging data systems within humanitarian programs to evaluate program outcomes;? Experience in managing strategic transitions from humanitarian to early recovery, social cohesion programs in a post- conflict transition phase;? Proven record in guiding the formulation of sectoral strategies in a rapidly evolving humanitarian context;? Highly-developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching;? Solid project management skills related to international, cross-functional teams;? Experience of solving complex issues collegially, defining a clear way forward, and utilizing best practices in management to ensure shared success;? Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking skills, with a focus on results and impact;? Excellent oral and written English skills required, proficiency in Arabic preferred.Success FactorsThe successful candidate is a fast thinking, experienced leader. S/he has a thorough understanding of what it takes to deliver impactful programs in challenging environments. S/he is an excellent communicator who can inspire broad and diverse teams towards a shared goal and drive a fast-paced and adaptive program. S/he is able to create a stimulating working environment encouraging innovation and accountability. S/he is a confident representative in public settings, able to speak up when needed to influence key stakeholders internally and externally to further and expand MC Yemen s goals in the response. S/he is able to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment and prioritize team-building and capacity-building of national staff. S/he has excellent information management skills and is a strategic thinker. S/he has an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in Yemen.Living Conditions / Environmental ConditionsThe Deputy Country Director position is an unaccompanied position based in Sana a, Yemen, with travel to other offices, as security allows. When traveling within Yemen, strict adherence to Mercy Corps security policies and procedures will be required as will respect for local cultural norms and traditions. The position will require travel to the field sites in Mercy Corps Yemen s operational areas up to 50% time including travel to some locations that may be insecure or austere. Frequent travel to project sites in Sana a, Taiz, and Aden or other areas will be required if security allows. Security conditions in the country are variable, with a range of violence and insecurity, requiring close monitoring and vigilance. Conflict and corruption have also badly damaged the country s infrastructure. Candidates must be able to work in an environment with energy, transportation and communication challenges.

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Deputy Country Director -