Program Manager

Program Manager (M-RED)

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal – with field visits as require
Position Status: Full-time, Regular

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. Mercy Corps has been operating in Nepal since 2005, implementing programs in food security, agriculture, market development, financial services, girl’s education, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. We take a systems-based approach in our programming, with the aim of improving the lives and potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across Nepal.

Program / Department Summary

The Managing Risks through Economic Development (M-RED) project spans four years (2022-2025) and aims to create and execute a model integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and economic development. It focuses on establishing enduring, market-driven DRR approaches to enhance resilience against various disasters. This multi-country initiative is dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in Nepal, Timor Leste, and Indonesia. It has received support from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation since 2013 and is currently in its fourth phase.

MRED promotes the system approach encompassing preparedness, response, and recovery by collaborating at community, sub-national to the national levels. At the community and household levels, interventions aim to reduce disaster risks while enhancing income generation. Communities will enhance their understanding and capabilities in disaster risk reduction while concurrently pursuing economic opportunities through cultivating, processing, and selling crops utilized for disaster mitigation, thereby boosting household incomes. The program will fortify emerging or enhanced economic prospects by facilitating communities’ access to markets for sales and inputs related to high-demand and high-value commodities. Through market assessments and facilitating connections between household producers and local markets, the program endeavors to surmount these challenges. Additionally, the project focuses on creating high-quality documentation and advocating for the replication of the MRED model.

General Position Summary

The Program Manager will assume overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the M-RED Nepal program, coordinating with other Disaster Risk Reduction and Management programs in Nepal. The position will take leadership on program strategies, approaches and methods closely coordinating with the regional M-RED program being implemented in Indonesia and Timor Leste. The incumbent must have a combination of technical and management capacity showcasing the track record of dynamic and effective manager. They should demonstrate a sound understanding of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and market-driven programming (at a senior level). The position will be responsible for generating high quality outputs and results; with strong team management, stakeholder management, communication, including high level representation skills.

As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and environmental compliance are cross-cutting and core components of the all MC programs, the Program Manager is required to own these components to ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and environmental compliance are integrated into the MRED program.

Essential Job Responsibility

Strategy and Project Management

• Lead design and implementation of assessments to inform program strategies including support on development of business opportunities.
• Ensure integration of program components such as; DRR, market system development, financial services, livelihood and CCA to increase the resilience of the vulnerable communities and systems.
• Provide technical support in implementation and advocate for contemporary and proactive approaches to disaster risk reduction and management, such as Anticipatory Action and Shock-Responsive Social Protection.
• Ensure program interventions are informed by a comprehensive and participatory community vulnerability and capacity assessments.
• Lead developing strategies such as on DRR with market assessment at different levels and opportunities so as to mitigate risk and build resilience that are durable and sustainable.
• Engage proactively in disaster response within the country program, including the management of project emergency funds for necessary support when required.
• Additionally, contribute as an active member of the Nepal Emergency Response team (NERT).
• Work closely with the Program Director, Regional Program Manager, and MERL advisor to ensure synergy of strategies between MRED countries, and with ZFRA activities to capture learning and sharing
• Ensure monitoring s is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts to assess effectiveness and impact and propose recommendations for improvements.
• Establish a conducive environment for fostering innovation by also supporting the team in exploring and implementing innovative ideas aimed at enhancing impact on a larger scale.

Compliance and Coordination

• Develop program documents to meet the SWC compliance and maintain good relationship with national level government and private stakeholders.
• Identify, build, and manage collaborative partnerships with implementing partners, private sector partners, donors, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• Develop good collaboration with the other Program Manager and team and develop synergistic effect on the implementation of both the program and develop harmony among field team members.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met, including among stakeholders in Nepal but also across the regional program in Timor-Leste.
• Work closely with the Finance & Compliance lead to 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.
• Share learning and practice with other programs among others BHAKARI, ZFRA, contribute to the overall organization learning process on Resilience.
• Participate in country level coordination, Senior Management/Manager’s meeting as needed.

Monitoring, Evaluations and Learning

• Ensure the development and maintain all project planning documents and processes complying with Mercy Corps Program Management minimum standard.
• Ensure the program strategies and research activities are aligned with the program objectives and lessons are shared with MRED program countries including in different national and international platforms. s
• Lead research contract management and provide technical support including external research partner during Nepal site visits.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to capture regular program data and impact including quarterly data review process and analysis.
• Ensure project outcomes, outputs are clearly documented and high-quality reports are produced timely and submitted to the donor.

Team Management

• Foster and maintain a work atmosphere centered on mutual respect, encouraging team members to aspire for excellence in their endeavors.
• Provide regular performance and programmatic feedback as an ongoing effort, ensure regular communication, and maintain team accountability.
• Coordinate and where appropriate facilitate regular team review and reflection meetings, team- building to support team capacity-building and adaptive management towards achieving program deliverables.
• Oversee team recruitments, develop job description, conduct inductions and provide guidance in establishing tasks, benchmarks and setting priorities.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.

Representation and Advocacy

• Lead the formulation of an advocacy strategy directed at diverse audiences and stakeholders in line with the Program vision.
• Oversee and guide the creation of materials showcasing lessons learned and success stories, highlighting the program’s activities, approaches, and impacts for internal dissemination and external communication in relevant forums.
• Engage and represent Mercy Corps in various forums related to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change, and other pertinent platforms, whether virtual or in-person, seizing available opportunities.
• Act as Mercy Corps’ representative across multiple platforms, including high-level engagements, effectively conveying the project outcomes and strategies aimed at positively impacting the lives of vulnerable households.
• Contribute and, if needed, take the lead in proposal writing, particularly focusing on areas related to climate change and economic opportunities.
• Develop Influence strategies for national level private and government stakeholders and engage them to expand the nexus interventions beyond the program area.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards 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.

Others

• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director- M-RED for MRED and Director of Programs (DoPs) for Mercy Corps Nepal.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when a crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As MC employees all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned by the direct Supervisor and or Country Director

Supervisory Responsibility: Advocacy and Influencing Coordinator, DRR Advisor, Economic Resilience Advisor

Supervisory Responsibility

Accountability: Country Director; Position Description; MACF grant agreement and policies; National staff policy handbook; Code of conduct and Mercy Corps policy and procedures.

Reports directly to: Director of Programs (DoPs) for all; specifically, MRED Regional Program Director for MRED.

Works directly with: Local implementing partner(s); private sector partner(s); and Mercy Corps DM&E, Finance/Compliance, and Operations team members

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelors or Masters degree equivalent in disaster risk management/Climate change, social sciences, international development or other relevant fields.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience or Master’s degree with 6 years of relevant experience.
• At least 3 years in a senior leadership role in the sector Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Climate Change and Adaptation, Market System Development in Nepal is required.
• Experience on strategy development and leading the implementation of DRR work with a vision of longer-term, multi-sector integrated projects, with a strong understanding of resilience approaches as well.
• Strong management skills including people management, supervising technical and field teams and the implementing partners including training and workshop facilitation skills
  Experience managing large scale community based DRR and DRR systems strengthening including institutional capacity building for government and civic society actors.
• Outstanding skills and demonstrated expertise in crafting proposals, specifically leading initiatives in climate change adaptation and economic empowerment.
• Familiarity with National DRM/CCA policies, strategies and working with Provincial and municipal government structures for DRR, EWS and climate and weather information and integration of DRR into formal planning processes and budgeting procedures.
• Flexible, demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with culturally diverse staff under tight deadlines and often stressful situations.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local stakeholders, private sector actors, Government and partners.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop good relationships with a wide range of actors required.
• Effective writing and organizational skills for report development, complete analyses and making presentations.
• Proficiency in computer skills.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. They will have a proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, with an ability and willingness to remain mobile for short-term and/or long-term as necessary within the region, based on programmatic needs. An ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

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. Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/short-term assignment 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.

Signatures
Ongoing 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.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding, Ethics & Integrity

All Mercy Corps staff members are expected to behave ethically and demonstrate the highest integrity in their professional and personal life. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance to any form of fraud, corruption, abuse, harassment or exploitation. Any breach of our policies or misconduct will lead to disciplinary action or may lead to termination. Mercy Corps has zero tolerance for abuse, sexual misconduct and sexual exploitation (PSEA) of the people we work with and our own staff members. All staff must commit to internal policies

Organizational Learning

As a 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.

Employment Type: Full-time
Job Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Valid through: December 10, 2023