Project Manager

Position title: PROJECT MANAGER (contingent to donor funding approval)

Employment Type: Full-time
Salary Grade: M2
Job Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Valid through: April 17, 2022

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
Due to geographic and other vulnerabilities, each year Nepal faces substantial disturbance and damage in the education sector due to diverse kinds of hazards impacting children’s rights to access to education and continuation of quality learning achievements. Nepal continues to face frequent disasters such as floods, landslides, fires, earthquakes, and disease outbreaks like cholera, dengue, and now, the COVID-19. The education sector is vulnerable to natural disasters, as they can result in damage or destruction of learning facilities and materials, closures and the prolonged disruption of education, increased barriers to education, limited access to schooling, and impact on the quality of education. The COVID-19 pandemic-led school closures have posed challenges in children’s learning continuity. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of all about 35,000 schools in Nepal, for 8 months which impacted the learning loss of 8.3 million children in the first wave.

In aligning with the federal structure, the Constitution of Nepal (2015) has devolved the local government’s power and authority related to basic and secondary school education. The overall management of basic and secondary education is with the local governments, including emergency preparedness and response. In this light, European Union and UNICEF have collaborated to support the government for COVID19 education response initiatives, focusing on cluster capacity strengthening to equip education stakeholders responsible for preparedness and response to combat all kinds of emergencies to enhance the resilience of school education.

Implementation of Minimum Package of the Comprehensive School Safety (CSS) is the priority agenda of government and development partners in Nepal. EU and UNICEF have collaborated to support the government for Education cluster strengthening initiatives that also address the education covid responses. This support will be extended through TA support. To support these initiatives UNICEF has established partnerships with the Mercy Corps and NSET to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science (MoEST) and Centre for Education Human Resource Development (CEHRD) at federal, provincial, and local levels. These partnerships envision the capacity to strengthen federal and cluster partners of all seven provinces, update and develop the Cluster corresponding guidance, tools, and training packages and disseminate it to all three tiers of the governments and clusters partners. The developed guidance, tools, and techniques will be initially disseminated to 80 LGs in Madesh, Karnali, and Sudur Pashchim provinces and eventually disseminate to all the local governments. Mercy Corps will be overseeing the development of the guidance, tools and techniques in 30LGs in Karnali and Sudurpaschim province. Strong and robust cluster mechanism aligning with the national disaster laws and guidelines contribute to reducing further learning loss due to any disturbance, natural hazard, and pandemics

General Position Summary
The Project Manager will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation of Mercy Corps’ components of the ‘Supporting the response to COVID-19 crisis in the Education Sector’, ensuring that Mercy Corps meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget. The Project Manager will supervise project staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. They are responsible for managing relationships with local partners, stakeholders from the GoN, project participants, and donor representatives, contributing to the achievement of country goals through project development, displaying expertise in education system, cluster coordination. As gender and social inclusion (GESI), governance and M&E are cross-cutting components of all Mercy Corps programs and projects, the Project Manager is required to own these components and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration, governance practices and M&E systems are integrated into their work area.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategic Vision

• Provide overall strategic direction, leadership, technical and operational management of the project team to ensure the timely and qualitative delivery of project objectives.
• Support development of cross-team coordination mechanisms to ensure effective collaboration and integration across key project areas and functions.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Contribute to and oversee learnings of the project and share them with stakeholders
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to country-wide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to leverage existing and secure new resources and support for programs.

Project Implementation

• Lead the development of detailed implementation plans, flowing from annual
• strategic work- plans and ensure the delivery of the same.
• Serve as the primary role responsible for not only an integrated programming design, but most specifically, ensuring that resilience is closely integrated into all sector areas with an overarching resilience approach, in line with Mercy Corps’ global model.
• Lead the socialization of the project with Government of Nepal stakeholders at the Region and District level, ensuring necessary approvals and collaboration as required.
• Lead technical input, guidance and communication for the project’s governance strategies, providing technical direction, developing work plans in collaboration with consortium lead, and project staff, monitoring implementation and impact, training staff in all relevant technical areas as required.
• Oversee all capacity building initiatives for federal, provincial and local government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen engagement of federal and cluster partners of all seven provinces, update and develop the Cluster corresponding guidance, tools, and training packages and disseminate it to all three tiers of the governments and clusters’ partners
• Work closely with lead agency and other consortium partners on coordinating and mainstreaming governance and capacity building activities throughout all aspects of the project
• Take part and contribute on local, regional and national networks/forums for knowledge sharing.
• Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to vulnerability criteria.
• With the rest of the project team, drive the development and roll out of systems that support project quality and integrated implementation approaches across sectors, partners, and project geographies.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate.
• Provide managerial and programmatic oversight to partners and subgrantee(s).
• Produce written reports on project activities, capturing the impacts of activities.
• Oversee efforts to design effective M&E systems for the project, and linkages with internal M&E systems
• Create and follow effective stakeholder management plans, ensuring sound and proactive communications with Mercy Corps Nepal, partner organizations, Mercy Corps headquarters, UNICEF, government of Nepal authorities, and colleague agencies.
• Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites – spend up to 50% of time away from home base.
• Fulfil Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.

Project Management

• In close collaboration with the project team, finance, operations, and administrative staff ensure that all components of the project are implemented in alignment with donor and Mercy Corps policy guidelines.
• Ensure project implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• 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.
• Hold responsibility for detailed, annual budget development, regular budget management, relevant budget approvals with the prime, budget-related compliance, and regular budget vs, actual analysis and subsequent budget forecasting.
• In coordination with the Sr. MEL officer, ensure that robust MEL knowledge management and quality assurance systems are in place, adhered to and used as decision making tools to inform adaptive management, while also capturing best practices and lessons learned across programs.
• Use findings from the project to Influence government stakeholders (in collaboration with UNICEF) about strong safeguarding measures
• Ensure the timely preparation of high-quality progress, project, and donor reports in both content and form from the project implementation team
• Implement and model Mercy Corps’ philosophy of social entrepreneurship and leverage Mercy Corps’ best practices.
• Ensure strong CARM system is in place monitor the register so that issues are analyzed for patterns and resolved
• Cultivate a deep understanding of safeguarding issues in the project context and provide input into best practices
• Contribute to the dialogue on safeguarding in the region and within Mercy Corps more broadly
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the Program Management at Mercy Corps guidelines.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

Team Management

• Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels, proactively seeking out capacity building opportunities and engaging in the career development of project staff.
• Identify technical skills gaps of project staff to provide necessary support through training, workshops, and materials as per need.
• Contribute to team-building efforts and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Conduct capacity building of field and implementing partner staff as required
• Provide technical support to the project and partner staff in reviewing project learning and understanding best practices, producing notes for a file on the same.
• Assist the project team to organize project related events and event reports, in coordination with field staff.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to local partner staff, MC staff and community stakeholders on the implementation of the activities
• Implement and ensure all team members, including partners, are effectively using the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations, and regularly providing constructive feedback.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Monitor adherence to the grant agreement, Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.

Influence & Representation

• Liaise with local, provincial and federal level government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local leaders and other stakeholders to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.
• Coordinate with Mercy Corps Technical Support Unit (TSU) teams to leverage supports and acquire technical guidance in a regular basis. Learn and share project progresses and lessons in the TSU led regular Governance forums.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with partners, grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
• Exhibit an awareness of their strengths and development needs

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members and community operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Accountability to Program Participants

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.

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.

Others

• Ensure proper integration of child safeguarding and GESI aspects into sector specific project planning and implementation.
• Mercy Corps as a humanitarian agency is expected to respond as and when crisis and humanitarian situation engulfs. As an MC employee all staff are expected to be part of humanitarian and emergency response in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Conduct themselves both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by their supervisor and or Country Director.

Supervisory Responsibility
Supervisory Responsibility: Sr. MEL Officer (Kathmandu), Provincial Cluster Coordinator (Lumbini), Information Management Officer (Lumbini)

Reports Directly to: Program Manager, Integrated Agriculture, Market System and Education

Works Directly with: Director of Programs, Program Manager, Sr. MEL Officer, Provincial Cluster Coordinator, Information Management Officer

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Development Studies, Economics, or any other relevant fields. Master’s Degree preferred
• Minimum 5-7 years’ relevant professional experience implementing education system humanitarian response, disaster risk reduction, comprehensive school Safety, climate change adaptation/mitigation, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery with at least 3 years’ of managerial experience
• Familiar with the cluster mechanism and humanitarian architectures in Nepal’s context.
• Excellent communication, rapport building skills including the ability to facilitate diverse groups (Government, CSOs, Technical Expert)
• Experience in the capacity building of partners at the national, regional, and district levels on School Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Response.
• Good understanding of Comprehensive School Safety Framework and emergency preparedness and response.
• Aware of National/ Global policy and strategy on Disaster Risk Management and Comprehensive School Safety and its linkages with education interventions.
• Strategic thinking, analytical skill, high level coordination, networking, and facilitation skills is a must
• Prior experience in budget management and reporting required
• Experience in designing or managing projects with multiple stakeholders (including related government line agencies) involved in the implementation
• Excellent spoken and written English and Nepali language skills and ability to interact effectively with international and national staff.
• Previous experience with EU, UNICEF projects, rules, regulations, and requirements is preferred.
• Awareness of the needs and related program considerations for children, vulnerable and marginalized communities.
• Established the ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles.
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem-solving.
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a project to achieve stated results and objectives.
• Experience working with governments, civil society, national and international organizations.
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Success Factors
The successful Project Manager will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships. They will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage education system strengthening project within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the country. They will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff 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.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

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

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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