Senior Program Manager at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary

The RANGE Senior Program Manager is responsible for overall implementation of the RANGE program, including ensuring quality and impact of the interventions. S/he will ensure that the program is implemented on scope, time and budget. The Senior Program Manager will liaise with a diversity of internal and external stakeholders throughout program implementation in order to ensure that the team is driving transformational change in the target counties. In addition to a strong technical understanding of resilience-building, natural resource management and livestock, the Program Manager will bring an in-depth understanding of market system development (MSD) approaches.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY AND VISION

• Play a key role in developing the program strategy and direction for Kenya by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives.
• Contribute to the program’s learning and influencing agenda, working with relevant team members to integrate and advance learning, adaptation and advocacy within both the program and Mercy Corps more broadly.
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• In collaboration with relevant Mercy Corps team members, represent the program in key forums and donor meetings.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with relevant international and local agencies active in relevant technical fields, including donors, other organizations, local authorities and local partners. Attend relevant coordination forums to identify synergies.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for RANGE program activities, in partnership with key program stakeholders, including local and international partner organizations, local civil society organizations, local and national government officials, research institutions and universities, other international agencies on the ground, and key donors.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts, and develop mechanisms for targeted research to inform program design and implementation.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Lead in the structuring of team roles and responsibilities for the delivery of cohesive program interventions, oversee their activities and provide continuous technical support, capacity building, and quality assurance.
• Oversee performance of consortium partners and sub-grantees, and provide team members and implementing partners with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Regularly coordinate with program staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• 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.
• Hire, orient and lead team members as necessary.

OPERATIONS MANGAGEMENT

• Oversee the smooth flow of routine program support functions (e.g., finance, administration, logistics) in relation to RANGE and ensure compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.
• Ensure that any procurement is completed, documented, and delivered to end-user in a timely manner, ensuring that items procured meet the specifications of the end-user while adhering to donor and Mercy Corps procurement guidelines.
• Oversee database and paper file management for program files in compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures.

SECURITY MANAGEMENT

• 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 that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

 MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E) AND REPORTING

• Work closely with the program MEL team members to ensure that effective M&E systems and processes are embedded within the program implementation unit and that data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform ongoing adaptation of program strategies and delivery approaches.
• Assess and analyze impact and adaptively manage the program to meet results.
• Oversee the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports and work plans on all aspects of programme delivery in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ensure learning is blended back into program implementation, creating a cycle of adaptation and program improvement.

 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 BENEFICIARIES AND PARTNERS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and partners 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Direct supervision of all team members and consultants within the RANGE program.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly with: Country Director, Operations Director, Finance Director, Program Managers, PAQ team, consortium partners, local implementing partners.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, such as natural resources/rangelands management, livestock production, agricultural economics, veterinary medicine, etc. Master’s degree qualification is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading interventions in these fields above, including utilzing market system development approaches.
• Experience leading large, complex programs required.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience required, including 5 years in a senior management position.
• Sound understanding of financial, procurement, administration, and logistics management systems, including remote management.
• Experience coordinating multiple activities, developing synergies and creating opportunities for collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience in team building and team coordination for achieving program goals.
• Strong commitment to local capacity building and the ability to engage local stakeholders in project design and implementation.
• Experience working with host governments at the national and sub-national level, INGOs and national NGOs and familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of UN agencies, and other NGOs.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented; and possessing an ability to anticipate program and operational needs.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment and to a diverse group of national and international staff.
• Understanding of adaptive management and participatory methodologies for project design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated proficiency with the MS Office software (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
• Persuasive written and oral communication in English and Swahili required, competency in a relevant local language beneficial.
• Experience within the Arid and Semi-Arid lands required.