Technology for Development (T4D) Senior Director at Mercy Corps

The Role

The Senior Director of Technology for Development (T4D) leads the T4D team and is a senior program-facing technology leader. Working closely with both Programs and Information Technology (IT), the Sr. Director works in partnership with the global, regional, and country-level counterparts while ensuring that proposed applications can be well supported by and integrated with Mercy Corps’ enterprise technology architecture. The Sr. Director also leads the determination of processes to identify, vet, pilot, and assess the effectiveness and affordability of technology solutions to advance innovation that is aligned with program impact and efficiency ambitions.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGIC VISION, LEADERSHIP, AND INFLUENCE

• Drive Mercy Corps’ influence and thought leadership agenda regarding how innovative digital technology and data solutions can enhance the performance and impact of the sector, both externally and internally. 
• Play a leading role in exploring and articulating how AI can enhance Mercy Corps’ work and the broader sector, working closely with program teams, IT, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and other relevant counterparts..
• Develop annual or multi-annual strategies for innovative program technology uptake and scale within the organization. In some cases this may include enterprise-level digital transformation solutions that are program-facing, including adoption frameworks, governance mechanisms, scaling pathways, and associated change management..
• Continuously elaborate and improve T4D’s strategic approach and ways of working.
• Ensure outstanding collaboration across departments to ensure strategic coherence in the way that Mercy Corps manages data, digital technology, and AI for greater efficiency and impact.

PROPOSAL AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Build and execute on a shared vision for how technology can amplify impact and efficiency, and unlock new potential, throughout our work.
• Embed communication, knowledge management, and learning about program-facing technology at Mercy Corps into our program models and organization-wide Evidence and Learning Agendas.
• Build external partnerships, particularly with (but not limited to) private sector technology partners, ensuring that these partnerships advance Mercy Corps’ technological improvement and program impact aims.
• Steward external partnerships to deliver on shared objectives, pursue shared value, and access resources in terms of funding, services, expertise, and products.
• Advance equitable and locally led digital transformation by leading or supporting initiatives that strengthen local technology ecosystems, support local innovation actors, and ensure technology solutions are contextually appropriate, accessible, and sustainable.
• Understand Mercy Corps’ program approaches, strategies, and ambitions, and actively pursue technology partnerships that accelerate or advance these.
• Oversee or directly write proposals to mobilize resources for the above.
• When proposals contain significant new technology elements, oversee or directly design programmatic components that are well integrated, achievable, and innovative.

PRODUCT AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

• Manage T4D-related support requests from program and global/ regional program support teams, ensuring responsive and customer-centric service provision.
• Manage product ownership for the development of program-facing technology applications vis-à-vis program/ program support business owner teams. This could include program- or portfolio-specific technologies or enterprise technologies required by global program support teams.
• Direct and ensure the delivery of activities under awards managed by the T4D team.
• Provide or organize the provision of support to the implementation of innovative digital technology solutions within programs or program support teams.
• Ensure that Mercy Corps maintains a principled position that protects all program participants through ethical decisions in the use of technology and data, applying the principles of Do No Digital Harm, including responsible AI use, algorithmic fairness, and data ethics in low-resource and high-risk contexts.
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Evidence Use Teams to advance solutions for best-in-class program data and evidence product use.
• Work closely with Information Technology to ensure that technology solution and partnership development aligns closely with the organization’s enterprise technology architecture vision, plans, support capacity, and finances, and where possible to explore integration between program-facing and operational systems.
• Work with sectoral teams to explore and advance technology applications that improve the speed, quality, and effectiveness of program models and approaches.
• Oversee the development and delivery of skills-building efforts to develop internal talent and knowledge regarding use of data and technology including novel or emerging technologies. Where appropriate, expand these to partners with a focus on local partners.
• Oversee the establishment and management of an effective T4D community of practice.
• As needed, guide the development of resources and guidance notes to support responsible and effective digital technology use by Mercy Corps team members.
• Lead responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies across program teams, including evaluation, risk assessment, and capacity building.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Manage T4D team members and financial resources, prioritizing workload in line with strategic priorities.
• Supervise, hire, and orient new team members, consultants, and interns as necessary.
• Given the integrative nature of T4D, create and foster an effective matrixed management that allows T4D team members to collaborate on specific initiatives across a broad range of teams and team members within the organization.
• Use best practices for Human Resources, including up-to-date Job Descriptions, IOPs, and detailed review processes at pre-determined intervals.
• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach their objectives.
• Ensure accountability to workplans, portfolio growth and quality objectives, and organizational policies.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into T4D’s work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
• Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
• Encourage openness and communication within the team; encouraging team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership by consistently delivering expectations and maintaining composure, even in challenging situations.
• Embrace a growth mindset, actively seek diverse perspectives, and welcome feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards, treating all individuals with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of life, ensuring that your conduct reflects positively on Mercy Corps and does not compromise its mission or work.

Success Factors 

The Senior Director of T4D must be able to envision and implement a strategic vision, be able to translate this vision into practical actions, and lead the organizational changes required to build energy and momentum around this vision. This vision must evaluate the application of existing and emerging technology models and solutions, understanding and seizing upon emerging trends. The Sr. Director must have a demonstrated track record of leading technological and organizational innovation. They must be a self-starter who demonstrates exceptional ability in leading collaborative organizational initiatives and understanding Mercy Corps’ highest-level strategic plans and objectives. They must exhibit an expert ability to interact with the leadership team, colleague organizations, and high-level private and public sector partner representatives. The position must demonstrate deep experience managing and empowering team members and development talent. The individual must have high proficiency for working in varied cultural and political environments, and must be able to travel and work successfully in austere environments and maintain poise in stressful situations.

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or relevant field preferred
• Experience as a senior technology leader at an international organization, leading diverse technology teams with global delivery models and geographically dispersed employees highly desirable
• 12+ years’ experience in technology and related business; increasing levels of responsibilities preferred
• Demonstrated track record of building powerful external partnerships and fundraising/sales
• Experienced in managing multi-million-dollar performance dependent agreements
• Experience and comfort with extensive international travel
• International NGO or non-profit experience preferred
• Experience in leading organizational change initiatives, particularly digital technology and data systems transformations, especially with implementing enterprise-wide solutions.
• Experience in the development and management of service, capital and operating budgets.
• Fluency in English required; working proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working in or with low- and middle-income country contexts.
• Familiarity with major institutional donors (FCDO, USAID, BMZ, Gates Foundation) and their technology funding priorities.
• Experience deploying AI or GenAI applications, ideally in low-resource or humanitarian contexts preferred.