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Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian aid agency engaged in transitional environments that have experienced some sort of shock: natural disaster, economic collapse, or conflict.
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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps anticipates applying for funding for a five-year USAID Food for Peace Activity to support agriculturalists, agro-pastoralists, and pastoral households living in Northern Kenya. The program will be an integrated food security activity with a goal of achieving food security in the target counties in Kenya, through community level governance, preventing chronic malnutrition, sanitation and hygiene and sustainable livelihoods.
General Position Summary
The Research & Design and Strategic Learning Lead will be responsible for formative research activities, collaboration, and learning across all projects those results in locally adapted programmatic approaches for reducing acute malnutrition. The researcher must be proficient in creative and rigorous research design, familiar with relevant measurement approaches, and experienced in translating evidence into improved practice. S/he will ensure the program results in intentional and adaptive learning, and that findings are disseminated broadly. S/he will be responsible for improving peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, evidence and data utilization, and collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA). This position will play a key role in helping build an environment of evidence-based programming and adaptive management at all levels.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
Program Management
Team Management
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
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.
Supervisory Responsibility
DFSA Program Team
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party
Works Directly With: Sector leads/senior managers, field teams, MEL team, finance and operations team, partner organizations, other implementers, Mercy Corps HQ Research & Learning and Performance and Quality Teams
Knowledge and Experience
Success Factors
The successful Research, Design and Strategic Learning Lead will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members and other stakeholders of varied work styles and cultures, follow procedures and meet deadlines with flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving. S/he will have a proven ability to learn quickly, multi-task, prioritize, take initiative, and be accountable for results, understand the larger picture while remaining focused on the details, problem solving, work within a complex and sensitive setting and to follow laws and security protocols. 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.
Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The Research, Design and Strategic Learning Lead is based in Nairobi with 50%+ travel to implementation areas. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are numerous International schools in Kenya. Staff have a relatively high degree of access to health and utility services (hospitals, clinics, electricity, water, etc.). This position requires frequent travel by road and air to field offices in less secure environments, where basic amenities are lacking (no running water, and limited electricity without generators). This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps anticipates applying for funding for a five-year USAID Food for Peace Activity to support agriculturalists, agro-pastoralists, and pastoral households living in Northern Kenya. The program will be an integrated food security activity with a goal of achieving food security in the target counties in Kenya, through community level governance, preventing chronic malnutrition, sanitation and hygiene and sustainable livelihoods.
General Position Summary
The System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead will provide technical oversight, management and strategic vision to the implementation of the system strengthening and institutionalization aspects of a five-year, multi-million dollar USAID/Food for Peace funded Development Food Security Activity (DFSA). S/he will manage staff, resources and partnerships to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget. The System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead will supervise program staff and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps policies and donor rules and regulations. Close coordination and collaboration with other senior managers of the DFSA program will be crucial in developing and maintaining an integrated and multi-sector approach for the program.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
Program Management
Team Management
Work closely with the program, administration, and operations teams to ensure successful support for system strengthening and institutionalization functions.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
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.Supervisory Responsibility
DFSA Program TeamAccountability
Reports Directly To: Chief of Party
Works Directly With: DFSA team, DFSA partners, Mercy Corps Kenya country office, and Mercy Corps headquarters support including HQ Technical Support Unit.
Knowledge and Experience
Success Factors
The successful System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead will combine strong technical skills with leadership and management skills. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative systems strengthening programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural teams and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous 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.Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions
The System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead is based in Nairobi with 50%+ travel to implementation areas. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are numerous International schools in Kenya. Staff have a relatively high degree of access to health and utility services (hospitals, clinics, electricity, water, etc.). This position requires frequent travel by road and air to field offices in less secure environments, where basic amenities are lacking (no running water, and limited electricity without generators). This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits.
Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps' vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
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