Jobs at Mercy Corps

Objectives:

To better comprehend and capture the multi-faceted learnings from GIRL-H, Mercy Corps seeks a consultant to consolidate the diverse evaluation, assessment, and review reports from its operational sites. This will include copy editing, copywriting, and the design and production of a comprehensive, well-edited, and graphically rich report.

• Review and analyze the existing learning reports from different geographies (Kenya, Uganda, Haiti, and Nigeria) and the different themes (Baseline & midline evaluations, Process evaluations, learning assessments, internal program reports, donor program reports and pause and reflect sessions reports).
• Consolidate the key learnings, findings, and recommendations from these reports into a comprehensive and coherent document.
• Highlight the challenges, best practices, and potential strategies for future implementation of the GIRL-H model based on the analyses.
• Develop two learning documents that will focus on safe space implementation for adolescents and youth; and most viable transition pathways for adolescents and youth. These documents are expected to serve as guides and frameworks for other programs intending to implement the GIRL model.

Tasks

• Review and Analyze Reports: Comprehensive review and analysis of all reports, evaluations, and other relevant documentation.
• Engage with the GIRL-H team to clarify any queries or doubts.
• Desk review: Compile, synthesize, and analyze data across various reports to identify trends, patterns, and key learnings.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with program teams and stakeholders for additional insights and validation of findings.
• Draft Consolidated Report: Develop a consolidated report outlining findings, learnings, challenges, and recommendations.
• Copy Editing and Writing: Conduct copy editing and copywriting to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with Mercy Corps’ communication style.
• Graphic Design: Create a visually appealing report that aligns with the branding and aesthetic values of Mercy Corps.
• Knowledge Management Framework: Develop a framework to facilitate the structured use of learning in future initiatives.
• Synthesis and Validation: Present the consolidated report to the GIRL-H team for feedback and finalization.

Expected Deliverables:

The expected outcomes of consolidating learnings of GIRL program are as follows:

• A preliminary summary of insights from the two learning briefs.
• A comprehensive consolidated report, inclusive of key lessons, recommendations, and areas of improvement for future programs.
• A presentation summarizing the consolidated findings suitable for stakeholder meetings.
• A learning document that highlights the components of safe spaces that are necessary for adolescents' and youth well-being.
• A learning document that highlights the viable transition pathways – and description of the supporting program activities and materials - for adolescents and youth.

Key Relationships

• The consultant will work under the direction and supervision of the Research & Evidence Lead who will be the consultant’s focal point-person, overseeing the consultant’s work over the period of engagement. The consultant will collaborate with the TSU Advisor (Adolescent Girls and Youth) who will provide technical guidance on the framing of products.

Reporting Lines

• Guidance on this assignment will be collaborative and carried out under the overall guidance of the Research and Evidence Lead, in close consultation with the TSU Advisor (Adolescent Girls and Youth) and the Program Director. Progress meetings will be held between the consultant and Research and evidence Lead (weekly) to ensure that activities are on track, that objectives are being met, and are in line with overall Mercy Corps requirements.

Desirable Experience

• Advanced degree in agriculture, economics, social sciences, demography, public health, or relevant field with 7-10 years of experience in conducting mixed-method research.
• Experience and knowledge in resilience, livelihoods, market systems, and programs in the global south is preferred.
• Fluency in speaking and writing in English will be considered an advantage.
• Experience conducting research, and interviewing beneficiaries and stakeholders working in resilience and humanitarian contexts, are desirable.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Specifically, the ability to communicate clearly in English.
• Superior organizational skills and the ability to adhere to the scope procedures.

Please submit your detailed proposal to tenders.mck@mercycorps.org by close of business on Wednesday 8th November 2023.

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• The Regional Program Advisor for Performance and Quality (PaQ) will oversee two inter-related areas 1) program management and standards, 2) regional collaboration and strategic support. The Regional Program Advisor for Performance and Quality (PaQ) will partner closely with regional and country leadership to support teams to achieve high quality program implementation through adherence to Mercy Corps and global best practices, policies and procedures, which include PM@MC and other Minimum Standards at Mercy Corps and other agency level initiatives. Working closely with country and regional leadership, the Advisor will support teams to conduct program implementation quality reviews, enable systems to track compliance with minimum standards and work with the MERL advisor to monitor quality of M&E data collection and analysis. 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

 Program Management and Standards

• Ensure that program managers and directors are oriented, trained and prepared to implement program management standards. In collaboration with Global PaQ contribute to development and delivery of the agency strategy to design, promote and verify accountability to integrated standards that ensure quality program implementation. 
• Foster a culture that values high quality program management practices.
• Contribute to global efforts to integrate and mainstream Mercy Corps’ program management standards, tools, resources, and accountability mechanisms, ensuring a strong user perspective from across Africa programs.
• Lead adoption and refinement of agency program management policies in Africa, including the Program Management Manual, Gender Integration and Standards, Program Record Retention and Archiving Policy, and other related policies.
• Support country offices in integrating minimum standards into the newly approved Strategic Plans- Pathways to Possibilities (P2P)
• Coordinate PM@MC learning, training, and facilitation across Mercy Corps’ programs and teams in Africa. Oversee internal program management training and skill-building, and track key performance indicators.
• Contribute to a culture of learning and adaptive management.

Accountability

•  Work closely with Regional CARM Advisors to coordinate regional rollout and adherence to Mercy Corps’ CARM Policies in close collaboration with the Global CARM Team.
• Work closely with country teams to embed accountability mechanisms within our standard program management tools and practices throughout the program cycle.

Regional Collaboration and Strategic Support

• Continue to build a Regional Program Performance Unit that is equipped to partner with Regional and Country teams to ensure consistently high program quality and performance standards, including: 
• Support country teams in the review of PAQ structures to ensure optimal functionality.
• Support strategic hiring for Key PaQ, positions within country teams.
• Support orientation and onboarding of country-level PaQ and other senior program staff.
• In coordination with global efforts, engage with and grow relevant Communities of Practice and organize learning/sharing events to promote a dynamic group of PaQ specialists across the region.
• Contribute to Regional and Country Strategies, as requested. Design indicators and processes to measure performance and impact against the Regional Strategy.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Recruit and lead an efficient, capable and high-performing team, with a particular emphasis on developing and promoting African talent.
• Develop and empower team members to deepen understanding of their roles, improve performance and reach objectives and assist with career development.
• 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.
• Contribute to regional team-building efforts and ensure the integration of team members into relevant decision-making processes.

 Internal & External Collaboration

Build and maintain positive working relationships across all headquarters departments, country and regional teams, as well as other key stakeholders within Mercy Corps.

• Represent Mercy Corps’ program management work externally, and cultivate strong working relationships across key organizations and partners to share learning and keep practices current.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

ACCOUNTABILITY:

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Technical Director for Africa Region

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Regional and Country leadership, program managers, country-level MEL & CARM team members, Global PaQ Team members, other relevant headquarters-based departments.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders 

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. 

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills      

• BA in relevant field required; MA/MS/MBA or equivalent experience preferred
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in international relief and development, including field-based experience; demonstrated knowledge of grant-based funding models, emergency response and development strategies and operational challenges in the sector
• 3-5 years of experience managing programs and/or demonstrated ability to establish strong program management systems and practices to promote quality, performance and accountability within individual or country programs
• Demonstrated experience and skills of leading a team to build a culture of accountability, high performance, and establishment of reflective and adaptive management practices
• Demonstrated success designing and delivering professional development activities
• Experience leading or supporting change management preferred
• Project management certification required
• Proficiency with MS Office software required (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), and Google suite (Google drive, docs, sheets)
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to build strong and productive working relationships with a geographically dispersed team
• Fluency in English and French strongly preferred.

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The Position 

• The Director, Regional HR Business Partner, is responsible for leading and managing the human resources function for the East Africa Region. The Director, HRBP works closely with Regional Senior Leadership to understand the needs and objectives of the Country Programs to develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives that support the regional strategy and contextual needs of individual Country Programs, while remaining aligned with Mercy Corps’ global strategy.

Essential Responsibilities

• Advocates for and represents all areas of Mercy Corps’ People strategy. Actively participate as a strategic leader and member of the Regional senior leadership team with input, oversight, and accountability for the HRBP and Employee Relations functions
• Work with the Regional Director and the Chief People Officer to guide the overall vision and approach of the People Team, delivering clear actionable plans aligned with program needs and the regional context, and gain support/ownership for that agenda with key stakeholders in the Region.
• Strategically develops and manages cross-departmental and cross-functional relationships and activities to ensure that the human resource function is well integrated into wider agency objectives.
• Developing capabilities of country HR teams and providing them with guidance and support to ensure that they are effectively carrying out their responsibilities.
• Providing guidance and support to managers and team members on a wide range of HR-related topics, such as performance management, employee development, All Voices survey and leadership development
• In collaboration with the Africa Regional Leadership team, Country Directors, and other People team functions like Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Leadership and Learning, People Operations and Total Rewards identifies areas of opportunity to develop and implement programs that foster employee engagement and success for the region.
• Leverages and supports ongoing communication campaigns to strengthen the Global Human Resource team brand throughout appropriate digital, social media and in-person avenues within the agency. Apply lessons learned and best practices to achieve this objective at the country and regional level.
• Partner with the Employee Relations Team to ensure strategic decision-making and compliance in all performance and conduct related issues.
• Leverage Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Leadership and Learning, and Total Rewards -to develop and implement programs which foster employee engagement and success
• Leading and assisting in the development and planning of organizational change/transformation, leading identification/framing of problems, creation of trusting relationships, action plan fulfillment
• Working with the HR leadership team to develop and implement organization-wide HR policies and programs, and ensuring that they are consistently applied across the region
• Analyzing HR data and metrics to identify trends and areas for improvement, and providing recommendations to senior leadership on how to address any issues or concerns
• Actively promoting the organization's diversity and inclusion initiatives and working with the HR team to develop programs and initiatives that support a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• In addition to these specific responsibilities, the Director, Regional HR Business Partner must possess strong leadership skills, excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, and a deep understanding of HR best practices and regulations. They must also be able to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and be able to adapt to changing business needs and priorities.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Regional SR. HRBP, Country HR leaders (Co-Supervisor with CD)

Accountability
Reports directly to: Deputy Regional Director and the Chief People Officer
Works directly with: Country Directors, Regional SMTs, Total Rewards, Talent Management, Leadership and Learning, Talent Acquisition, Employee Relations, People Operations, People Systems, Corporate Finance; Ethics, Legal and other teams as needed.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• 10 years of Human Resources experience in global roles with a bachelor’s degree in HR or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years international experience.
• Exposure to INGO Programming, Country Operations is highly preferable.
• Experience leading a diverse team across geographies.
• Demonstrated understanding of working in Africa, and significant experience with the challenges of operating and managing HR functions in the region.
• Demonstrated capacity to utilize analytics and technology to improve efficiency.
• Demonstrated capacity to incorporate best in class assessment approaches in global organization.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to create, implement, maintain, and improve HR processes.
• Demonstrated passion for staffing in international relief and development environments.
• Ability to communicate and problem-solve effectively across diverse cultures with sensitivity.
• Experience facilitating senior level conversations.
• Fluency in French and English strongly preferred.