Senior Programme Manager Job Vacancy at Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps

Dar es Salaam

Mercy Corps

Let’s build a better, more just world for all

Senior Programme Manager (Wajibika) Job Vacancy at Mercy Corps

Since 1979, we have helped people grappling with the toughest hardships survive – and then thrive. That’s the heart of our approach: We help communities turn crisis into opportunity. Throughout our history, Mercy Corps has demonstrated innovation,timeliness,and the ability to adapt quickly to changing realities.

Mercy Corps has workedin Tanzaniasince 2006, focusing primarily on three thematic areas: (1) food security, (2) governance and peace, and (3) economic opportunity and livelihoods. Youth and women are at the center of all programming in Tanzania. Through these programmes Mercy Corps supports and builds the capacity of government at the national and locallevels, andof communities – making sure that theycanaddress the challenges facing them. The Agrifin programme for example connects smallholder farmers with technology and financial services to boost productivity. Mercy Corps Tanzania is part of the FCDO-funded Collective Resilience Against Extremism (CREATE), a multi-country program that aims to mitigate the drivers, enablers, and narratives of violent extremism in East Africa (targeting Mtwara, Kigoma, Mwanza, and Tanga in Tanzania specifically). Through localized strategies, CREATE focuses on strengthening and supporting societal bonds to prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals to violent extremist organizations.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the anticipated WAJIBIKA programme will promotea more open, inclusive society in Tanzania where government demonstrates greater accountability to the needs of its citizens.Wajibika will deliver this impact via threestrategic outcomesto support 1) effective civic space and inclusive political processes 2) media freedom and access to information, and 3) Government of Tanzania (GoT) knowledge, will, and capacity for public service reforms. Wajibika is divided into three components aligned with the three outcomes. The first two components require indicative activities and delivery partners to be outlined at the bidding stage. The final component is a flexible, demand-led facility to tactically support GoT, FCDO, and SDC with research and technical assistance to drive governance innovation.

The Position

Mercy Corps is seeking candidates for a Senior Programme Manager (SPM) who will lead on all programme management, compliance, and finance requirements of an expected five-year FCDO and Swiss Government-supported Wajibika Programme in Tanzania.The Senior Programme Manager will be FCDO’s primary contact point for all issues relating to programme management, financial management, risk management, asset management, delivery chain mapping, routine contract management, financial and progress reporting, governance and compliance.

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

Ensure that programme delivery is accurately at pace and in line with FCDO principles, standards and guidance.

Ensure effective management and co-ordination of the programme management team.

Lead the communication with FCDO by quickly, accurately, and fully responding to client queries.

Proactively foresee FCDO questions and provide key information to enable decisions including on programme adaptation, critically appraising progress, troubleshooting programme issues and escalating delivery risks as appropriate.

Oversight of any risks and issues arising, maintaining an up-to-date risk register and developing strategies for risk mitigation.

Maintaining a broad yet working level knowledge of all aspects of the programme.

Ensure timely and well managed procurement of services to deliver the programme in line with FCDO systems and guidance.

Coordinate Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) functions for the team.

Ensure that learning is fed back into the programme to inform course correction and adaptive programming.

Lead the production of projectreportsensuring quality standards within the agreed deadlines, in coordination with the Senior Public Sector and GIF Lead.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Work with partners to ensure accurate andtimely financial reporting and forecasting.

Ensure that the team is consistently practicing sound financial management using appropriate tools and practices.

GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE

Leading on Due Diligence Assessments and ensuring Value for Money is demonstrated.

Supervisory Responsibility

Finance and Admin Lead; MEAL and Communication Lead.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Deputy Programme Director

Works Directly With: Finance and Admin Lead, MEAL and Communication Lead, Country Director, Finance and Operations teams, Senior Public and Sector anf GIF Lead. Coordinates with HQ Program Performance team and the Technical Support Unit.

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 Qualification & Transferable Skills

Master’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, law, development studies, etc. However, a bachelor’s degree and five (5) additional years of relevant international development experience can be substituted for the Master’s degree.

At least seven-ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, with a specific focus on civil society, media, and public sector governance.

Experience working in the government sector in East Africa is essential; Tanzania experience is preferred.

Proven relevant expertise in programme management of large and complex programmes in consortia in high-pressure operating environments.

Experience working on FCDO programs preferred.

Demonstrated concise and clear written and oral communication skills.

Previous experience living and working in challenging or insecure environment.

Fluency in spoken and written Englishand Kiswahili.

Knowledge of local dialects is preferred.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding attention to detail, professional communication and donor management skills, critical thinking and a results mindset and capability at an internationally competitive level.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

This position is based in Dar-es-Salaam. The location is accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with nearly unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are many schools (local and international) within Dar-es-Salaam and staff have good access to basic services. This position will also include frequent travel to the field where the programme will be implemented.

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on ashort-termassignment. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and valuesalwaysand 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.

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 eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.