RIPA Somali Region Program Coordinator

Job Description

About Mercy Corps

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.

Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy with a vision to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses in the four outcome areas: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently, we operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors that includes United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations (UN), JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. 

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing  a five year, USAID funded Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA-North) program focused on: supporting to improve the disaster and risk management system;  stimulating increased production, productivity and marketing through more competitive livestock and livestock products markets; increasing communities’ resilience; improving alternative livelihood options through essential skills transfer; improving food security and nutrition, and contributing to the wider knowledge on pastoral development.  The program operates in Afar, Somali and Oromia regions.

General Position Summary

Under the direction and management support from the Chief of Party (COP), the RiPA Somali region Program Coordinator is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Somali region RiPA project. S/he ensures all project initiatives are implemented to achieve maximum impact as per program and project objectives, while remaining on schedule and budget.  The RIPA Somali region Program Coordinator directly manages the Field Level specialties and Technical Coordinator(s) within the project. Strong day-to-day coordination with the Area Office Managers in Jijiga and Dire Dawa offices is required to ensure that office operations are running effectively and are compliant with all internal and external regulations.  S/he will work with the Addis-based Component leaders to ensure that RiPA project objectives are implemented effectively through each Component team.  Her/his close working relationships with all technical units ensures program activities are carried out according to the highest standards and remain responsive and appropriate to the local context.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. RiPA project coordination and integration of all project components in the Somali region
2. Somali region RiPA staff management
3. RiPA representation and communication across the Somali region.
4. RiPA project budget management for the Somali region.

STRATEGY & VISION

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives and contribute to countrywide strategy development.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

DESCRIPTIVE JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide overall managerial leadership for the RiPA project in Somali Region covering the 4 thematic areas for the RIPA project (i) Improved Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Systems and Capacity. (ii) Diversified and Sustainable Economic Opportunities for People Transitioning out of Pastoralism (ToPs) particularly youth and women. (iii) Intensified and Sustained Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Production and Marketing (iv) Improved and Sustained Nutrition and Hygiene Practices
• Create an environment of excellence, accountability and collaboration with the components teams.
• Develop own deep understanding and mastery of technical areas under the RiPA project – including market systems, natural resource management, nutrition; social behavior change and communication; WASH and landscape approaches to development. This should include coaching, relationship building, entrepreneurialism/business understanding and innovating.
• Ensure all project activities are delivered at the highest standards possible.
• Lead effective coordination, collaboration and integration among all technical and project operational support teams.
• Coordinate with the Jigjiga Area Office Manager and the Dire Dawa Area Office Manager to ensure that all logistical and operational needs for the project are clearly relayed in a timely manner. The RiPA Coordinator will include the Area Office Managers in all relevant communications to ensure a clear understanding of the project implementation exists. This includes sharing information on concept notes activities and monitoring efforts.
• Ensure effective and timely monitoring, documenting and reporting on all RiPA project activities as per the policies and practices of Mercy Corps, the donor, and the government.
• Jointly with the component leaders support field level technical coordinators to set key program performance indicators and review them quarterly.
• Jointly with the component leaders support field level technical coordinators to set Personal key performance indicators and development plans including reviewing them as per scheduled.
• Finance management skills to monitor regional budgets together with field program coordinators.
• Provide constructive feedback to staff (subordinate, lateral and senior) both through informal and formal processes.
• Provide timely updates to supervisor, key program, operations, technical as well as administrative point persons on progress and issues, identifying risks and proposing solutions for action and early resolution.
• Conduct weekly RIPA Somali Region Management Unit meetings, and report to the COP.
• Coordinate and Participate in the Cluster Technical Working Groups meetings.
• In conjunction with the COP, conduct quarterly budget meetings and track all expenditures against allocated budget for the Somali Region.
• Upon request, attend relevant project meetings at national level.
• In conjunction with the COP, plan and conduct quarterly and annual project review meeting with relevant stakeholders to assess progress, adjust plans, and draw/disseminate lessons learned in the Somali Region
• Partner with the private sector, government, and community in areas of RiPA operation.
• Regularly visit field activities to assess progress and provide formal and informal feedback.
• Adhere to Mercy Corps, donor and government policies and procedures.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Oversee ongoing program management and administration of teams across.

• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts.
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Build effective relationships with relevant program teams based on mutual trust and collaboration.
• Assist team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget.

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Liaise with Regional Level local government officials, local NGOs and civil society organizations, local religious leaders and other stakeholders to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps’ programs.
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, other humanitarian and development organizations, and local partners, including representing Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

GEDSI (GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION)

• Adherence of gender minimum standards
• Allocate budget for GESI related activities and staff capacity building on GESI
• Make sure GESI issues are properly reflected during program management.
• Support the organization’s commitment to age and gender inclusive team building process
• Promote an inclusive and equitable workplace culture
• Support Staff Capacity Building on Increase staff knowledge of GEDSI
• Coordinate with GEDSI Technical Team Improve gender-responsiveness of program /Project MEAL
• Increased commitment to Gender Equality Diversity and Social inclusion

Supervisory Responsibility

Team members working on RIPA in Somali region directly for C1, C2, C3 , C4 Component Coordinators and CLA and gender specialist.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: COP

Works Directly With:

• RIPA component teams in Addis and Somali Region
• RIPA CLA and MEL team (in Addis and Somali Region)
• Oromia Cluster Coordinator

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.

Job Requirement

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/BSc in relevant field, or equivalent experience Master’s degree in any one of technical or management course in the program focus areas highly preferred.
• At least 6 years in a middle or senior level management position
• Previous experience managing complex project or consortium an added advantage
• Excellent communicator in English with demonstrated excellent report writing and speaking skills, knowledge of local languages (Somali/Afan Oromo) greatly advantageous.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem solving and relationship management skill.
• Six years’ experience managing teams, strategic planning and implementing programs.
• Proven experience developing effective and diverse teams in dynamic contexts.
• Strong organizational and managerial skills.
• Experience or working in the Somali region with strong contextual knowledge of cultures. Working along border regions a plus.
• Experience effectively initiating and maintaining productive relationships with private, public, civil-society and research sector partners.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to lead and communicate effectively with team members 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.

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 and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. 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.