Description
Location : Ukraine, Poland, or Romania
Position Status - Full time, Regular. 6 months + upon funding
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.
Program / Department Summary
Mercy Corps is responding to the Ukraine emergency since the escalation of armed conflict across the country in February 2022.
The attacks set off a wave of displacement internally and into the countries along Ukraine’s western borders. Mercy Corps response program will focus on multi-purpose cash intervention and other key sectors, particularly food security, livelihoods, NFIs, and protection.
Mercy Corps is also supporting local NGOs and other civil society actors currently supporting displaced populations, as well as those in Ukraine sheltering in place.
As Mercy Corps pursues its objectives in the region it will continue to assess the security situation in areas of potential operation, with an eye towards the logistics of possible programmatic interventions and positioning going forward.
General Position Summary
The Emergency Program Manager ensures the efficient and effective implementation of the response program. They are responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the response program, including daily management of program activities and program staff, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyse and report on results.
They are a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members and are effective communicators, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives.
They are responsible for managing relationships with local partners, beneficiaries and donors, contributing to the achievement of the response program’s objectives.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
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.
Program Management
Oversee program startup and ongoing program management and administration of teams across various field locations.
Integrate the use of community approaches in the design, implementation, and maintenance of projects.
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.
Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide.
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 donors and Mercy Corps policies and procedures.
Ensure that beneficiaries are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria, and that feedback mechanisms are in place.
Develop partners’ MoUs and contracts & oversee induction / training for program partners.
Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.
Team Management
Draft and / or review scope of work to hire and manage team members and technical consultants
Ensure team members improve performance & reach objectives.
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, and cultivate resilience and well-being under challenging situations.
Influence & Representation
Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
Ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.
Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.
Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.
Exhibit an awareness of their own strengths and development needs.
Security
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies
Contribute to creating a secure environment for team members.
Supervisory Responsibility
Emergency program team members
Accountability
Reports Directly To : Director of Programs
Works Directly With : Field Security Manager / Finance Team Emergency Responder / Human Resources Manager / MEL role / Procurement and Logistic Responder / Program Development, Reporting and Communication Officer / AiE Focal Point / CTP Advisor / Food Security and Livelihood Program Manager / WASH Program Manager / others
Knowledge and Experience
3-5 years of experience in managing programs in emergency contexts.
required
BA / BS or equivalent in relevant field; MA / S is preferred.
Excellent oral and written English skills required; proficiency in Russian or Ukrainian is a plus.
Proficiency with MS Office software required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Mercy Corps Core Humanitarian Competencies (as defined in the Humanitarian Capacity Framework) preferred.
Technical competencies :
Understands Sphere Standards and ensures they are met
Can conduct rapid needs assessments, in line with Mercy Corps’ approach and industry’s best practice
More than 50% of Mercy Corps’ responses are cash / voucher-based programming so it is recommended that any Emergency Program Manager possesses the following competencies :
Understands theoretical and applied knowledge about CTP
Can develop SOPs in line with Mercy Corps’ Minimum Standards (on CTP and Goods Distribution)
Can identify and initiate setup of payment mechanisms
Functional competencies
Possess project management skills and applies PM MC minimum standards for all phases of the project cycle
Can oversee and implement participatory assessment processes
Can oversee program budgets, project cash flow and expenditures
Understands donor regulations and compliance (USAID, ECHO, DFID, UN, etc.)
Effectively manages teams / people and apply relevant Mercy Corps’ procedures and approaches
Supports team members through capacity building
Possesses basic understanding of procurement and logistics
Can ensure feedback from crisis-affected people and other stakeholders is incorporated in program design, implementation and learning
Can ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies
Leadership competencies
Recognizes opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed
Drives impact by building high performing teams
Broadens influence by role modelling and leveraging networks 
