Humanitarian Program Manager

Programme & Policy

Description

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program Summary

Mercy Corps’ Ukraine response meets the humanitarian needs of people affected by the war in Ukraine. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, Mercy Corps has supported more than 750,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Notably, nearly all our programming is delivered in partnership with civil society organizations matching humanitarian action with capacity strengthening and a real commitment to localization.

Building on successes and lessons learned, Mercy Corps Ukraine will continue to work with Ukrainian civil society organizations (CSOs) to deliver a comprehensive package of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable conflict-affected individuals and communities in Ukraine, with assistance ranging from multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), in-kind food and non-food assistance, to other support such as temporary shelter, livelihoods, and psychosocial support.

The Position

Mercy Corps requires a strong Program Manager (PM) who ensures the efficient and effective implementation of the humanitarian program in Ukraine. The Manager is responsible for coordinating and implementing the delivery of the program, including daily management of program activities and coordination across departments, and ensuring appropriate systems and support mechanisms are in place to track, analyze and report on results. The PM is a strong team leader, able to develop and mentor team members in Ukraine, with a specific aim to build the capacity of the Deputy Program Manager to transition into the Program Manager role. The PM is an effective communicator, able to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve common objectives. The PM is responsible for managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders including maintaining close working relationships with technical teams and the regional program team at HQ, and the donor.

Essential Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Implement Mercy Corps strategic vision and provide operational leadership to the implementation of Mercy Corps activities under the humanitarian program.

• Provide structure to the existing activities and response mechanisms to reinforce program quality while ensuring the programs swiftly responds to needs.

• Work closely with Deputy Program Manager to provide mentorship and support so the Deputy Program Manager is progressively equipped to assume program management responsibilities.

• Support team members through capacity strengthening opportunities.

• Contribute to exploring funding opportunities and the development of new proposals.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Oversee program management and administration of teams across various field locations.

• Develop program implementation strategies, including partnership frameworks, SOPs, and clear distribution procedures.

• 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 compliance with Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards.

• Ensure adherence to all Mercy Corps policies and procedures.

• Work with program teams to ensure day-to-day activities are implemented in a coordinated way according to workplan and budget.

• 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. This includes careful budget management/oversight through coordination of monthly budget vs actuals meetings and accurate monthly forecasting, seeking input across departments.

• Ensure that participants are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria, and that feedback mechanisms are in place.

• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct; Gender, Diversity and Inclusion guiding documents; Core Humanitarian Principles and Do No Harm.

• Oversee the production of written reports on program activities, capturing the impacts of activities.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Hire and orient team members for the humanitarian program.

• Facilitate team coordination meetings and ensure all workplans of the various departments are harmonized.

• 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.

• Coordinate with teams on support gaps and needs, providing back-stopping support for urgent tasks

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• In close consultation and collaboration with the Director of Programs, act as main focal point and liaison for the donor and other external stakeholders.

• Be actively engaged in relevant humanitarian coordination mechanisms and build collaborative relationships with peer organizations and other relevant actors to contribute to a stronger response.

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience and ability to maintain positive relationships and composure.

• Maintain high ethical standards and treat people with respect and dignity.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO PARTNERS

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our partners and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participant communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility

Deputy Humanitarian Program Manager, Cash/NFI Coordinator

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly With: Programs, Partnerships, MEL, CARM, Subawards & Compliance, Finance, HR, Operations and Security Teams

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

• 3 to 5 years of experience in managing programs in emergency contexts, with proven track record.

• Project DPro Certificate required (or willingness to complete within first months of joining)

• Experience with partner-led programming and localization methodologies, demonstrated ability to implement these practices

• Strong understanding of cash, NFI, and rapid response programming

• Can oversee program budgets, project cash flow and expenditures

• Understands donor regulations and compliance, specifically FCDO

• BA/BS or equivalent; MA/S preferred.

• Excellent oral and written English skills required; Ukrainian a bonus

• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.

Success Factors

The successful Humanitarian Program Manager will combine exceptional management skills and experience in running emergency programs. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The PM will also be a team player, who has the ability to adapt their communication style to different audiences and can coordinate across departments The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, and thrive in an evolving and changing environment while taking care of self and others.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Kyiv or Dnipro and it requires up to 40% travel to support program activities and partners. This may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in shared housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

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 based on 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.

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Added 23 hours ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: mercycorps.org