Deputy Program Manager -I-SING at Mercy Corps Nigeria

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 collaborate to put bold solutions into action - helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, now and for the future. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps operates in over 13 states focusing on key thematic areas of humanitarian response, conflict mitigation and adolescent girls’ empowerment.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Deputy Program Manager -I-SING

Location: Biu, Borno
Reports Directly To: All I-SING staff in the program, Finance, and operations team

Program/Department Summary

• I-SING project is a 2 year funded project by the EU- Trust fund. The position is based in Biu with travel to Gombe and Maiduguri on a regular basis.
• The main office that houses majority of the staff is based in Biu thus the need to travel. The project’s focus is on adolescent girls and boys using the safe spaces model. The project works with IDPs, returnees and the host community. The overall objective of the program is to improve the safety, livelihoods and personal agency of adolescent girls in North East Nigeria.
• General Position Summary
• The Deputy Program Manager supports the ISING Program Manager in the day to day implementation of project activities in the Gombe and Borno states of Northeast Nigeria. S/he will work closely with the ISING project officers to ensure smooth project implementation and delivery of project objectives.
• In the absence of the Program Manager, the Deputy Program Manager will act on their behalf, managing the project and work closely both with management and support staff (including finance, administration and program) in Northeast Nigeria to ensure the day to day activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.
• The Deputy Project Manager reports directly to the I-SING Program Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision:

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create an environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed.
• Develop and organize activities to secure resources for programs and convince stakeholders to provide support.

Program Management:

• Directly support the Program Manager in managing all operations and activities related to the ISING project in Northeast Nigeria according to the work plan, project document and implementation strategy.
• Troubleshoot, as needed, to prevent disruptions in daily program activities and liaise with Program Manager as necessary.
• In close collaboration with the Program Manager build the ISING Program Officer & Assistant team ensuring that there are fluent communication channels that the reporting schedule is timely met and that projects objectives are achieved.
• Coordinate and share information to ensure overall projects targets and donor obligations are being achieved. Troubleshoot on reporting and programmatic needs. Advise supervisor on suggested improvements and necessities, as required.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of trainings in any areas related to the ISING activities for staff, communities and project beneficiaries.
• Closely coordinate and share information with the various sectors of the ISING project staff including gender and livelihoods and general program support with regular program meetings and activity plans.
• Coordinate closely with the Program Manager and relevant administrative and finance staff to ensure proper logistics, administration, human resources and transport needs of the project are conducted within MC policy and with the maximum benefit to the project.
• Support the ISING Program Manager in forecasting expenditure surpluses and deficits to enable adjustments to be made to the project in a timely fashion.
• Build capacity of national staff under their supervision (program officers and assistants)
• Ensure establishment and maintenance of relationships with communities, and local government in the target locations.
• Support the Program Manager in overseeing the project filing system for all ISING related activities and ensure that information is organized accordingly to the reporting and auditing needs of the project. Ensure required levels of confidentiality.
• Mobilize communities to participate in the design, implementation and maintenance of projects as well as design viable strategies which are both respectful with the local culture and are gender sensitive and effective in engaging women in the activities of the project.
• Provide direct and ongoing supervision and managerial support to all national ISING program officers and assistants.
• Provide written and oral translation and report writing for program staff, as necessary;
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Responsible for expenditure tracking of activities carried out in the field

Influence & Representation:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with the community, government and other stakeholder’s
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets are met.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

Organizational Learning:

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

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

Supervisory Responsibility:

• The Deputy Program Manager will supervise 9 officers

Knowledge and Experience

• MA/MS/MBA in relevant field required.
• Minimum 4-5 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; specifically in economic recovery.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors

• Strong Work Ethic, having the ability to learn the most efficient way of learning the most efficient way to complete tasks and finding ways to save time while completing daily assignments. Dependability and Responsibility, having the ability to come to work on time, are there when they are supposed to be, and are responsible for their actions and behavior. Adaptability, being adaptable and maintaining flexibility in completing tasks in an ever-changing workplace.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours .
• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues, working to create a strong team share ideas and learn.

Applications Closing Date
31st July, 2017.

How To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV’s and Cover Letter in one document, addressing the position requirements to: [email protected] All applications must include the position title in the subject line.

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview and we are an equal opportunity organization so women are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.