Program Quality Assurance Advisor at Mercy Corps

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 has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management. With the financial assistance from OFDA and

FFP, Mercy Corps currently implementing a multisector intervention focusing on emergency WASH, Shelters,

NFI, Cash and food to displaced populations and host communities in several LGAs in the northeast. Mercy Corps Nigeria anticipates follow on funding from USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance under the ADAPT program. All Mercy Corps interventions in Nigeria are implemented in a conflict, protection and gender sensitive manner.

General Position Summary

The Program Quality Assurance Advisor will work closely with Mercy Corps’ ADAPT program leadership, technical managers and project support teams, such as operations and finance teams, as well as program partners to provide essential support and guidance to establish effective project management systems, ensure rapid and scaled implementation, enhance workflow planning, and other critical support as needed to ensure BHA funded ADAPT Activity meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget. The Program Quality Assurance Advisor will also take the lead in streamlining management and operations processes, while ensuring adherence to Mercy Corps internal policies and procedures as well as donor regulations. S/he will ensure that program operations are of the highest quality and standards and that day-to-day issues are being addressed timely and efficiently. S/he will work in close coordination with program leadership to build, maintain and track project management tools and documents, contributing to ADAPT’s ability to articulate program impact and facilitate quality reporting and communication deliverables. 

Essential Job Responsibilities 

PROJECT QUALITY

• Responsible for working closely with the ADAPT Program Director and Program Manager to coordinate development of and maintain and/or track project management and implementation tools, such as work plans, procurements, budgetary planning, on-line project document filing, quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) processes, and workflow integration between ADAPT program and support  teams.
• Provide training and ongoing refreshers to team members and partners on MC internal program management policies and procedures, including PM@MC.
• Work with the management team to identify and quickly resolve issues, bottlenecks and conflicts that affect any aspect of program operations and quality. 
• Oversee and ensure compliance and adherence with CARM minimum standards
• Work closely with PaQ Department to incorporate country level quality initiatives in to ADAPT programming.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

• Contribute to the development of the strategic direction of ADAPT through supporting the design and facilitation of strategic program review and work planning sessions, working closely with the MEL focal points and technical teams.
• Support managers’ ability to make informed decisions for effective and compliant allocation of resources towards meeting the program’s objectives, using program tracking tools and data
• Spearhead the development, implementation and monitoring of a process for new activity design and approval that facilitates program timely approvals, quality, integration and compliance
• Coordination and facilitate the Program Management Team and Program Implementation Unit regular meetings, and follow-up on action points
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving  options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making  processes
• Support the process to contract national and international consultants as needed to  accomplish objectives of selected components
• Act as a liaison with national and program Operations and Human Resources teams to facilitate workflows and troubleshoot bottlenecks
• Act as a quality check for technical aspects of implementation

TEAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

• Work with the ADAPT program leadership devevelop and oversee a capacity building strategy for the ADAPT team, leading themes related to PM@MC, People with Possibilities and mentorship initiatives
• Support ADAPT managers to conduct team members’ reviews in a timely manner. 
• Assist hiring managers to ensure rapid hiring of open positions and on-time contract renewals.
• Support with sourcing, selection and contracting of short term assignments.
• Maintain and share tracking tools to improve coordination between HR, operations, finance and program team members. 

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTING

• Develop, train team members and monitor the implementation of an internal coordination plan that enhances program management workflow within Mercy Corps’ team
• Lead the compilation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports, coordinating closely with ADAPT leadership, PaQ Grant focal points and technical team members
• Support Complex Board processes: updating Board documents etc.
• Help draft, review and edit success stories, publications and program documents. 
• Identify and submit program materials to Mercy Corps and other agencies for broader dissemination.
• Support the Adapt team to develop, update and abide by stakeholder management planning and communication
• Collaborate closely with PaQ Country Communications focal points to produce quality communication materials for donors, external stakeholders, and global audience.   

OPERATIONS AND FINANCE

Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration, and human resources teams to   ensure operational processes support timely and high quality implementation of field activities. 

ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING

As part of our commitment to organisational learning and in support of our understanding that learning  organisations 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: None 

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Program Director ADAPT

Works Directly With: ADAPT Program Manager, PaQ Dept. team including Grant and Reporting Manager, ADAPT Technical Managers; Field Managers, Country MEL Manager, Support Dept. teams including Ops and Finance.

Knowledge and Experience 

• MA/S or equivalent experience in international development field.
• At least 4 years’ experience in program/grant management, with demonstrated experience related to supporting program quality processes, compliance and partnership management, with a proven ability to coordinate and manage diverse, complex initiatives
• Proven record of project management particularly including operations, finance and program  activities as well as trouble shooting skills. Preferably have a project management qualification such  as PMD Pro1 or PRINCE. 
• A high degree of organizational skills using computer-based tools/software with demonstrated  attention to details. 
• Experience implementing Humanitarian programming including general knowledge of technical sectors including NFI, Food Sec, Shelter, Protection, and CaSH as a modality.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate frequently and effectively in both  verbal and written form.
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills, with demonstrated experience drafting program reports.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring,  and other formal and non-formal methods. 
• Proven ability to conduct him/herself professionally under pressure. 
• Understanding of CARM and MEL principles preferred.

Success Factors 

The successful candidate will demonstrate effective leadership skills towards facilitating action across a variety of stakeholders and complex processes to achieve results. S/he will have an ability to work independently, take initiative in tasks and self-learning. S/he is proactive, and identifies bottlenecks and solutions. S/he will be able to effectively work  across departments, and disciplines, often without direct supervisory authority. S/he will be goal-oriented  and able to identify synergies and opportunities for improved team interactions. S/he will be able to work  closely with a diverse team of individuals with varying backgrounds and objectives. Excellent team and  interpersonal relationship skills are essential for success.

The position will require up to 50% travel to program offices and locations.