Program Director - BEGE (Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts) at Mercy Corps

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 and resilient growth of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management. The Nigeria country program has grown considerably over the last few years, and is now among the largest Mercy Corps country programs globally, with a mixed donor & programming portfolio.
• The Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts in Borno (BEGE-Borno) intervention not only contributes to Pillar Six (Reconstruct, Rehabilitate & Resettle) of the Borno State Government STIs (Strategic Transformational Initiatives), it also aligns with Mercy Corps vision of building towards a more inclusive, resilient future for the communities we serve through a framework of helping people and communities to cope, adapt and thrive.
• The BEGE Program's goal is to deliver lifesaving, life-sustaining interventions and enhance adaptation of 238,369 displaced, returnee and host households to shocks and systemic constraints within Borno State. BEGE Borno is a consortium led by Mercy Corps, with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) as a partner, alongside other local partners, delivering integrated assistance to people in acute need through Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Assistance, Unconditional Cash, Protection, Shelter and Agriculture sectors.

General Position Summary

• This is a senior-level role with overarching leadership, management, and coordination of multi-sectoral deliverables within the consortium.
• The Program Director is a cross-functional team leader who takes full responsibility for the successful delivery across all the eight sectors including monitoring, collaborative learning and adaptation, and evaluation functions.
• This role is ultimately responsible and accountable for the timely delivery of assistance in a dignified manner, on scope and budget.
• Succeeding in this role will require an agile personality, great emotional intelligence, and a solutions thinker with a desire to define your success around improvement in the quality of human lives.
• The Program Director has a clear understanding of at least six of the ten sectors and how they work well together.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Strategy and Vision:

• Set directions by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve program objectives and contribute to humanitarian and sustainable solutions strategy
• Contribute to Mercy Corps Pathways to Possibilities (P2P) agenda, ensuring all sectors and activities align with the strategy
• Set the vision for effective management and coordination of successful delivery of an integrated package of multi-sectoral interventions
• Lead and guide the team and program Partners in delivering the activities across BEGE Program sectors
• Contribute/initiate assessments and support new initiatives to sustain efficient assistance to the local communities and program participants

Program Management:

• Manage and oversee the implementation of the BEGE program, ensuring it is on-time, on-scope and within the budget
• Structure the team to ensure that all program aspects meet the highest programmatic standards and adhere to the sectoral minimum standards and norms
• Lead and maintain consortium, program and sectoral planning meetings, ensuring workplans are functional and always up to date.
• Ensure the team produces and updates procurement and recruitment plans
• Oversee consortium management and build long-term and productive relationships with all BEGE consortium partners. Chair the consortium's regular meetings
• Ensure all MC administration, logistical, human resources and financial procedures are followed in relation to the implementation of BEGE Program.
• Work closely with the MEL team to ensure that all essential program, organizational metrics, and lessons learned are being adequately captured;
• Capture best practices and lessons learned and promote an overall culture of adaptive learning through systematic analysis and reflection on program data;
• Ensure that all donor reports are submitted on time and to the highest possible standard;
• Ensure all MC program management minimum standards are pet
• Encourage culture and learning and adaptation and work with the broader MC Nigeria (MCN) Program Accountability and Quality (PAQ) team to put in place strong knowledge management systems

Team Management:

• Recruit a program team and ensure that program staff receive necessary inductions and training (including program management certification where required).
• Create a work atmosphere of mutual respect and trust, conducive to innovations in the program implementation, professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
• Implement, and ensure all staff members are effectively using, the performance planning and management system, establishing performance expectations and regularly providing constructive feedback.
• Promote accountability by conducting staff annual performance reviews with direct supervisees and ensuring that supervisory staff personnel do the same.
• Contribute to region and country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget

Finance & Compliance Management:

• Work closely with the Finance team to review monthly budget versus actual financial management information to ensure that all program expenditure is on track and does not exceed approved budget variance limits;
• Plan and manage BEGE monthly and quarterly cash flows and oversee the timely and compliant expenditure by Mercy Corps’ sub-grantees.
• Ensure all internal control procedures are adhered to and that necessary measures are put in place to ensure high standards of accountability and compliance.
• Ensure all internal and external reports are produced to donor and Mercy Corps standards.

Influence & Representation & Collaboration:

• Work closely with all BEGE Partners and external stakeholders for impactful and efficient delivery of assistance to the communities
• Closely coordinate with MCN two sister programs implemented in Borno (THRIVE and NE CORE) to ensure effective use of shared resources.
• Represent Mercy Corps to government, donors, I/NGOs and other relevant events in the field.
• Coordinate activities with partners, sub-grantees, government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps global staff.
• Communicate effectively to ensure overall project targets and donor obligations are met.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Work closely with Mercy Corps Security and Analytics teams to develop and maintain systems that ensure the safety and security of the team in all aspects of its implementation process.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• The role directly supervises BEGE Borno Sector Leads, Field Program Managers, a Senior Program Officer

Accountability:

• Reports Directly To: Director-Humanitarian Response and Sustainable Solutions (HSSD) -Maiduguri
• Works Directly With:THRIVE Program Director, NE CORE Snr Program Manager, PAQ Team, Finance Manager, Operations Manager, Security Advisor, Senior Field Manager.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders:

• 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 project.

Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced Degree in a program that places you in the position of interacting frequently with rural and peri-urban communities. It could be Project Management, Basket Weaving, Economics, M&E, Rural Development, etc. Just Illustrate how you’re gainfully utilizing the education and how it would be an asset for you in this role.
• At least three years of qualified experience and competencies managing an integrated multisector portfolio or program. We are looking for years consistently spent in mid to senior management of assistance or development programs.
• Familiarity with USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Assistance Guidelines. Previous experience with management of an activity under what was formerly USAID OFDA and FFP is welcome.
• Familiarity with and understanding of the humanitarian context in Borno State (primary), or similar contexts around the globe (secondary).
• Mid to Senior level management experience within a consortium of actors
• Illustratable analytical and presentation skills.
• You can do an effective pitch before a board, senior government officials, humanitarian coordination platforms and other equivalents.
• Demonstrated understanding of how to manage multi-year consortium budgets of at least US$8M.
• Illustrated deep interactions with at least six of the ten assistance sectors mentioned above. These sectors define the core of BEGE Borno intervention outcomes.
• At this level, we expect you to be convincingly articulate in your writing, communication, presentation, and personal organization.
• A compelling reputation for effective people management and admirable interpersonal relations skills. You are that supervisor whose direct reports feel sad to see you leave.

Success Factors

• The successful candidate will have the enthusiasm and proactive personality to regularly interact with program partners, participants and other stakeholders.
• S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
• The successful candidate will be focused on team building and training of staff and will be able to apply creative solutions to program quality.
• S/he will also have the skill to engage, motivate and encourage staff to bring creative solutions to development issues, identify opportunities for increased impact, and pursue project objectives.
• S/he will be a self-starter and team player, a strong and effective communicator who leads and collaborates, as well as builds platforms to exchange thoughts, challenges and lessons.
• 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 always and in all in-country venues.

Living / Environmental Conditions

• The position will be based in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state with regular travel to program locations including deep field sites. The location is generally secure.
• Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are domestic travel options from Maiduguri Airport.
• Air travel is necessary to get to some field locations. Mobile phone services are widely available. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices with some inconsistencies in the most remote sites. This position requires 20-30% travel by road and air to field offices that are located in highly insecure locations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on short-term assignments. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
• Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

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, reach their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborate to do the best work of their lives.
• We recognize that diversity 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 a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC.
• 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

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Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on adolescent girls’ empowerment, economic and market development, and conflict mitigation. With the insurgency spilling over from the Northeast of Nigeria and causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs. With funding from institutional donors, foundations, and private corporations, Mercy Corps continues to assist in meeting the basic needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of food security, shelter, water and sanitation, protection, and livelihoods.
• Northwest Nigeria is currently experiencing a complex crisis and high violence perpetrated by numerous armed actors, including clashes between farmers and herders, criminal gangs, and non-state armed groups. This large-scale violence is fueled by a spiral of attacks and retaliations affecting a significant part of the population.
• The conflict has claimed thousands of lives each year since 2018, causing substantial losses of assets, weakening institutional and socioeconomic infrastructures, and leaving communities without livelihoods. Over 200,000 people have fled their homes, and approximately 60,000 fled to the neighbouring Niger Republic.
• From 16 November-30 December 2021 recorded a displacement of 969,757 people in the Northcentral and Northwest geopolitical zones. 39% of the affected population was from the Northwest, of which 18% were from Katsina representing the highest percentage of the affected States.

General Position Summary

• This role will support the implementation of the EU-funded pilot program titled ‘Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation in Northwest Nigeria. The project will be implemented through a Consortium led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with Mercy Corps (MC), and the Center for Democracy and Development( CDD).
• Katsina has been experiencing multiple dimensions of conflict, including farmer-herder strife, and acts of Banditry. While the conflict has many factors, it is rooted in the increased competition over land tenure and mismanagement of natural resources. The lack of or unimplemented policy frameworks on land access, resource use, and weak dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as a broader absence of social protection, have created a vacuum contributing to lawlessness and conflict. The conflict had its epicenter in Zamfara, however, with a false narrative, the subsequent mobilization of vigilante groups along ethnic and community lines and impunity, and increased access to light weapons, the conflict escalated to Katsina. Coupled with repeated and lethal cycles of communal violence and wider human rights violations and abuses, especially against women and girls. This proposed pilot project will complement the Government's efforts in conflict mitigation and community reconciliation by promoting an inclusive peace-building process in Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa, and Kankara LGAs in Katsina State.
• The project’s overall objectiveis to reduce community violence, promote locally-driven peace initiatives, and mitigate conflicts over natural resources in Katsina State of Northwest Nigeria. The project will contribute to strengthening the capacity of communities and local governments to manage their resources sustainably; reinforce their social cohesion; and build more resilient households and societies through the establishment of dialogue mechanisms inclusive of all social groups and authorities, provision of mental health and psychosocial support and the strengthening of the local governance system.
• The Infrastructure Advisor will be responsible for providing expert advice to the project team related to the definition of refurbishment project tasks, architectural design, and infrastructure upgrades implemented by the external contractors. The individual undertaking this post will have responsibilities to support the program team in the development of the initial scope of works for infrastructure upgrades, to supervise the work of designing the architectural outlines, and to provide day-to-day guidance and supervision on the construction sites performing quality control mechanism over the works of contractors.
• The Infrastructure Advisor will be scrutinized by Mercy Corps Global and in-country Infrastructure Technical Support Units (TSU) and will be responsible to provide on-request reports to both support units. The person undertaking this position will work in close collaboration with various local governance structures-formal and informal to exchange information and ensure consistent and quality delivery.

Essential Job Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:

• Provide technical advice in the development of the scope of works for infrastructure designs and upgrades;
• Provide effective supervision of the architectural design works;
• Provide effective monitoring and supervision of construction/rehabilitation works performed in the field;
• Provide expert input to the overall execution of all infrastructure projects;
• Facilitate information development and information sharing.

Provide technical advice in the development of the scope of works for infrastructure designs and upgrades:

• Closely cooperate with the TSU/ consultants in the development of the initial scope of works for infrastructure designs and upgrades;
• Provide advice to the TSU/consultants related to technical expertise matters about the definition of the scope of works;
• Develop the tendering documentation necessary for recruitment of the construction works company/ consultants for designing the project proposal and necessary technical documentation for construction works;
• Evaluate the technical offers resulting from the tendering process.

Provide effective supervision of the architectural design works:

• Supervise the work of consultants to ensure the architectural design is fully in line with the initial scope of works and infrastructure upgrades required;
• Supervise the work of consultants to ensure the architectural design and project proposal meet safety and security requirements, rules, and regulations;
• Develop the tendering documentation necessary for the recruitment of the construction works company/consultant to implement the project proposal;
• Evaluate the construction works companies’ offers resulting from the tendering process.

Provide effective monitoring and supervision of rehabilitation/construction works performed in the field:

• Supervise the works in the field to determine/verify delivery of contracted works according to the project proposal as developed;
• Effectively liaise with contractors and communities on the construction works sites;
• Report to the TSU on the progress in the field
• Report on issues that may arise during construction works;
• Through monitoring of the construction works sites ensure required quality, timely completion, and value for money of construction works;
• Provide certification for payments to confirm that milestones under construction contracts are achieved; including submission of the final Certificate of Completion of work

Provide expert input to the overall execution of all infrastructure projects:

• Provide technical expertise during the evaluation of bids for conformity with requirements;
• Provide technical expertise in contract management through stipulation of terms, application of special conditions if any, liability, commitments, and milestones;
• Ensure compliance with Entities’ Physical Planning and Construction Acts, by-laws regulating the construction of similar social facilities, technical regulations, general and special technical conditions, and professional codes;
• Perform other duties as delegated by the Program Manager.

Ensure facilitation of information development and information sharing in the project focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in engineering;
• Sound contributions to information sharing among project staff and project partners;
• Participate, as a resource person, in substantive and/or specific training sessions organized for the project staff and the overall Mercy Corps teams;

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encouraging the learning of others.

Functional Competencies
Advocacy / Advancing a Policy-Oriented Agenda:

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating the mandate of the joint impact and social cohesion projects

Results-Based Program Development and Management:

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work; researches linkages across program activities to identify critical points of integration; and monitors specific stages of projects/program implementation.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

• Maintaining a network of contacts: maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership-related issues; analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders; innovation and marketing new approaches; enhancing processes or products; generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices, and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position; possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks; strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning; and demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client/community needs and reports back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion; organizes and prioritizes work schedules to meet client/community needs and deadlines.

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.

Accountability

• Reports Directly To:Program Manager, with close collaboration and consultations with the in-country and global Technical Support Units (TSU), the Senior Program Office, and NRM Advisor.

Knowledge and Experience

• University Degree in Civil Engineering / Architecture. A master’s degree will be an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in supervising architectural design and construction works.
• Prior fieldwork experience in infrastructure construction and rehabilitation of projects.
• Experience in working with INGO regulations would be considered an asset.
• Advanced computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, AutoCAD)
• Prince2 training and other related project management certification would be an asset.
• Fluency in the English language; fluency in Hausa is also desirable.

Success Factor:

• S/he will be capable of multi-tasking, and rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive communication skills, and proven experience with capacity building. S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful Mercy Corps team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Living Condition/Environmental Condition:

• The position is based in the Katsina metropolis, Katsina State and it requires frequent travel to other project field locations in Katsina State, as well as Abuja. Considering the frequent travel from/to different field locations, this position will require flexibility in terms of accommodation and logistics. Housing in the field will be in hotels or guesthouses where available. Security in the field locations requires additional vigilance and accessibility will be reassessed continuously. Access to good medical services in the field is limited. Phone communication, internet, electricity, and water are available but might be erratic. The location is not eligible for hardship and R&R benefits. Given the nature of the response, working hours require flexibility, and working through weekends/evenings might be necessary.

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 can better 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. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a 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, colour, 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 the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASCand 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 adhere to the Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times.
• Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.