PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps works in fragile and conflict-affected environments to build secure, productive, and just communities. We believe that transitional environments – countries affected by civil wars, economic and political crisis, or natural disasters – offer tremendous opportunities for positive change. Since the late 1990s, Mercy Corps has managed over 100 peacebuilding projects in over 30 countries and regions, making Mercy Corps a leader in the field. We currently implement 34 peacebuilding programs in some of the world’s toughest places. In Nigeria, Mercy Corps is currently implementing a UKAID-funded program called Conciliation in Nigeria through Community-Based Conflict Management and Cooperative Use of Resources (CONCUR), the GHR Foundation-funded Inter-religious Peacebuilding in Northern Nigerian (IPNN) program, the USAID-funded Engaging Communities for Peace in Nigeria (ECPN) and the Ford foundation-funded Future of Youth in Norther Nigeria. Mercy Corps is actively engaged in program design for the Northeast, including countering violent extremism and community peacebuilding. Mercy Corps also provides technical assistance in conflict sensitivity to programs around Nigeria and leads coordination bodies aimed at reducing conflict across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Conflict Management Programs will provide leadership and strategic vision for Mercy Corps’ portfolio of conflict management programs in Nigeria. S/he will work with the Country Director to pursue new programming opportunities and will serve as a liaison to external bodies, including donors and other organizations, in the area of conflict mitigation. The Director will also raise the profile of Mercy Corps Nigeria conflict programming through increased communications and dissemination of research and lessons around peacebuilding, governance, and economic development. S/he will lead the technical direction of conflict programming and will be responsible for the successful implementation of conflict management initiatives, providing overall management and supervisory guidance for current and future conflict programming. S/he will ensure effective coordination and information management across various conflict programs and will work to integrate best practices in conflict sensitivity across Mercy Corps Nigeria.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
New Initiatives
In coordination with the Country Director and other relevant personnel and counterparts, identify new initiatives that foster and/ or improve the strategic objectives of the country office, whether utilizing existing resources or requiring program/ project development.
Lead development of identified new initiatives.
Actively pursue applications of Mercy Corps program models to emerging conflict environments in Nigeria and integrate conflict programming into other Mercy Corps initiatives.
Develop and implement donor engagement strategies to strategically position Mercy Corps Nigeria to expand activities into new geographical and programmatic areas, and with new donors.
Communication and Representation
Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field, in close coordination with the Country Director.
Serve as leader in coordination groups across conflict management programs in the country and provide thought leadership external to Mercy Corps.
Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
Promote MCN conflict management programs within the agency, through communication about program successes with Headquarters and other country offices.
Technical Leadership and Strategy
Improve quality of conflict management programs through innovation, active pursuit of lessons learned, adaptability to changing dynamics, and integration of related programming for increased impact.
As a strategic leader, actively participate in management meetings and country-wide strategy sessions.
Design and pursue research initiatives designed to increase the evidence base around Mercy Corps conflict programming, integrated peacebuilding and development, countering violent extremism, and other related areas.
Liaise with other entities conducting related research to ensure coordination of efforts.
Provide technical assistance in the areas of conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm to other MCN programs.
Strengthen linkages with other internal agency units to drive forward quality and innovation of MCN conflict management programming.
Program Management
Provide leadership and strategic vision in all aspects of program implementation, development and management.
Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan.
Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations.
Oversee performance of relevant consortium partners and sub-grantees.
Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites and ensure quality program implementation.
Staff Management, Professional Development and Team building:
Create a work atmosphere conducive to professional growth and development of excellent personnel at all levels.
Implement, and ensure all staff 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 do the same.
Contribute to country team-building efforts, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
Organizational Learning: As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities.
Accountability to Beneficiaries:
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our participants 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: Conflict Management Program Staff (direct supervision of 6 team managers/advisors; overall conflict team strengths: 14 team members.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director, Nigeria
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Mercy Corps Operations and Finance teams, other Program Managers/Directors, Regional Director, and counterparts in neighboring MC country offices. The Director works directly with relevant Mercy Corps headquarters units as necessary, including Mercy Corps’ global Conflict Management and Governance teams, Economic and Market Development team and various administrative/financial units.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field.
Eight+ years of international development experience including at least three years in a management position.
At least three years of experience living and working in developing countries, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
Strong understanding of various donor compliance issues.
Experience in proposal development and identification of new initiatives.
Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing, editing, and presentations.
Strong management skills and experience managing multiple personnel, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
Experience managing programs in conflict management and peacebuilding, with additional experience in governance and/or economic development programs preferred
Experience in designing and/or implementing stabilization and countering violent extremism activities strongly preferred
Experience with program development with DFID, USAID and major foundations preferred
Understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Nigeria, or West Africa.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Director of Conflict Management Programs will combine experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships and exceptional management skills. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development, and strong mentoring skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position will be based in Abuja with up to 40% travel, primarily to program locations within the Middle Belt and Northeast and other conflict-affected states, where security is at times high-risk. Security in Abuja is generally good, although there are times when security is an issue. Housing, health care, water, electricity and consumer goods are all reasonably accessible and there are good international and domestic travel options from Abuja Airport.
Abuja is an accompanied location suitable for spouse/partner and/or dependents. This position is eligible for R&R.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.
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