Country: Niger
Closing date: 30 Oct 2015
PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps has been operational in Niger since September 2005. Current areas of focus include food security, agriculture and livestock development, health and nutrition, livelihoods and economic recovery, governance, and emergency response. The goal of Mercy Corps in Niger is to support vulnerable, at risk communities to recover from shocks and exclusion and secure viable opportunities for sustainable economic development. While Mercy Corps currently focuses mostly on the above activities, we are increasingly shifting towards integrated development programming with a focus on sustainable livelihoods, resilience-building, and economic development.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Grants & Business Development Officer (GBDO) will work closely with the Country Director (CD) and program teams to lead program development and new initiatives and to ensure effective and qualitative Programs' implementation, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance and accountability. The position will be based in Niamey, with regular travel to the field sites. S/he will help represent the Mercy Corps programs to donors, other NGOs and stakeholders, thematic clusters, relevant government authorities, and other program partners.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Business and new initiative development (including concept notes, proposals and strategies)
- Lead the identification of new initiatives and opportunities that respond to identified needs and the country strategy,
- In close coordination with the Country Director and Program Managers, build up new partnerships and jointly develop new initiatives, new ventures, etc. for strategic collaboration on common objectives and shared values for high and sustainable social impact.
- Work closely with regional programmatic teams/advisors, relevant sectoral Technical Support Units (TSU) and SPOs to develop new initiatives and be on the loop for potential opportunities in-country and at regional level in line with the country and regional programmatic strategies and the agency global objectives.
- Work closely with the Country Director to assess the needs for program design, evaluate, analyze and further develop a multi-year country specific strategic plan for Niger, in line with the regional value propositions and MC global strategy.
- Establish a working business development team as appropriate (including programs, finances and operations teams) that will focus on the development of new initiative, new businesses, new programs, etc. and ensure submission of compelling CNs and proposals as needed
- Lead the development and submission of solicited and unsolicited concept notes and proposals relevant to the country context and developed strategies, in close collaboration with program, finance and operations teams.
- In close coordination with the Country Director, ensure planning and the development of multi-year country strategy through a clear design, assessment and analysis of the specific country context and in a very participatory manner
- Ensure clear monitoring, research and analysis of donors' strategies for the country and share with management and programs' design, business development team
- Establish a clear, concise and timely action plan for the development of new business for the country program
Grants' Management:
- As Grants' Manager, serves as the focal point for the production of timely and quality donors' reports on all in-country programs in close coordination with all programs' teams and HQ Senior Programs' Officers for timely submissions of the reports. This includes reviews, editing, translations and contributions to report writings and backstopping for Program Managers/Directors during their absence.
- Ensure a clearly understanding of donors' requirements regarding reports, success stories, communication by all programs' teams and ensure grants are accurately tracked.
- In close coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning teams and programs Managers, s/he ensures clear programs' monitoring systems are in place; quality, transparency and accountability are maintained throughout all phases of programs' implementations.
- Work with Program Directors and Managers to monitor adherence to grant agreements, Mercy Corps' policies and procedures and relevant donors' rules and regulations; Ensure relevant staff are trained in these areas with the relevant support within Mercy Corps;
- Ensure compliance risks/issues are proactively and well identified, registered and monitored within programs
- Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and aligned with Mercy Corps' principles, values, global strategic roadmap, and Niger country strategy.
- Support Program Directors and Managers to oversee performance of partners, sub-grantees, and technical contractors.
- Conduct frequent field visits to all project sites for monitoring, quality control and program staff mentoring and coaching.
- Build up programs' staff capacity and ensure effective and qualitative program implementation
- Accomplish any other business as required, as a country team member
Other
- Conduct him/herself 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.
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 towards 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: Advocacy and Communication Officer
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Country Director
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: all country team (Programs/ops); Regional & HQ Program Teams; Technical Support Unit; New Initiative and Resource Development teams
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- BA/S or equivalent in Agriculture, Economics, International development or other relevant field. MA/S preferred.
- At least four years of overseas experience including at least 3 years in Programs development, Program Management, Business development, Grant Management, etc.
- Experience managing humanitarian relief and/or transitional programs in areas affected chronic food and nutritional insecurity, climate change, cyclical drought, etc.
- Previous experience working in Francophone Africa is strongly preferred.
- Proven track record in program design, proposal writing and development, and donor reporting.
- Experience managing programs in relevant technical area(s) including food security, Agriculture, economic recovery, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction, NRM, livelihoods, financial services and financial inclusion, etc. in an extremely food insecure environment.
- Strong Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) skills.
- Knowledge of major donor requirements and compliance issues.
- Management skills with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meeting deadlines, and working independently and cooperatively with team members.
- Skilled in partnering with private sector and civil society organizations, public/government entities, local NGOs;
- Fluency in written and oral French and English is required.
- Good knowledge and experience of the Sahel context is a great advantage
- Solid knowledge of and experience with security protocols is essential.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Grant and Business Manager will have good experience in Grants Management, needs assessment, program design and business development in complex areas affected by chronic food insecurity and malnutrition and climate change patterns. S/he will have exceptional program development and proposal writing skills, and an outstanding ability to design, implement and manage innovative programs that respond to current needs and reinforce the future program structure of Mercy Corps in Niger and in the region. S/he will have proven experience with cross-cultural teams, with solid leadership and communication skills. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic visioning 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. Patience, tenacity, diplomacy and a sense of humor will contribute to success.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
While the security situation is volatile in the Sahel regions, security is quite stable in Niamey. The position is entitled to individual housing and is not eligible for R&R and hardship. This is an accompanied post. International schools are available. There is good access to electricity and water, though there are occasional electrical outages. Access to quality health care is limited. There are a number of clinics in town, but serious illnesses will require evacuation. Internet is available in all Mercy Corps offices. Travel to field sites will be required, where living conditions (water, electricity, food) are basic in some places. There is reasonable access to most consumer goods in Niamey.
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. Staff 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.
How to apply:
Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=dGNoYWJvdW5pLjk2NjU4LjM4MzBAbWVyY3ljb3Jwcy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20